mcat books

The 8 Best LSAT Prep Books for Effective Study [Buying Guide]

Written by: Kristine Thorndyke

We’re sharing the best LSAT prep books for 2024 that are going to get you the score increase that you need to get into a top law school.

Whether you’re looking for overall study, section-specific study, or extra practice – one of these books will fit the bill.

Best LSAT Prep Books

1. The LSAT Trainer
2. PowerScore LSAT Bible Trilogy
3. The Official LSAT SuperPrep II
4. The Official LSAT SuperPrep
5. The Official LSAT Handbook
6. PowerScore LSAT Reading Comprehension Bible
7. PowerScore LSAT Logic Games Bible
8. PowerScore LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible

The LSAT Trainer

Best Overall
The LSAT Trainer: A Remarkable Self-Study Guide For The Self-Driven Student The LSAT Trainer: A Remarkable Self-Study Guide For The Self-Driven Student
4.5
$64.99 $29.99

Imagine an LSAT prep book that can break tough concepts into simple, digestible terms. Well, now you have it with Mike Kim's The LSAT Trainer!

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
10/03/2024 05:05 pm GMT


The LSAT Trainer was written by Mike Kim, who actually was the co-creator and overseer of Manhattan Prep’s LSAT Learning System. He’s sort of unlocked the secret to standardized testing and has effectively coached students to drastically increase their LSAT scores. Doesn’t sound like a bad guy to have on your side when you’re prepping for the LSAT!

I found Mike to be quite likable, at least by his writing. The content itself is super engaging and it feels like you develop a bit of a friendship with Mike after working through the LSAT Trainer. That’s not to say that Mike isn’t expecting you to work on this friendship as well. To do well on the LSAT and get anything out of this book, you need to be disciplined and determined on your end. Don’t believe me? It’s in the subtitle “A remarkable self-study guide for the self-driven student.”

You’ll get everything you need from the LSAT Trainer that you’d typically get from a commercial test prep course.. Just at a fraction of the cost and in a much more simple and candid description. Most students who came from a Kaplan and Princeton Review course who were unhappy with their LSAT scores find that they are able to actually get score improvements utilizing this trainer.

Now that we’ve given such a glowing report of Mike’s LSAT Trainer, let’s actually see what is included in this book:

  • 200 official LSAT questions
  • real-time solutions to official LSAT questions
  • effective strategies for all types of questions: Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Logic Games
  • 30 original drills for test-taking skills
  • additional free content including study schedules, notebooks, and videos

If you are interested in having a deeper look into the look and feel of the LSAT Trainer, you can check out some of Mike’s sample chapters

Highlights:

  • Breaks down tough concepts into simple, digestible terms
  • Visualizes logic games utilizing dual diagramming model that is more intuitive than commercial test prep companies
  • Provides steps for understanding and eliminating incorrect Logical Reasoning arguments
  • Encourages effective time-taking strategies and faster test-taking
  • Overall engaging content to spice up LSAT drilling

Drawback(s):

You’re going to need to buy the official prep tests that Mike recommends, which are not included in this book. See these official LSAT prep tests here

Final Verdict: If you are a self-motivated student, then this is the best LSAT prep book for you alongside the official practice tests. Your LSAT score will increase if you invest yourself in the LSAT Trainer. 

Check out how to use the LSAT Trainer in these 1-6 month LSAT study schedules!

PowerScore LSAT Bible Trilogy

Best LSAT Book Set
The PowerScore LSAT Bible Trilogy 2023 The PowerScore LSAT Bible Trilogy 2023
4.5
$149.99

The book set that's amassed a cult-like following, the PowerScore LSAT Bible Trilogy can be purchased on their own or with the PowerScore LSAT Bible Workbook Trilogy Set.

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
10/03/2024 05:21 pm GMT

The PowerScore Bibles are a pillar in LSAT preparation resources and are some of the most popular LSAT prep books to date, making it among our favorites of the best LSAT prep books currently available. We share these Bibles as a Trilogy, because you actually save some money buying all 3 rather than individually, which would cost you about $20 more.

