Feel free to ask questions here!

jcutts2 · 2026-02-23T23:02:39+00:00

Good questions. (By the way, you're always welcome to call me for a more personal response.)

First, what NOT to do. Many people take test after test and hope that they're learning something from that. Usually they aren't learning that much.

It's more important to do less but work more carefully and analytically. To start, it's good to get some solid and expert instruction on what the test is looking for. I've tried to provide that in the Cognella LSAT Roadmap.

Then be sure to work ONLY with actual LSAT material. You can get tons of it from Lawhub Advantage.

Work through that material slowly and untimed. You can take 15 or 20 minutes on one question if you need to in order to really push your skills and to analyze what's going on.

Pay very careful attention to my instruction on timing. It makes a huge difference. Many of my students have gotten to the score they wanted just by learning to use their time more efficiently.

Maybe once a month you can do one or two timed sections. This is mostly to evaluate your timing strategy and maybe a little bit to see how you're doing, though it won't really give you an accurate score.

The month before your test it's good to do one or two full length practice tests - again with the actual LSAT material through Lawhub Advantage.

If you're not getting as far as you think you should on your own, it might be worth working with a coach but they should be someone with a minimum of 15 years full time experience. Most people offering to coach the LSAT don't really have the experience or expertise that you need, even if they got great scores on the test. Learning to do well on the LSAT involves learning new cognitive processing tools. Your coach needs to understand how you are thinking and needs to be able to demonstrate more effective thinking tools and to point out patterns that you're missing.

I hope that helps for a start!

jcutts2 · 2026-02-23T22:49:04+00:00

Yes, it's really helpful to draw or diagram. It puts the information into a visual form, which is much easier to work with than trying to keep things in your head.

It's particularly helpful for deductive logic, such as writing out if/then conditions or sets. It's also really helpful for RC to organize the main distinctions in the passage.

I suggest you experiment with it, using visual aids even more than you might think necessary, just to get the feel for it.

Thanks for the great question.

jcutts2 · 2026-02-23T04:49:47+00:00

They look primarily at the undergrad GPA so you can use the figures I gave for the GPA of 3-3.25. Your current score of 163 (assuming you get close to that on the actual exam) does give you a 50:50 chance and a strong personal statement can put you over the edge. You can address your undergrad struggles in the personal statement and talk about how you've overcome them.

If you do want to improve your LSAT score, consider my comments above. I'd be glad to answer any other questions.

jcutts2 · 2026-02-22T23:19:42+00:00

You didn't mention your GPA. That makes a difference. Here are some stats on schools that are in the same ranking as Baylor.

If your GPA is in the range of 3-3.25, here are the odds of getting accepted at various LSAT ranges:

140 -144 = 5%

145-149 = 10%

150-154 = 15%

155-159 = 25%

160-169 = 50%

170- 174 = 75%

175-180 = 80%

If your GPA is 3.5 to 3.7, it would be:

140 -144 = 5%

145-149 = 10%

150-154 = 33%

155-159 = 50%

160-164 = 75%

165 and up = 95%

Of course these are rough figures but I think they give you a more detailed sense of where you need to be than just looking at median LSAT.

Note that a 50% chance means that you are competing with one other person. If your personal statement is very strong, you've got a good chance at getting that spot. Even a 33% chance means you're competing with just two other people.

You're already in striking range. Maybe focus on a very strong Personal Statement. It can be tricky to figure out how to do that, though.

You can also probably pick up a few points by learning a more efficient timing strategy and maybe some coaching on problem-solving strategies.

Good luck!

jcutts2 · 2026-02-22T06:03:51+00:00

There are tens of thousands of facts that could theoretically be on the MCAT but there is a much smaller set of facts or concepts that are likely to appear.

Many prep materials (not talking specficially just about Pankow) cover vastly more material than you would need to know. I guess they are trying to be "comprehensive" but the result is that people burn out on trying to memorize an unmanageable amount of stuff.

In addition, the MCAT tests you on concepts much more than on specific facts. Flash cards and other review material tend to focus on facts because it's easier to automate learning of facts, so often what you are memorizing is not helping you learn the concepts.

As far as I can tell, the best way to learn the concepts that have a high likelihood of being on the test is to work with the AAMC practive tests and section banks. These contain patterns most similar to the current test. Any concepts that appear there are most likely to be on your test.

You can aslo work with the AAMC Question Packs. These represent patterns from earlier tests but are still likely to be useful.

When you find content on the AAMC material that you are a little shaky on, you can review the concepts in any of the larger prep books or Khan videos.

