FAQs
|
| LSAT & Admissions | LSAT 180 Course | Results & Guarantees | "Sliding Scale" Tuition |
| The LSAT & Admissions | ||
|
Q) 1. What does the LSAT test? If it's an "aptitude" test, how is it even possible to train for it? Is your Course just a bunch of tricks? A) If the LSAT were truly an "aptitude" test, it would not be possible to raise scores as we do every day. But as one critic said, "the LSAT is a test of how well you take LSATs." We teach people how to take LSATs very well. Whether you call them "tricks," "methods," or (as we usually do) "Formulas," what we teach is exactly what high scorers do that makes them high scorers. By teaching you the LSAT Formulas, we make you a high scorer.
|
||
|
Q) 2. What's on the LSAT? What does it specifically test? A) The LSAT is superficially a test of reading comprehension, logical reasoning ("arguments"), and "analytical reasoning" (logical puzzles), delivered in four scored 35-minute multiple-choice sections -- plus an unscored "experimental" section and an unscored Writing Sample. But the LSAT is really a test of how well you've learned to deal
with the specific, idiosyncratic demands of the individual question
types, underlying principles and definitions, and timing, pacing
and intelligent guessing strategies that are totally unique to the
LSAT. In short, as one of its critics puts it, the LSAT is a test
of how well you take LSATs."
|
||
|
Q) 3. What's a "good" score? What do I need to score to get into a good school? A) Depends what you mean by a "good" school. You can think of the LSAT score curve as similar to the SATs -- a 150 is like a 500; a 160 is a 600; a 170 is equivalent to a 700. Middle-range schools will accept scores around 150; more highly
regarded schools require scores in the upper 150s; more competitive
schools take scores in the 160s; and top schools require scores
in the upper 160s or 170s.
|
||
|
Q)
4: How important is the LSAT in the admissions process?
Will a strong GPA make up for a low LSAT score? A) At most schools, the LSAT is the #1 criterion for admissions, outweighing the GPA, Personal Statement, recommendations, extracurriculars, job and volunteer experience COMBINED. You can see this for yourself on the lsac.org website "admissions
likelihood" calculator.
|
||
|
Q)
5. Why do they put so much weight on one stupid test
anyway? A) We don't know. Ask them. Oh, that's right -- they'll deny that they're doing so in the first
place.
|
||
|
Q)
6. Should I take the LSAT more than once? A) In a perfect world, no -- most schools average multiple scores. But if you've already taken the exam once and put a score on record that is less than you're capable of, you MUST take it again, and show them the highest score you can get
|
||
|
Q)
7. If I work really hard, how much is it realistic
to go up? A) The amount of score increase that's possible is literally without limit, except for the numeric maximum score of 180. Every year or so, the record increase -- currently 36 points from
PreTest to real thing, held by Aaron Trager (Brandeis '02) -- goes
up.
|
||
|
Q)
8. I've heard the October exam is tougher. Are some
exam dates easier than others? A)
Total urban myth; they're all the same. They have to be; it's a
"standardized" exam.
|
||
|
Q)
9. I just don't test well -- never have, and probably
never will. I totally hate standardized tests. Is there any hope
for me? A) Of course there is. Most people who "don't test well" just lack proper training. We've had some of our greatest point-increases from people who
swore they were "hopeless" before our training process.
|
||
|
Q)
10. When is the best time to take the LSAT? When is
the best time to take a course? A) Right now! Just kidding. The best time to take the exam is AT LEAST one year before you want to start law school. But the best date to train for, if you can, is the June exam.
|
||
| The LSAT 180 Course | ||
|
Q)
1. Why should I take TestWell instead of Kaplan, Princeton
Review, or any other LSAT Course? A) The only reason that matters in choosing a training method is results. Everything else is completely meaningless. Any course feature matters only if it leads to higher score increases. The LSAT 180 Course has the highest independently-verified average increase of any LSAT Course anywhere -- over 30% higher than Kaplan's or Princeton Review's verified results. And the consistency of our results is unprecedented in the industry, with over 99% of our students increasing (as indicated by refund requests from the most recent full year). Proud as we are of all the course features that get us these industry-best results -- many more instructional hours; a curriculum filled with unique, proprietary strategies; live PracTests with instructor review; instructors with much higher scores and much more experience -- they only matter insofar as they give our students greater, more consistent score increases.
|
||
|
Q) 2. Why should I take TestWell instead of training on my own? What can you do for me that I can't do for myself? A) The LSAT is a totally counterintuitive exam -- meaning, most of what is required to attain a maximum score is completely against common sense. There are literally hundreds of specific methods, definitions, procedures, shortcuts, timesavers, and frankly, tricks that are required to score a personal best. The odds of anyone figuring out ALL of them for themselves are pretty slim. And, in 40 hours of instructional time and 4 to 25 live PracTests, we do literally teach EVERY SINGLE ONE of those hundreds of specific things. That's why we've raised the scores of students who STARTED their training with scores as high as 170-175 -- and then went up, attributing the increases not just to "practice effect," or to the imposed discipline of sitting in a classroom, but to the specific techniques we taught them that they would not have figured out for themselves. If we can do that for people starting in the 170s, imagine what we can do for you.
|
||
|
Q)
3. Aren't all LSAT Courses pretty much the same, except
for the bells'n'whistles? A) That's what they'd like you to believe. And most other courses really DO teach pretty similar approaches, in pretty similar ways. But the content differences in LSAT 180 are nothing short of dramatic.