The PowerScore Bibles Trilogy comes with the following books:

  1. The PowerScore Logic Games Bible
  2. The PowerScore Logical Reasoning Bible
  3. The PowerScore Reading Comprehension Bible

We do go on to review these books individually, as they make our top choice among categories as well. The beauty of the PowerScore Bibles Trilogy, and why it made our best LSAT prep books list, is that they are the perfect LSAT prep took for students looking to do their own self-study and can even effectively replace commercial test prep courses. Some of the highlights of the PowerScore Bible Trilogy are the logical reasoning and logic games Bibles, providing ways to attack these questions to both decrease your test-taking time and increase your effectiveness at answering these questions correctly.

The PowerScore Bibles were created by Dave Killoran, a 99th percentile scorer on the LSAT and who has been an LSAT expert for about 20 years and went on to found 2 LSAT prep companies. We always prefer books written by experts or individuals over some of the more generic commercial prep companies you may find online. To further boost this Trilogy’s credibility, every book is updated every year to account for all LSAT changes as well as to add new sections from previous editions. If you are serious about purchasing this book, just be sure you are getting the most current year available!

Each book in the PowerScore Bible Trilogy comes with drills, examples, and practice problems that are going to give you a pretty well-rounded ability to tackle the LSAT. Each chapter is created with a set of practice problems at the end to test out the knowledge you just learned. It may not be as fun and personable as Mike’s LSAT Trainer, but it still reads easily and allows for interaction that you won’t really find in the official LSAC prep materials.

In addition to these books, PowerScore also offers a free, comprehensive Self-Study site that pairs up with each of the PowerScore Bibles and offers free test scoring and analysis for every released LSAT. Here, you can also find some really helpful self-study plans that range from 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12 months.

Each of the books comes with official LSAT questions and detailed explanations. That said, you are not going to find any full-length LSAT official practice tests for simulated proctored testing. Even though this is one of the best LSAT prep books available, it would be most effective with the purchase of several official LSAT practice tests. 

Planning on lugging these books around? Invest in a proper law school backpack

Highlights:

  • 385 official LSAC questions (Almost double what is offered in The LSAT Trainer)
  • 40 drills with 357 total questions
  • Straightforward approaches to hand-selected official LSAT practice questions
  • Created by a 99th percentile LSAT scorer and expert in the field
  • Cited as more effective than commercial test prep
  • Free LSAT resources, including a free LSAT study guide 
  • Opportunities for private tutoring with PowerScore material
  • Workbooks now available for purchase to complement Bibles
  • Access to their free, comprehensive Self-Study site

Drawback(s):

This trilogy does not come with official LSAT practice tests, so these must be purchased in addition to the trilogy.

Final Verdict: The PowerScore Bible Trilogy is going to be more effective and helpful than commercial test prep courses and can be used to replace these methods of study. Prepare official LSAT practice tests accordingly.

Looking for more LSAT resources – check out our main LSAT prep page

The Official LSAT SuperPrep II

Official LSAT Practice Tests
The Official LSAT SuperPrep II The Official LSAT SuperPrep II
5.0
$32.00 $17.69

Here are the official PrepTests with explanations for every item in all 3 tests (December 2010, June 2011, and a previously undisclosed LSAT).


We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
10/03/2024 04:36 pm GMT


It goes without saying that the only way you will actually improve your speed and score is with official LSAT tests. The Official LSAT SuperPrep II makes it in our list of the best LSAT prep books, which comes from LSAC itself, and contains three LSAT exams for you to practice with: PrepTest 62 (Dec 2010), PrepTest 63 (June 2011), as well as an additional undisclosed exam. The Official LSAT SuperPrep II comes with different practice exams than the first. The first Official LSAT SuperPrep has three February exams. For more information about the first SuperPrep book, simply check out our review below.

