The LSAT Simplified: A Hey Future Lawyer Podcast

Check out everything here!In this episode, Ben breaks down an email from a 3.9 GPA applicant sitting on a 152 LSAT who is determined to apply this cycle anyway. He walks through why that choice could cost her hundreds of thousands of dollars, using real numbers from schools like Toledo and Michigan State to show how debt to income works in the real world.You will hear a frank discussion of why the LSAT actually does define your options, why "not wanting to wait" is baby thinking when six figures are on the line, and how...

Ben opens this episode by examining the rapid rise of LSAT accommodations and asking whether the emperor wears no clothes when people claim that extra time creates fairness. He uses recent research to show how time based accommodations change the nature of the LSAT and reduce its ability to predict first year law school performance.He walks through findings that extended time LSAT scores tend to overpredict law school GPA and explains why this happens when timing pressure is removed from a skills based exam. Ben then connects these results to broader cultural trends in higher education...

👉 Find everything at linktr.ee/heyfuturelawyerIn this episode of the Hey Future Lawyer Podcast, Ben breaks down everything pre-law students need heading into Thanksgiving—how to handle unsolicited advice, how to respond to relatives who don’t understand the LSAT, and how to avoid rushing into law school prematurely. He explains why applying late cripples scholarship chances and outlines what actually determines long-term law school ROI.Ben also gives a sneak peek at Black Friday LSAT deals, the limited admissions-consulting spots he’s opening, and major updates to the HeyFutureLawyer drilling algorithm. He walks through t...

👉 Find everything here: linktr.ee/heyfuturelawyer In today’s episode, Ben breaks down two major new tools on HeyFutureLawyer.com—our law school Outcomes Calculator (heyfuturelawyer.com/outcomes) and our brand-new ROI Calculator (heyfuturelawyer.com/ROI-calculator). Ben walks through how to use each tool, the data behind them, and the surprising “hidden gem” law schools that outperform their rankings in real employment outcomes. He also explains why national rankings often mislead applicants and how location, clerkships, and regional markets shape actual career opportunities.You’ll also hear the full story of how Ben scored in the 99th perc...

and only one test left—is a losing play. He breaks down LSAT “ranges” vs a single “score,” and why hitting the top of your range radically changes both admissions outcomes and scholarships.We map law school decisions on a simple X-Y axis: job outcomes vs. total cost. Ben shows how late apps get worse on both, and why rankings (T20/T50) are a terrible proxy compared to ABA 509 employment data and real starting salaries.Big picture: the law-school industrial complex is wobbling. With loan policy shifts and banks caring about ROI, many mid-tier schools will strug...

👉 Find everything at linktr.ee/heyfuturelawyerIn this episode, Ben Parker and Madeline dive deep into the science of learning — and what actually works when it comes to improving on the LSAT and beyond. Drawing from the research-backed insights of Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning, they unpack how most people study the wrong way, why “feeling productive” isn’t the same as learning, and what to do instead.Ben and Madeline break down the book’s key takeaways — from why learning should feel effortful, to how spaced repetition and active recall beat re-reading or h...

In this episode, Ben welcomes Madeline back after her brief break from the podcast to catch up on law school life and dive deep into what it’s really like surviving 1L. Madeline talks about the initial adrenaline of starting law school fading into the grind of outlines, memos, and long nights—especially as she works through her first big legal writing assignment on the “attractive nuisance doctrine.” She and Ben discuss how hard it can be to stay motivated once the novelty wears off and how law school, like LSAT prep, ultimately rewards consistency over bursts of enthusiasm.The...

In this episode, Ben Parker kicks off with an update on law school admissions data, revealing a massive 31.6% surge in applicants and what that means for 2026’s “worst cycle ever.” He explains why higher applicant volume paired with fewer applications per person creates a uniquely competitive cycle and warns listeners to apply broadly—or better yet, wait until next year. Ben also discusses which undergraduate majors tend to score highest and lowest on the LSAT (based on LSAC data), why correlation doesn’t equal causation, and why he rejects the idea that philosophy or logic-heavy majors inherently make you better at...

In this episode, Ben Parker dives into the latest LSAC applicant data showing a massive 32.9% year-over-year increase in law school applications—making the 2026 admissions cycle the most competitive in history. He explains why more applicants and stagnant class sizes mean that even strong candidates will find it harder to secure spots and scholarships. Ben also breaks down LSAT score distribution trends, revealing that while top scores are slightly up in raw numbers, the overall percentile landscape is tightening.Ben then turns his attention to the misinformation epidemic on Reddit, dissecting a post that claimed to offer “tips” for ea...

In this episode, Ben Parker dives into one of the most controversial debates in LSAT prep: the formal logic approach versus the intuitive reading approach. Ben argues that most LSAT students are taught to overcomplicate the test by memorizing symbols, contrapositives, and diagramming rules, when in reality the LSAT is a test of reading comprehension—not logic. Using real Reddit exchanges, LSAT examples, and hilarious analogies (from sheep and mammals to group projects gone wrong), he breaks down why conditional reasoning is far simpler than most test-takers think.Ben explains that confusion on the LSAT doesn’t come...

