Online classes

[LSATEnthusiast]

Is the Kaplan course actually live and interactive? The video indicates that it is, but I can't find any specific schedules?

Yes, the Live Online classes are live and interactive. If you go to kaptest.com/LSAT and put in your zip code to find classes near you, any option with the tag "Live Online" will be this way. The "Premium Online" course is merely pre-recorded videos.

With the Live Online classes, you will also have access to pre-recorded versions of every lesson should you want to review anything you missed or weren't 100% comfortable with.

[LSAT Eliminator]

I believe all the major companies that do online classes now have significant live components (this wasn't always the case). So, if youa re looking at one of these classes, do your research and see what you are getting. Each course is different, and what might be right for one person may not be right for another.

I always maintain that instructors are key. Find out who is teaching the class, what they scored, and their teaching history (not just for classroom courses but also how many online classes have they taught).

Do your due diligence and then you won't be unpleasantly surprised when classes start. 

 

[widespreadLSATpanic]

OK, I went with the Powerscore "virtual" class that starts at the end of the month. I actually called and spoke to someone there about it and she was really helpful (I wonder if it was the hot chick on the home page that I talked to…ha!…I think her name was Megan).

Anyways, it's getting time for me to really buckle down on this stuff, so I'm actually pretty stoked about it. I'll probably check back here for more help, so I'll keep y'all posted on the how the class goes.

[Trex555]

I wouldn't mind hearing how that class goes for you...can you post back about it?

[widespreadLSATpanic]

Will do, Trex! Check out the online demo...the chick I spoke to told me I should do it to get a feel for how it worked. She was right...the format was cool and the instructor was awesome.

[Jeffort]

I've checked out the Kaplan stuff somewhat.  It has neat animations that are built around the overlaying veneer subject of the logic games (cars, trains, food, etc).  It looks cool and is kind of entertaining (like cartoons) but doesn't seem to focus a lot on relevant concepts and techniques.  

My Ex GF taught LSAT classes for Kaplan for a while (they gave her the job without her having an official qualifying LSAT score.  Plus, their minimum is I think only a 164).  

I've been teaching and tutoring live and online for ~9 years.  When she started that job I freaked out and said   are you doing

She read parts of the teachers manuals over the phone to me wanting help preparing to teach the lessons.  I was in shock hearing what their manuals told her to say and do.  

Along the way they wanted her to sub in and teach GMAT and SAT classes and take on some of those classes full time from start to finish right away with no advanced notification or training.  She got calls many times an hour or two before a GMAT, LSAT or SAT class was scheduled to start asking her to be the substitute instructor that night and go right away.  She has never prepped for or taken the GMAT and they knew that!  Also, she has never been a teacher for the SAT  

Her involvement with Kaplan ended after about 2-3 months.  

According to my personal observations they are not on top of the instructor quality concept.

[SteelyDan]

OK, I went with the Powerscore "virtual" class that starts at the end of the month. I actually called and spoke to someone there about it and she was really helpful (I wonder if it was the hot chick on the home page that I talked to…ha!…I think her name was Megan).

Anyways, it's getting time for me to really buckle down on this stuff, so I'm actually pretty stoked about it. I'll probably check back here for more help, so I'll keep y'all posted on the how the class goes.

Definitely keep us posted. I'm not takign the LSAT until October, but definitely can't do the schedule for a classroom class. The online option seems the most reasonable for people that have full-time jobs.

[Jeffort]

OK, I went with the Powerscore "virtual" class that starts at the end of the month. I actually called and spoke to someone there about it and she was really helpful (I wonder if it was the hot chick on the home page that I talked to…ha!…I think her name was Megan).

Anyways, it's getting time for me to really buckle down on this stuff, so I'm actually pretty stoked about it. I'll probably check back here for more help, so I'll keep y'all posted on the how the class goes.

Definitely keep us posted. I'm not takign the LSAT until October, but definitely can't do the schedule for a classroom class. The online option seems the most reasonable for people that have full-time jobs.