The LSAT SuperPrep II comes with strategies and explanations on questions and will give you a great overall idea of what the questions are asking for as well as a general familiarization of the test. The tests are much newer than you will find in SuperPrep I, which were administered in 1996, 1999, and 2000. If we were going to choose between purchasing SuperPrep I and SuperPrep II, we’d go with the second for the updated tests as well as additional undisclosed exam you can’t get elsewhere.

All said, if you plan on studying with way more official LSAT practice tests, you would get more bang for your buck just purchasing the 10 Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests Volume V, as both of the disclosed LSAT prep tests can be found in this book, among others.

Highlights:

  • 3 official LSAT prep tests for practice
  • 1 undisclosed LSAT prep test that can’t be found in other books
  • Strategies for questions, written by the LSAC themselves
  • More recent official LSAT practice tests than SuperPrep I

Drawback(s):

This book cannot replace an LSAT prep course or self-study book, as the explanations and guides are not detailed enough to get you to a high score. Best to be used as a supplement to whatever practice or prep you are currently undertaking.

Final Verdict: This is a helpful prep book for practicing on real LSAT questions as well as understanding what exactly the LSAC is looking for, in their own words. This should not replace a traditional LSAT prep course or self-study book, but has value with its practice questions as well as additional undisclosed official LSAT.

The Official LSAT SuperPrep

More, Older Official LSAT Tests
The Official LSAT SuperPrep The Official LSAT SuperPrep
5.0
$36.00 $17.40

3 complete PrepTests and explanations for every item in all 3 tests (Feb. 2000, Feb. 1999, Feb. 1996)

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
10/03/2024 04:39 pm GMT


To be honest, we hesitated a bit adding the Official LSAT SuperPrep books to our best LSAT prep books list. Compared to The LSAT Trainer and PowerScore Bible Trilogy, the Official LSAT SuperPrep is dense and a bit hard to understand. But that said, we believe in offering a well-rounded LSAT prep book list that will suit all students regardless of where they are in their LSAT prep journey.

The beauty of the Official LSAT SuperPrep, written by the LSAC themselves, is that if you are able to figure out their explanations they offer for the LSAT questions, then you will actually know what exactly the LSAC is looking for. Essentially, we are providing this book in our list for those who are willing to take the chance on this dense guide for a glimpse of what exactly the questions are meant to be asking for, from the LSAC themselves.

This book is laid out with a guide to go along with each section of the LSAT as well as 3 official LSAT practice tests. Each of these practice tests is accompanied with fully detailed explanations. What makes this prep book stand out among the other LSAT prep books is their difficulty rankings for each of the questions. These ratings can be extremely helpful when gauging your advancement as you are studying for the LSAT.

With only 3 practice tests included in the Official LSAT SuperPrep, this is recommended as more of a beginner book. If you have more time to study (a few months), this really is not going to be a necessary purchase.

Highlights:

  • PrepTest B and C have some of the most difficult logic games you’ll ever see
  • Difficulting ratings after each question and full explanations
  • Guides for each LSAT section written by the LSAC
  • Emphasis placed on answering Reading Comprehension passages

Drawback(s):

These practice tests are getting up there in age. Also, the sections are not completely thorough and we’d recommend another prep book to make sure you close any gaps.

Final Verdict: This is a super affordable prep book that is going to give you a better sense of what the LSAC is looking for with its questions. As a fully comprehensive test-prep resource, this falls short. I recommend using this either at the beginning of your studies or as a quick refresher leading up to your test date.

The Official LSAT Handbook

Affordable Supplemental LSAT Guide
The Official LSAT Handbook: Get to Know the LSAT The Official LSAT Handbook: Get to Know the LSAT
4.5
$12.00 $9.99

A bit thin on details, this handbook by the LSAC makes a better supplement to your LSAT study plan.

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
10/03/2024 05:20 pm GMT


Rest assured the LSAC does come out with some newer material for those preparing for the LSAT. This guide is newer than the previously recommended SuperPreps and comes at a much cheaper price. Included are a handful of the guides you would have received in the SuperPrep I as well as some new guides as well.