In this episode, Ben dives into the upcoming Jumpstart Your January LSAT prep package, why it might be a smart move for students targeting the January LSAT, and how poor planning around prep timelines hurts applicants. He highlights the financial stakes tied to LSAT scores and reminds listeners that applying late in the cycle often costs both admissions chances and scholarship money.The conversation then shifts to the student loan changes shaking legal education. Ben lays out why many lower-ranked law schools may be on the brink of closure, arguing that private lenders won’t bankroll institutions wi...

This episode opens with updates from Hey Future Lawyer, including a free upcoming LSAT session and the start of the October group. Then, Ben and Madeline dive into life as a 1L. Madeline shares that while law school has its challenges, it feels more like a marathon than a sprint, with manageable ups and downs. The conversation highlights the importance of stamina, time management, and avoiding excuses—parallels that carry over directly to LSAT prep.From there, the discussion moves into the realities of legal careers, illustrated with an anecdote about the demanding nature of big law. Be...

In this episode, Ben Parker breaks down why the 2026 law school admissions cycle is shaping up to be one of the most chaotic ever. Applications are way up, LSAT scores are rising across the board, and competition for top schools is reaching unprecedented levels. Students will need higher scores and stronger resumes than ever before to stand out.A major factor is the recent elimination of GradPLUS loans, which previously allowed students to borrow unlimited amounts for law school. Ben explains how this change disrupts the entire system: lower-tier schools lose their financial lifeline, mid-tier schools face...

In this episode, Ben Parker and Madeline dive deep into the realities of law school, LSAT preparation, and how the two intersect. Madeline, now a 1L on a full scholarship, shares her first impressions of law school workload, time management, and how her LSAT skills have translated into her studies. Ben and Madeline explore whether certain reasoning abilities are truly teachable, or if some people simply “have it or don’t” when it comes to logic and comprehension.They also connect LSAT logic to legal doctrines, especially how conditions, intent, and legal elements appear in torts and crimin...

This episode kicks off with a reminder that law school applications open on Labor Day, making it the perfect time to cut through the noise surrounding admissions. Ben highlights how online forums—particularly Reddit’s r/lawschooladmissions—often spread misinformation. He critiques the echo chamber of anxious applicants who exaggerate the difficulty of getting into law school and perpetuate myths about what really matters in the admissions process.From there, the conversation turns to one of the biggest misconceptions: applying early doesn’t matter. Ben strongly disagrees, pointing out that both schools and consultants downplay the importance of timin...

In this episode, Ben dives deep into LSAT Reading Comprehension, breaking down why it isn’t about gimmicks or shortcuts—it’s about real understanding. He explains how dense, poorly written passages trip students up and why slowing down, reading actively, and focusing on comprehension will transform your score. Ben also gives actionable tips like using three guiding questions for active reading, identifying the main point as your “North Star,” and resisting the temptation to skim or over-highlight.Beyond RC strategy, Ben shares insights into mindset and preparation. He stresses that success on the LSAT isn’t about innate...

In this episode, Ben unpacks LSAC’s recent announcement suspending the online LSAT in mainland China due to rampant cheating scandals. He explains how organized companies were openly selling proxy test-taking services for thousands of dollars, why that creates long-term risks for students, and what it could mean for the future of online testing. Ben also speculates on whether this move could eventually push the LSAT back to being fully in-person.From there, the episode turns into a mailbag, answering pressing LSAT questions from students. Topics include whether a 20-point score jump in a month is realistic, wh...

In this August 2025 LSAT recap, Ben Parker breaks down the test in a way you won’t find anywhere else—focusing on actionable strategy, not internet clickbait. He tackles the curve myth, explains why “the test is getting harder” is an illusion, and exposes the truth about LSAC’s heavy reuse of old questions. You’ll learn why obsessing over predicted topics is a waste of time, why human psychology skews test-day perception, and how to avoid the post-LSAT freakout.Ben also explains why you should always register for consecutive LSATs, how to think about your score range realis...

In this episode, Ben returns to the mic after a short break to dive into the ramifications of the newly enacted "Big, Beautiful Bill," a sweeping legislative package signed into law during Trump’s second term. Rather than explore the bill's political implications, Ben focuses squarely on what the bill means for law school access, student loans, scholarships, and legal education's return on investment (ROI). His central thesis is blunt: most law schools were already a poor investment, and the changes this bill brings may finally end the harmful cycle of overborrowing for underwhelming outcomes.Ben explains th...

In this mailbag episode, Ben answers a wide range of questions from LSAT students, diving into common struggles like score stagnation, timing issues, and study habits. He emphasizes that untimed score improvements are normal, but consistent mistakes under time pressure often come from rushing or passivity during the test. Ben encourages students to focus on intentional problem-solving rather than guessing or relying on "comfortable" answers, which he argues leads to ineffective learning.He addresses issues like getting stuck between two answer choices, advocating for making decisions based on articulated reasoning rather than vibes. He points out that...