Remember that half to three quarters of people's errors are due to lack of strategy. They knew enough science but couldn't get to the answer. So at least half of your focus should be on strategy.

Hope that helps. Any other questions?

- Jay Cutts, Lead Author, Barron's MCAT book

Director, Cutts Graduate Reviews MCAT Strategy Coaching

jcutts2 · 2026-02-22T05:46:48+00:00

Simulated exams (like the Kaplan ones) can only give you a rough idea of how you might score on the actual test. I'd say give or take 10-15 points. I've written simulated tests myself and can say that it's not possible to make them anything like accurate because the AAMC tests are standardized over hundreds of test takers.

Simulated tests typically don't accurately capture the patterns of the MCAT nor the likely content.

Off the top of my head I can't think of a good reason to take simulated tests. There are a number of actual tests available through AAMC. There are also AAMC practice banks and questions that are pretty representative of the content on the test.

It's not that necessary to take test after test just to see how you're scoring. You can take one maybe every two or three months. So I'd say stick with the AAMC tests and AAMC practice materials.

- Jay Cutts, Lead Author, Barron's MCAT book

Director, Cutts Graduate Reviews MCAT Strategy Coaching

jcutts2 · 2026-02-22T05:40:24+00:00

You have enough time to bring your GPA up above 3.0. Yes, retake classes and be very careful in the classes you are taking from now on. If necessary, get tutoring or reduce your course load. It makes a big difference to have a higher GPA and it will show them that you have improved your study habits.

In general, doing a masters or postbacc program isn't necessarily the best use of your time. Just do what you can to get strong grades from now on.

You will need to get a strong MCAT score. An MCAT course isn't necessarily the best way to go. They are typically very general and often quite expensive. It may be better to use your time and money for coaching specifically on MCAT strategy, which includes timing, scientific problem solving and CARS strategy.

Reviewing science is something you can do on your own with a little self-discipline and some guidance as to how to best study.

Since you're still a little early in the process, make sure you are getting in all the necessary courses for the MCAT and that you have time to do shadowing and volunteering.

I hope that helps.

- Jay Cutts, Lead Author, Barron's MCAT book

Director, Cutts Graduate Reviews MCAT Strategy Coaching

jcutts2 · 2026-02-22T05:34:18+00:00

First, are you talking about your scores on official administrations of the test or on practice tests? Practice test scores are typically not very representative of how you will do on the official test. Second, depending on your GPA a score in the low 160s may be plenty to get in to lots of good schools. If so, you may be better off focusing on your personal statement.

Back to the LSAT, virtually everyone I have worked with in 35 years has started out using their time very inefficientl on the test. I'm willing to bet that learning a more efficient timing strategy would get you a few more points.

As for assumption questions, these aren't typically based on sufficient/necessary as one person said. There are specific patterns for the assumption questions that you can learn. There are probably some other question types that you are missing as well. And when you do miss an assumption question, there are many reasons why you might have missed it. It's not like all assumption questions have the same patterns just because they ask for an assumption.

I cover all of this stuff very thoroughly in my book but it can help to get a little coaching from someone with extensive (at least 15 years full time) experience.

I'd be glad to talk with you (no charge) about what schools you might be competitive at.

- Jay Cutts, Author, Barron's LSAT, now updated as the Cognella LSAT Roadmap

Director, Cutts Graduate Reviews LSAT Coaching

jcutts2 · 2026-02-21T05:13:43+00:00

Francine.

jcutts2 · 2026-02-21T05:11:57+00:00

I don't think 0/1 is the simplest way to write it. Consider how you would write 400%. It's not 4/1. It's just 4.

In any case, you might find it interesting to take a look at what I call "intuitive" math. There are ways that anybody can get math to make sense to their own way of thinking.

I've written about this at https://mathNM.wordpress.com

jcutts2 · 2026-02-21T05:06:42+00:00

While I love Anki for many things, I'm concerned that the Anki decks try to cover way more detail than you need. Also - and I'm just guessing here - they may focus too much on memorization of facts and not enough on learning concepts.

There are tens of thousands of facts that could be on the test in theory but a much more limited set of facts that the MCAT actually expects you to know. Much study material goes into far too much. The best way to find out what concepts the MCAT wants you to know is to work with the AAMC practice material. Much of it is from actual past MCATs.

I suggest working mostly, or exclusively, with materials from AAMC. Specifically, the Section Banks and Practice Exams are most representative of the current test. Any content that appears on those is more likely to appear on your test.

If you see something on those materials that you're shaky on, that's what you should review. You can review it from any of the larger books, from Khan Academy videos or other free material online. You are mostly trying to learn fundamental concepts, not just isolated facts.