Unlike the LSAT SuperPreps, however, this is exactly what the name sounds like – a handbook. The Official LSAT Handbook is not going to be providing you with any practice tests but rather walk you through what to expect on the LSAT. Compared to Mike’s LSAT Trainer, this is pretty thin on details and deep strategy, but it does expand a bit more on the explanations you would have found in their SuperPreps.

Some of the guides in the Handbook are the same as what you will find in the SuperPreps, with the new guides and content found towards the back of the book. A new section they provide here is the Comparative Reading passages, which you would have found new in the exam starting in June 2007, as well as approaches to Logic Games diagramming.

Highlights:

  • Expansion on ideas not covered in previous SuperPreps
  • Guide to Comparative Reading passages created by the LSAC
  • New guide to diagramming Logic Games
  • Inexpensive and summarizes the LSAT well

Drawback(s):

There are no practice tests, so this can only be used as a supplement to other study plans. Also, some of the content is a repeat of what can previously be found in the LSAT SuperPreps.

Final Verdict: This is a good introduction to those starting out with their LSAT prep but will not get you a high score. I recommend this as a first-step to your LSAT prep plan to understand the LSAC’s questioning and then moving onto more challenging and effective prep.

The PowerScore LSAT Reading Comprehension Bible

Best LSAT Prep Book for Reading Comprehension

Best for Reading Comprehension
The PowerScore LSAT Reading Comprehension Bible (LSAT Prep) The PowerScore LSAT Reading Comprehension Bible (LSAT Prep)
4.0
$69.00

For those weak in their reading comprehension, this makes a great section-specific prep book for maximal score gains.

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
10/03/2024 05:21 pm GMT


Sure, we just mentioned The PowerScore Bible Trilogy, but if you are specifically looking for a book that is going to improve your Reading Comprehension score, then PowerScore’s Reading Comprehension Bible will make a great addition to whatever LSAT study plan or course you are currently undertaking, making it the best LSAT prep book for Reading Comprehension.

What we like about this Reading Comprehension Bible is that it utilizes techniques and approaches that have been previously tested in their live LSAT prep courses as proven and effective and then packaged these concepts into one book. What you will find in this book are loaded discussions of exactly how to break down passages, steps on identifying and tackling questions, as well as tips and tricks on avoiding the tricks laid out by the LSAT test writers. As with all the PowerScore LSAT Bible books, it is structured with plenty of official LSAT practice questions without any modification as well as full explanations to each.

Highlights:

  • Practice and review Reading Comprehension with real passages from official LSAT questions
  • Contains 84 official LSAC questions
  • Contains 9 drills with 96 total questions
  • Chapter-by-chapter answer keys
  • Unique reverse lookup feature listing out all of the included LSAT passages sorted by date and prep test number that allows for easier tracking
  • Includes diagramming passages and making notations
  • Can be paired with PowerScore’s 2023 Reading Comprehension Workbook
  • Access to PowerScore’s Self-Study site that matches this book

Drawback(s):

The individual PowerScore Bible books come at a steeper cost than most other books reviewed in this list. For those concerned about their budget, consider the full Trilogy.

Final Verdict: If you need extra help understanding Reading Comprehension passages, this book has been proven to help you improve and should be considered.

The PowerScore LSAT Logic Games Bible

Best LSAT Prep Book for Logic Games (Analytical Reasoning)

Best for Logic Games
The PowerScore LSAT Logic Games Bible (LSAT Prep) The PowerScore LSAT Logic Games Bible (LSAT Prep)
4.0
$51.99

Our favorite logic games prep book that shares simple and intuitive diagramming techniques that can be replicated on test day.

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
10/03/2024 05:20 pm GMT

The best LSAT prep book for the Logic Games section also comes from the PowerScore Bible Trilogy. Utilizing the same techniques that are used in teaching logic games strategy in the PowerScore live classes, this book will enable you to solve all types of logic games questions that will appear on test day.