When students who have already taken other courses then take ours
-- which happens with increasing frequency every year -- we often
have them count how many specific things they've learned from us
that they DIDN'T learn in the other course. We usually stop counting
when they get above 400 -- which they always do.
|
||
|
Q)
4. Do these courses really do anything more than provide
access to practice materials and some kind of imposed discipline? A) Ours does. Other courses often don't. If you ask people who took them, you'll find that the single most common comment you'll probably get is, "Well I didn't really learn anything new, but the practice materials and..." Well, you see where this is going. In 40 hours of instructional time, LSAT 180 students really learn
things that they would not have figured out for themselves, no matter
how smart, no matter how good at taking tests.
|
||
|
Q) 5. What actually happens in the classes? A) You'll learn -- by doing, working with REAL LSAT questions -- EVERY single aspect of the exam, and how to deal with each in ways that work for you individually. (Other firms often use simulated questions that do not reliably match the real LSATs unique "Formulas," and generally teach only one method for each Question type. They also tend to oversimplify the exam, in the interest of making for shorter lessons and less total classroom time.) Most of the Course content is industry-unique, and our proprietary methods are demonstrably more effective and efficient than those taught in mass-market courses. You'll learn from instructors who have proven that they can do it themselves, with REAL LSAT scores of 172-180 (99th %-ile), and of demonstrated teaching ability, with at least two years of prior teaching experience. (Other firms hire as low as 162, and require no prior teaching experience.)
|
||
|
A) Two reasons: first, we've really got that much more to teach than any other Course. You will be working hard every minute of those five hours. Second, industry-standard 3 hour classes don't train you to the stamina you'll need for the real LSAT -- which is a four hour exam. TestWell students build test-taking concentration and stamina from their very first Lesson.
|
||
|
Q)
7. What does it mean when you say you have "special
techniques and materials for very high scorers?" A) Mass-market courses are for mass-market students -- the 70% of the population that will score between 140 and 160. They cover the basics, the fundamentals, to some degree -- and the techniques they teach are often simplified, "dumbed-down" methods that might be appropriate to the needs of some student scoring 140 and trying desperately to get to a 150. But higher scoring students are in need of more sophisticated, more powerful, more efficient higher-scoring techniques. LSAT 180 methods are not just the same techniques in a different course; they are radically different, industry-unique processes that have been developed over a decade of serving higher-scoring students at Harvard, Brown, Dartmouth, BC, Brandeis, Tufts, Wellesley, and other "highly competitive" schools. That doesn't mean we're ONLY for high scorers; mid and low scorers
learn MUCH more and score much higher than they might have thought
they could, by learning high-scorers' techniques. We routinely take
students from the 140s to the 160s and from the 150s to the 170s
-- increases nearly unheard of in mass-market courses.
|
||
|
Q)
8. How big are your classes? A) Classes range from as small as 3 or 4 to as large as 25 to 30, depending upon the experience level and personality of the instructor. For the past several years, our average class size has been about 14. However, class size is not the issue most people think. Because classroom interaction is a crucial part of the training process, a LARGER class, up to a surprisingly big number, is actually better. The personalization of the LSAT 180 Course is the highest in the industry, as we are the only ones who recognize that all students don't think the same way. That's why we always teach multiple methods of attacking every aspect of the LSAT, and then work WITH you to find the ways that work FOR you individually.
|
||
|
Q)
9. Do you split your classes by ability? A)
Of course not; it's a terrible idea -- as any professional educator
will tell you.
|
||
|
Q)
10. Do I need to start with the PreTest? What if I've
never even looked at an LSAT before? What should I do before taking
the PreTest? A) It's best to start with our PreTest, so you'll have a context in which the Lessons will make sense, and to get your Personal Performance Analysis -- the industry's most detailed and personalized breakdown of exam performance. However, this is not NECESSARY, and students often self-administer the PreTest after joining the Course at Lesson 1 or even L2. You should do NOTHING before taking the PreTest -- so we can get an accurate cold read on the extent to which you think the LSAT way already... and how and where you don't. Most people have never even seen an LSAT before taking our PreTest,
and it's best that way, since there's so much misinformation about
the LSAT floating around.