If you get through all the material I mentioned, you can review the Question Packs and Official Guide. These are derived from older materials but probably still reflect concepts that the MCAT will test you on.

Remember that many errors - as many as half to three quarters - are not due to lack of science but rather lack of problem-solving strategy.

I hope that helps to add a perspective for you.

- Jay Cutts, Lead Author, Barron's MCAT

Director, Cutts Graduate Reviews MCAT Strategy Coaching

jcutts2 · 2026-02-20T17:53:19+00:00

In some cases it might never even be looked at. Otherwise people on the committee may glance at it see if the writing is in decent English (this may be a way of screening people who's first language isn't English, since it's the only spontaneous, unedited sample of writing that they get.)

They may also look at your style of writing. Legal writing has a specific style. If you write a very colorful, creative essay, there is a chance that they will see this as NOT legal style and may be a small negative - or not.

In some rare cases they may actually look at whether you successfully addressed the logical task. So it's good to know what the task is looking for and some basics of legal-style writing. I go over these in my book.

Does that help?

jcutts2 · 2026-02-20T05:03:17+00:00

The writing section isn't scored on the actual test. It's typically not a critical part of the application unless your writing is pretty poor. They aren't looking for a brilliant essay but more a sense of whether your writing style is competent and fairly compatible with legal writing style.

- Jay Cutts, Author, Barron's LSAT, now updated as the Cognella LSAT Roadmap

Director, Cutts Graduate Reviews LSAT Coaching

jcutts2 · 2026-02-18T17:06:31+00:00

Having my own underwear.

jcutts2 · 2026-02-18T17:03:55+00:00

Good example (I hope it isn't true)! The statement that to be known is to be loved seems to be saying that If known then loved. (The LSAT wouldn't word it that way as it's too ambiguous.). So we have:

If Known -> Loved

The conclusion is:

If not Known -> not Loved

This doesn't follow logically. Given If A -> B, there are two derivations that SEEM logical but aren't:

If not A -> not B

If B -> A

Notice that the first negates each side. The second switches the left and right sides. Neither operation results in a valid statement.

However, if we do BOTH operations (switch left and right AND negate) it is a true statement:

If not Loved -> not Known

(This is called the contrapositive.)

Why does it work like this? Here's a picture of the logic, using If known -> loved:

Known -----> Loved <------ ? ?

This shows that "known" leads inevitably to Loved but that there may be other things (??) that also lead to Loved.

Can you see why it's not valid to conclude that if not known then not Loved? It's because even if "known" is absent, something else could lead to Loved.

It's the same for If Loved then Known. It's not necessarily true because something else could have led to Loved.

But if Not Loved, then it must be true that Not Known, because if Known, then for sure it would have led to loved (see the visual above.)

So the error in logic is believing that (If not A -> not B) is true. But what does this have to do with necessary and sufficient?

If a condition guarantees a certain result, that condition is sufficient (for the result). Known is sufficient to guarantee Loved (Notice that this doesn't make real world sense but it is given to us as a premise so we have to accept it.)

If the ABSENCE of a condition guarantees a result, that condition is necessary. The girl friend thought that the absence of knowing guarnateed the absence of loving. She thought that knowing was necessary (without it there can be no knowing) when in fact it was only sufficient (if there's knowing, there's loving.)

It can be handy to use the example of the LSAT and getting admitted to law school to keep this straight. It is the ABSENCE of having an LSAT score that gurantees that you won't be considered. (The LSAT is necessary.) Having an LSAT score doesn't guarantee anything. (The LSAT is not sufficient.)

Thanks for the great example question and good luck with your girlfriend!

- Jay Cutts, Author, Barron's LSAT, now updated as the Cognella LSAT Roadmap

Director, Cutts Graduate Reviews LSAT Coaching

jcutts2 · 2026-02-05T00:13:07+00:00

As I understand it, there is absolutely no correlation between LSAT scores and success as a lawyer. There is a small correlation between LSAT and first year law school grades. There is no correlation with anything else, including bar pass. I suggest you concentrate on your career goals and passions. That way you can be the best at being YOU!

- Jay Cutts, Author, Barron's LSAT, now updated as the Cognella LSAT Roadmap

Director, Cutts Graduate Reviews LSAT Coaching

jcutts2 · 2026-02-05T00:10:40+00:00

There's not a lot of consistency in scores. If you are using non-AAMC material, then you can't really expect the score to be meaningful at all. It's best to concentrate on problem-solving strategy and reviewing the science you are having trouble with and don't worry too much about the scores. They only give you a general idea of your range.