One of the worst things that you can do when preparing for the LSAT is not learn systematic and simple approaches to diagramming logic games. When you are strapped for time, you need to be able to rest assured that you have a logical way to map out the logic games so that you can systematically answer the corresponding questions With the PowerScore LSAT Logic Games Bible, you will learn simple and intuitive diagramming techniques that will save you both time on the LSAT as well as help to minimize errors.

This book will help you to identify the type of logic game you’re about to tackle as well as the best way to represent this game with over 30 official LSAT logic games to work through. You will encounter every type of logic game that has shown up on the LSAT since 1991. In addition to the book, you will also be able to access a unique website from PowerScore that has additional, complimentary resources and an FAQ that can help you as you’re working through these logic games.

Similar to the other PowerScore LSAT Bible books, you may also purchase its complementary 2023 Logical Reasoning Workbook to work in tandem with this book.

Highlights:

  • 30 official LSAT Logic Games systematically broken out and explained
  • Contains 166 official LSAC questions
  • Contains 15 drills with 142 total questions
  • Can be paired with PowerScore’s 2023 Logic Games Workbook
  • Strategies for logic games are easy to digest
  • Multiple reports of increased logic games score after completing this book
  • Access to PowerScore’s Self-Study site that matches this book

Drawback(s):

30 logic games is not sufficient to be fully prepared and prepped for this section of the LSAT. To improve your timing, you will still want to seek out further logic games for practice.

Final Verdict: If you find yourself, like many, struggling on the logic games, then this is definitely the best LSAT prep book you could invest in. This is not a cheap book but it’s worth every penny. 

The PowerScore LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible

Best LSAT Prep Book for Logical Reasoning

Best for Logical Reasoning
The PowerScore LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible (LSAT Prep) The PowerScore LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible (LSAT Prep)
5.0
$77.99

Practice solving challenging logical reasoning concepts with official LSAC questions and drills.

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
10/03/2024 05:29 pm GMT

The PowerScore LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible makes it as our top pick for the Logical Reasoning category among our best LSAT prep books. Like the other PowerScore Bibles, the Logical Reasoning Bible utilizes official LSAT practice questions so that you can have the closest to test-day questions as possible.

With 22 chapters in this book, each chapter is designated to a specific type of question that will appear on the LSAT Logical Reasoning section and you will also work on strategy and time management. Some of the core Logical Reasoning concepts you will be able to practice in this book is Formal Logic, Conditional Reasoning, and Causality.

Highlights:

Drawback(s):

Again, the price tag is a bit higher than other LSAT prep books, but can be worth the expense if you plan on really digesting what’s presented.

Final Verdict:

Final Verdict: The Logical Reasoning sections of the LSAT make up for almost 50% of your LSAT score. If you do not have these strategies and concepts down air-tight, then you should purchase this book and work through the questions and explanations methodically.

LSAT Books FAQ

How do I study for the LSAT by myself?

If you plan on studying by yourself, you should take a diagnostic test to determine your baseline score and assess the areas you need to improve upon to hit your goal score. You should invest in a comprehensive prep book and block off about 20-30 hours per week for the next 3 months until you are hitting your goal score on timed practice tests.

How much time do you need to study for the LSAT?

You should set a schedule of 20-30 hours per week for at least 3 months to study for the LSAT.

Is Khan Academy LSAT prep good?

Khan Academy is a great source of free practice and drills, but is not very helpful in identifying and fixing errors and mistakes. With this in mind, you can certainly use Khan Academy as a supplemental practice tool to your home study or prep course.

Best LSAT Prep Books Recap

If you’re looking for one solid, comprehensive review for the LSAT, then you can’t go wrong with the LSAT Trainer. We like this prep book for its strategy as well as friendly tone that actually makes working through a book of such proportion enjoyable.

Check out the list of the top official LSAT practice tests you need for effective study.

BLACK FRIDAY & CYBER MONDAY SAVINGS