|
||
|
Q)
11. What should I do before starting the class? A)
Absolutely nothing; you want to start out "clean slate."
|
||
|
Q)
12. Do you have explanations of every question on
every real LSAT? A) Of course. But what's more important is that we offer something much, much better. We do LIVE PracTests -- full timed-and-proctored exams with live-instructor Q+A sessions after -- anywhere from 4 to 25 (or more) per semester, depending upon the season and your school's location. Of course, we're the only course anywhere that does this -- or
anything even close to it.
|
||
|
Q)
13. Why the emphasis on REAL LSATs? What's wrong with
practice tests from other sources if I want more to practice with? A) The LSAT is a unique and idiosyncratic exam; no other source correctly matches the look or feel -- let alone the specific Formulas -- of the real thing. Working with fake LSATs is not only unhelpful, it can actually teach you wrong, by training you to processes that will backfire on the real exam.
|
||
|
Q)
14. How much outside work is required for your Course? A) As with everything, the more you can put in, the more you're likely to get out. (You knew we'd say that.) At a minimum, a few hours a week. At the maximum, after about Lesson
5, you should ideally be doing two to three full real exams per
week, and reviewing them thoroughly.
|
||
|
Q)
15. Is there any way to make up a missed class? A)
There are two ways. Live (by going to any other "open"
section on the schedule) and Memorex (on video in our office, by
appointment).
|
||
|
Q)
16. What if I need more help? Is extra help available? A)
Of course. Personal questions are always welcome before, during,
and after class and during breaks, and your instructors are always
available -- usually at set "office hour" access times
-- by e-mail, phone, or both.
|
||
|
Q)
17. Why do some of your Courses end so far before
the exam date? Shouldn't I train closer to the date of my test? A) You WILL be training right up to the day of your test - but with PracTests. At that point, the Lesson part of the training should be well behind you. The LSAT is totally unlike subject-based exams, where you would want to learn the material shortly before being tested on it. But since the LSAT is purely about technique, not subject mastery, you want to learn the methods and processes as far in advance as you can, and then allow as much time as possible for practice, review, and correction. The longer you give yourself to practice, the greater the score
increase you're likely to enjoy.
|
||
|
Q)
18. How will I know how I'm doing or when I'm ready
to take the real exam? A) The Real-LSAT Practice and Review Sessions with live-instructor review -- the PracTests -- will reliably indicate where you're scoring, and how your score is tracking as you approach your exam day. And the Personal Performance Analyses® that come with your PreTest, MidTerm, Final, and selected PracTests will give you both reliable feedback, and the industry's most detailed, accurate breakdown of performance -- the only one to assess trap answer types for every single answer that you miss.
|
||
|
Q)
19. Will there be any feedback available on exam day? A) Of course. We always meet to "debrief" the exam, to determine the overall and section-by-section level of difficulty, and to predict the score curve, which we usually do with great accuracy. We can help you make the crucial "keep-or-cancel" decision
in the most informed, educated way possible.
|
||
|
Q)
20. I have problems with only part of the exam
do I have to buy the full Course to get just what I need? A) No, we're happy to sell individual Lessons, or even parts of Lessons, and any number of live PracTests, a-la-carte. For the many people concerned only with the Puzzles, we even have a special package called "Puzzles-Plus," which consists of the Puzzles-relevant Lessons, plus the PreTest, MidTerm, Final, and as many PracTests as you wish, for only $495 (or less if you'd be in the bottom two tiers of the "Sliding Scale" price schedule).
|
||
|
Q)
21. I want one-on-one tutoring; do you do that? Why
don't I see it mentioned as an option on your website? A) We're happy to serve you any way you wish to be served. Our tutors are the most qualified in the industry, with much more experience, and with scores of up to 18 points more than the so-called "experts" at mass-market firms -- some of whom have never even taken a REAL LSAT! But very few people are better served in a tutoring environment than in the Course environment. With 40 hours of actual teaching time in the Course, and with tutoring often going more SLOWLY than classroom learning, private tutoring is for most people a less efficient, more expensive way of achieving the same ends.
|
||
|
Q) 22. Are there TestWell classes anywhere but New England? A) We've now licensed Brody Admissions, of Chicago, to present the LSAT 180 Course in their market areas. So far, they are the only people who have met our stringent qualifications for presenting the LSAT 180 Course -- scores in the 99th %-ile, and over two years of teaching experience -- plus a commitment to bring superior LSAT training to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances.
|
||
|
Q)
23. Is there any way to see what you do without buying
the whole course? A) Certainly, there are two ways. First, we run "Free REAL LSAT Exam and Class" events at area schools 2-4 times a year. Second, if you cannot attend one of those, you can sit the first half of Lesson 1 and, if you choose not to stay the Course at that point, get a full refund (Lesson materials must be turned back in).
