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Good for diagramming, flawed as a general approach

Customer Rating:
The LG bible present has positive and negative aspects. On the positive side, they teach some useful techniques for diagramming.

On the negative side, they focus far too much attention on conforming to their techniques at all costs, and on their cumbersome classification scheme for the game types.

The book's dogmatism about their techniques exacerbates students' tendency to fall in the trap of trying to create the "perfect diagram". The authors imply that once you master their diagramming and deduction techniques, the answers will simply flow out. Unfortunately, on a timed test, the perfect diagram's costs are often higher than its benefits. The same goes for the initial deductions that they stress- they are useful, but not always worth the time.

The book's classification scheme of games into more than a dozen types is unwieldy. I have gained very little insight into the games based on their classifications, which they encourage readers to memorize. The authors should remember their audience: most of us don't want to be LSAT taxonomists. The emphasis on the diversity of game types leads the authors to downplay the commonalities between the different kinds of games (for example, the question types and the procedures for answering each question type, which are largely the same).

Personally, I would recommend combining PowerScore's diagramming techniques with the approach suggested in the Big Fat Genius Guide to Logic Games. Nonetheless, I don't dispute that many people find the Powerscore book useful- but if it's not doing the trick for you, it's worth exploring other options!

Don't Waste Your Money on Other Prep Courses!

Customer Rating:
This is the first time I've ever taken the time to write a review for a product, but I couldn't not say something about the quality of the PowerScore books. Let me say, I started preparing for the February 2010 LSAT in December 2009, and I did so by taking a $1300 Kaplan prep course. I scored a 148 on my diagnostic, and my scores with Kaplan never rose above a 153. I often felt as though their explanations weren't thorough, and it seemed as if whenever something was difficult to explain, it was simply labeled as "out of scope" -- not very helpful in understanding why incorrect answers are incorrect. So I took the LSAT in February and got a disappointing, but not surprising, 152.

I wanted at least a 156, so I planned to take the June 2010 LSAT, but decided to try a new study method. I'd heard about the Bibles, so I ordered the LG & LR Bibles. Overall, I liked their format. Yes, they are wordy, but they are THOROUGH. I went through them slowly and carefully, especially the LG Bible, as logic games were my weak spot. After finishing both bibles, I took my first full length test since the Feb LSAT, and got a 160. That was literally doing no other practice than reading the Bibles.

Ultimately, I ended up taking about 10 full length exams, never dipping below a 160 again, and peaking at 168. I took the June 2010 LSAT, and though I felt that it was quite difficult, I decided not to cancel my score, and ended up with a 165, way above the 156 that I wanted, and quite a leap from anything I'd ever done with Kaplan.

Basically, I'm telling you that there is absolutely no need to spend $1300 on a prep course (or at least not at first). Buy these books and go through them carefully, taking the time to understand each concept. THEN, if you aren't scoring where you want to, consider a course. I wish I'd tried the Bibles first... I would've had to take the LSAT only once, and I could've saved a ton of money.

Great Book.

Customer Rating:
This book is great. I bought it and the examcrackers series of books. I believe that for most people this book and some of the "Official Test Preps" practice tests are all you will need or want. I'm not saying examcrackers is bad (cause it is a good set), its just this book gave me much more help than the others.

The book gives you great practice for the games section. The symbols it teaches you are more efficient than other books. The book gives walk through for the sections after you have did the practices. The walkthrough are very thorough. The walkthrough actually point out bits of information and observations that can really help improve your score. Some of the advice the book gives will speed up your initial "breakthrough" moment of the scenario/setup.

With official practice tests, this book, and some time to DO BOTH your score will increase.

LSAT help

Customer Rating:
My son said this explained the test in a really easy to understand manner. He had a class at school and the teacher taught the same way, very helpful.

Dull language

Customer Rating:
Try LSAT Logic Games for dummies. It won't put you to sleep the way this book will.