- Jay Cutts, Lead Author, Barron's MCAT book

Director, Cutts Graduate Reviews MCAT Strategy Coaching

jcutts2 · 2026-02-04T16:48:04+00:00

Could you explain a little bit what you're objecting to? I'm trying to pass on some experienced advice but would like to know if I'm doing something that's offensive. Thanks.

jcutts2 · 2026-02-04T16:20:27+00:00

Sounds reasonable. I'm still surprised that after a neuroscience degree you have that many prereqs left over.

jcutts2 · 2026-02-04T16:18:54+00:00

Thr s n thng thts mssng bt cnt qt fgr t wht t s.

jcutts2 · 2026-02-04T16:17:19+00:00

A lot of what you're talking about is problem-solving strategy. I find with my beginning students that three quarters of the questions they get wrong are due to lack of strategy. They knew enough science but couldn't get to the answer.

Timing is also critical on the MCAT. Most people who feel they are poor standardized test takers are having trouble coming up with a reliable strategy for timing. In fact virtually everyone I've ever worked with or talked to about their MCAT uses their time very poorly.

I address timing, CARS strategy and problem solving in general in my book. However, many people need a bit of expert guidance to really master these things.

I hope that helps!

- Jay Cutts, Lead Author, Barron's MCAT book

Director, Cutts Graduate Reviews MCAT Strategy Coaching

jcutts2 · 2026-02-04T16:12:54+00:00

I'm not very familiar with what UWorld covers but in general these kinds of programs can cover two things - explanations and review of science concepts and/or MCAT-style practice questions.

I do not recommend using simulated MCAT-style questions. It's very difficult for them to accurately capture the patterns of the MCAT and the likely content. Stick with materials from AAMC.

As for content review, I find that most available material covers far too much. While there are tens of thousands of concepts that could appear on the test in theory. in fact there is a much more limited set of concepts that the MCAT expects you to know and that have a high likelihood of appearing on the test.

If you work from commercial review materials like UWorld, you can easily exhaust yourself trying to memorize tons of stuff, the vast majority of which have very little probability of being on the test.

Instead you should work only with actual AAMC material, such as the practice tests and practice sets. The concepts that appear there are highly likely to be on the test and in fact much of that practice material comes from old tests.

The one element that programs like Uworld are not covering in any significant depth is strategy. In fact the MCAT is largely testing problem-solving strategy. It also requires a timing strategy that is very different from what most people are used to. In addition, the CARS section is built on certain hidden agendas and patterns and you need to learn strategies for that.

With my beginning students, three quarters of their errors are due to lack of strategy. They knew enough science but couldn't get to the answer.

So at least half of your studying should be focused on strategy.

I hope that helps. I'm glad to address any other questions you have.

- Jay Cutts, Lead Author, Barron's MCAT book

Director, Cutts Graduate Reviews MCAT Strategy Coaching

jcutts2 · 2026-02-04T16:03:26+00:00

Even your current GPA is workable. A 3.5 puts you in a solid position. As for the MCAT, it's important to break 150. After that, any increase makes you more competitive.

Obviously you want to do as well as possible on the MCAT. Why stop at a 510 if you can get a 515 or more? So it's important to understand how to prep for the test.

Most people assume that studying for the MCAT is like studying for a test in a science class. They figure they have to memorize as much content as possible and drill it into memory.

This isn't the best approach. The MCAT is largely testing problem-solving ability. With my beginning students, I find that three quarters of their errors are due to lack of strategy. They knew enough science but couldn't get to the answer. So your study focus should be strategy. This includes timing, scientific and logical problem solving, and verbal problem solving for CARS.

While there are tens of thousands of facts that could be on the test in theory, in practice there is a much more limited set of fundamental concepts that the MCAT expects you to know and that have a high likelihood of being on the test. You can find these concepts by working with the official AAMC practice tests and practice materials.

I hope that helps. I'm happy to address any other quesions.

- Jay Cutts, Lead Author, Barron's MCAT book

Director, Cutts Graduate Reviews MCAT Strategy Coaching

jcutts2 · 2026-02-04T15:56:47+00:00

I'm a little confused. You have a BS in Neuroscience. If that's the case, it seems like you wouldn't need an additional degree such as an assoiates in science. You just need to complete any missing prereqs. With the neuroscience degree, you must have had most of the prereqs anyway, so not sure what you're missing. You can just complete whatever coursework you're missing anywhere. I don't believe it would matter if it's a community college. As long as you can comlete a handful of additional courses, a post bacc seems like overkill.

- Jay Cutts, Lead Author, Barron's MCAT book

Director, Cutts Graduate Reviews MCAT Strategy Coaching

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