|
||
|
Q)
24. If you're so good, how come I've never hear of
you before? A) Good question. It's all about the money. We spend over SIX TIMES what the other firms do in per-student instructional costs, and much more in materials costs as well -- yet we charge LESS tuition. It's partly the marketing that loses out. We spend virtually NOTHING on advertising, so nearly all our business
is from word-of-mouth.
|
||
|
Q)
1. Do you guarantee a certain score increase? A) We guarantee that your score will go up, or your tuition will be refunded (see "guarantees," here, for exact terms and requirements). That may not sound like much, but it's more than any other firm in the entire industry has EVER guaranteed to ALL of their students. Other firms have guarantees that they turn on and off with changing market conditions. Only LSAT 180 has ALWAYS had the confidence to give EVERY student a 100% money-back guarantee.
|
||
|
Q)
2. What do I have to do to get a "free repeat?"
How long is your "free repeat" guarantee good for? A)Nothing -- it's yours for the taking, completely unconditional. The free repeat guarantee is normally good for four test dates beyond the test date initially trained for -- in other words, up to a year and a third from date of enrollment. We WANT you to fully utilize your free repeat guarantee -- since the longer you train, the more of an increase you'll see. Since the LSAT score alone counts for MORE than four years' worth of college GPA, it only makes sense to put in as much time and effort as is individually necessary to get your personal best.
|
||
|
Q)
3. If I work really hard, how much is it realistic
to go up? A) The amount of score increase that's possible is literally without limit, except for the numeric maximum score of 180. Every year or so, the record increase -- currently 36 points from
PreTest to real thing, held by Aaron Trager (Brandeis '02)
-- goes up.
|
||
|
Q)
4. I don't have a lot of time to devote to this --
how much can I go up if I just want to get a few tips and pointers? A)
We've seen people go up as much as 15 points from just a few live
or video Lessons purchased a-la-carte, and in as little as one month.
|
||
|
Q)
5. Everyone claims to be the best -- why should I
believe you over anyone else? We've got 'em; they don't. We prove it; they can't. Everything else is distraction. Our students' average increase is the highest independently-verified average increase of any LSAT Course anywhere -- over 30% higher than Kaplan's and Princeton's advertised claims. Since the only reason to take an LSAT Course is to score more, this is the only criterion that matters. Except, of course, for the CONSISTENCY of score increases. Since no other firm posts the distribution of increases (here), you'll have to draw your own conclusions.
|
||
|
Q)
1. What do I have to do to be eligible for a "Sliding
Scale" Price? A) If you're a student, and you receive ANY need-based financial aid that is given to you outright (loans, work-study, and merit awards are not included), you're eligible. If you're not a student, are financially independent, and make less than our ceiling income (currently $32K), you're eligible. We want EVERYONE to be able to get the most effective LSAT training
anywhere, regardless of background or circumstances.
|
||
|
Q) 2. That's still a lot of money; what makes it worth this much? A) What would you pay if someone could guarantee you admission into your first choice school? Unless your parents know one of the Trustees, raising your LSAT score is the nearest thing you can get to guaranteeing your acceptance. And with the law school you attend making a huge difference in
the starting salary you can command as a graduate, considered as
an investment, the LSAT 180 Course is like buying Microsoft at the
IPO.
|
||
|
Q)
3. It's a lot to come
up with all at once -- can I spread out my payments over time? A)
Yes. We want everyone to be able to take our training. Payment plans
can be arranged by credit or debit card, or in the form of a sequence
of post-dated checks backed up by a credit or debit card. However,
there is a fee for this service.
|
||
|
Q)
4. If I both work AND go to school, which price list
should I be looking at? A)
If you're a full-time student, the student list would apply, regardless
of whether you're working or not. If you're a part-time student
working full time, the non-student rates would apply. But if you're
a part-time student working part-time, you will need to talk to
a TestWell administrator about your specific circumstances.
|
||
|
Q)
5. Does my tuition cover everything? Or are there
materials I have to buy, shipping or administrative costs, or other
hidden charges? A)
Of course not. Your tuition covers everything you need, from
45 hours of live class time and 4 to 25 live PracTests to the CourseBook,
WorkBook, and personal copies of 28 REAL LSATs. The remaining exams
(PrepTests 29 to the present) are available for free use as "library"
copies in our PracTests or offices, or you can buy take-home, "keeper"
copies of those for the same $8 apiece that LSAC charges - no additional
dealer markup.
|
||
|
Q)
6. When are payments due? What do I have to do to
guarantee a place in a class? A) Some classes do sell out. A deposit of $250 -- which is refundable until the start date of the class if your plans change (except for sold-out classes, for which the refund period extends to one week before the course's start date) -- will guarantee you a place in any Course. The balance is payable when the class begins.
|
||