Yeah.  Right when I started teaching live classes years ago I noticed right away that career changers and people with full time jobs, unlike people that for whatever reason don't have to work full time, have difficulty with the schedule to get the full benefit of live in person prep classes. 

Many of the full time working people would be exhausted when they showed up for evening classes and consequently not be able to focus as well as the students that didn't just work an 8 hour or more shift.

The time flexibility of a quality 'on demand' prep class is ideal for people working full time or that have other big responsibilities/time demands and things to 

I miss the carefree day's of UG and even LS when all I had to do was go to a few classes a day and do some homework while all my life/living stuff was taken care of.

[LSHopeful]

I took a virtual class with PowerScore and was really pleasantly surprised. The instructor was great, the material was great, and the classes were taped while they were taught so that you could go back and see them as much as you wanted. It's obviously gonna be more work that just a regular classroom class, since you don't have the other students and the instructor right in front of you to motivate you, but if you put in the work (and there will be a lot of work), then it's really worth it. Tons of work, but def worth it.

[Mitch Cumstein]

I've heard some really good things about PowerScore too, and Hopeful sounds like you enjoyed it...keep us posted widespreadLSATpanic!

I watched a few of these free demos back in the day as well, and they're really a great way to familiarize yourself with the look and feel of the class. Seems like the two-instructor system that a few companies employ would also be super helpful....great to be able to get personal attention during class that could be privately handled and wouldn't stop the presentation.

Other advice for the frugal/cautious: keep in mind other, cheaper resources offered by these companies and try those out before dropping a grand for the course. If I can get a $50 book and feel that the presentation/content work well for me then I know I'd feel much more confident that the concepts presented in class will click too. Better to compare a few relatively cheap publications, even if a few turn out to be garbage, before getting stuck in a course that is substandard and WAY more costly. 

[widespreadLSATpanic]

I recently got my course books and headset. I've flipped through them a little, but I don't think I need to do much before the course starts. They look pretty in-depth...probably a couple thousand pages.  But the more the better! Pretty sweet looking cover too.

I'm ready to rock this course! 

[EarlCat]

Obviously live classes where you can interact with the instructor (or even two instructors for some companies) are preferable, since you can ask questions and provide feedback during class, and since these live sessions are archived for post-class review. That means that even if you do "miss" a class you still have access to it and can stay on pace with the course. So be sure to read the details of your course options closely and try to stick to live classes if you can.

   If it's not live, it's not a course--its just self study and barely better (if better at all) than a book.  Feedback is VERY important IMHO.

[Dr. Troy]

I've had some success over the years with self-study (books and pre-recorded instruction), but I agree: for a test of this significance and for the amount of time/money you're going to invest, a live course with feedback and interaction seems to be the way to go. It's a shame that so many companies seem to be disguising their pre-recorded "classes" as live classes and charging the same as courses with real-time instructors. Do your research and when in doubt ask a TON of questions before enrolling!

[widespreadLSATpanic]

OK, my course just started tonight...this is pretty sweet! We started out just making sure everyone is able to hear and see the "whiteboard". There are two instructors--one teaching, and one answering questions on the IM. I have a headset with a microphone that I can talk into, but IM seems to be the best way to ask questions so far.

Alright we're diving into the real content now. I'll give more details tomorrow, but I thought I'd jump in here and give you guys a quick shout out. Back to paying more attention... 

[Jeffort]

OK, my course just started tonight...this is pretty sweet! We started out just making sure everyone is able to hear and see the "whiteboard". There are two instructors--one teaching, and one answering questions on the IM. I have a headset with a microphone that I can talk into, but IM seems to be the best way to ask questions so far.

Alright we're diving into the real content now. I'll give more details tomorrow, but I thought I'd jump in here and give you guys a quick shout out. Back to paying more attention... 

Nice   

Sounds like you have the correct attitude and motivation 

Keep it going and don't let yourself get discouraged by the ups and downs you will experience as you progress.  During the process you will occasionally experience obstacles and feel like   

Don't let those phases throw you off track.  Keep that attitude and hopefully you'll  when you get your score.