Intellectual pursuits have fewer homes as fitting as Durham, North Carolina. Part of what is called the "Research Triangle," this is an area famous for the technological industry and universities within. Just because it is a region known for academia doesn't mean that being in Durham is all work and no play, though. Here, you'll find nature getaways such as the beautiful Eno River State Park or the Falls Lake. For those interested in mixing nature with learning, you could head over to the Museum of Life and Science to play in huge tree houses—or even a rocketship. For those with art on the mind, the Nasher Museum of Art is a great destination. Film and dance, too, are everywhere you look in Durham, a city that has no shortage of venues for either. The American Tobacco District is quickly becoming a destination known for its dining, and Durham's Central Park allows for everything from farmer's markets to festivals. More recently, Durham has put effort into revitalizing its downtown area, including new development with expanded dining and arts districts. Attorneys of all types will plenty to do in and outside of these industries in Durham, and it can also pay off too: the average salary for a lawyer in Durham is $87,000 per year.
Of course, there is also the academic side of Durham. Duke University is the most prominent school in the area, and one of the best in the country. Duke's law school is known for being top-notch, consistently placing in the top ten of top law schools in the country. Needless to say, aspiring law professionals could do a lot worse than going to Duke. While Duke is a towering figure in the world of academia, it isn't the only nationally respected law school in the Durham area. North Carolina Central University is also regarded as a great law school, as are Wake Forest and the University of North Carolina, both close by. Because of their reputations, none of these schools are easy to get into. They are all highly competitive and highly selective. While most applicants will have a resume that boasts strong academic performance, a crucial determining factor that admissions will look at is a prospective student score on the law school admission test, most commonly referred to as the LSAT. The LSAT is a test that is known for its high level of difficulty and the stress that it can cause for the students who take it. However, with the right preparation, you can go into the exam with confidence.
To properly prepare for the LSAT, you'll want to find the right prep course. Considering that this is most likely the most important test you've taken up to this point in your academic career, finding the right course can be quite stressful. There is no shortage of options when it comes to LSAT prep, and knowing which course is right for you isn't easy to figure out. There are many factors to keep in mind when choosing a prep course. The right course for you will depend on how you learn best, your schedule, and your budget. In this article, we will go over some of the different types of LSAT prep courses you can expect to find. Using the information provided, you should be able to more easily make a confident decision about a prep course that will suit your needs going into the LSAT. Before we go any further with specifics, there are things that we think of as requirements for any good LSAT prep course. Those things are:
- Actual LSAT questions from years previous.
- Detailed video/in-person explanations of the types of questions you'll receive.
- A sliding scale for pricing.
- A support system to help you with your prep even when you are not in class.
Online vs In-Person LSAT Classes
When deciding which LSAT course is right for you, there are many determining factors. One of the most important things to consider is where you want to take your LSAT prep course. An easy assumption to make is that you could get the most out of a traditional in-person course that takes place in the classroom, but with technology these days, you can find LSAT prep courses online that offer the same amount of resources and support. While the end goal is the same, there are differences between in-person and online LSAT prep courses. What are these differences? Let's take a look.
Most simply, those who prefer a classroom setting may want to take an in-person LSAT prep course. These courses typically last for two months, with classes meeting once or twice a week. Here, you'll be working with an instructor who has some level of expertise regarding the LSAT. A lot of these courses will not only teach you what is on the LSAT, but also how to approach the test. Most of these courses also offer assistance outside of the classroom. This is normally in the form of video instruction and support through email. If this is the route you think you would prefer, you should make sure you are fully committed to the idea of going to these classes for two months. This is the main downside to in-person courses: they require a lot of your time, and they are also very expensive. As online courses get better and better, the case for in-person courses becomes harder and harder to make.
For those who seek flexibility in their preparation, online courses are the way to go. These classes are perfect for the person who already has a stacked schedule. This could be anyone who has a full-time job, a family, or both. Not only do these courses offer more flexibility with your schedule, but they are significantly less expensive than in-person courses. There are some online courses that attempt to replicate the classroom experience by being taught via video conference, though most online courses are taught through on-demand video instruction. The more common of the two, courses taught via video instruction allow you to choose when and where you do your LSAT prep. This also allows you to do your preparation at your own pace, never having to worry about falling behind or getting ahead of the rest of the class. While you won't have the same face to face interaction with an instructor, you will have support in the form of email correspondence.
Whether you choose to take your courses online or in-person, you should make sure that the course you choose offers practice exams. These practice exams are the best way to see where you stack up against the actual LSAT at any given moment. Some courses will administer these at specific points throughout the course, while others will give you an abundance to take as you please. Not only will these help you pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses for the test, but they will give you a great feel for what to expect on the day of your exam. At any good online prep course, each practice exam will be an actual LSAT from years prior.
Pros of an In-Person Course:
- In-person resources such as teachers, books, and peers.
- A structured system that goes at a specific pace, allowing you to focus on one thing at a time.
- Take practice tests in a realistic environment.
Pros of an Online Course:
- Make your own schedule.
- An expansive list of readily available resources.
- Less expensive than In-Person.
- Personalized problem-solving.
- Take as many practice tests as you want.
The Best Online LSAT Prep Course in Durham
LSATMax LSAT Prep Course
Your secret weapon for getting accepted to the law school of your choice, the LSATMax online LSAT prep course from TestMax, is guaranteed to raise your scores. For a reasonable one-time fee, you’ll get instant access to a huge arsenal of tools to help you prepare for the exam on your own time. With countless five-star reviews across TrustPilot, Google Play, and the Apple App Store, LSATMax is clearly the best online LSAT course available.
What makes LSATMax the best online prep course for any pre-law student looking to max out their LSAT scores? First, because it’s available on both web and mobile, you will be able to access your course materials at any time. Next, unlike many online courses that use practice questions written by so-called experts, LSATMax only uses actual questions that have appeared on the LSAT. Your membership gives you access to up to 9,000 questions.
There are three LSATMax course packages available. All three contain the full LSATMax course catalog with over 100 hours of video from instructors who have all scored in the 99th percentile on the LSAT themselves. You’ll also have opportunities to get personalized help from our instructors via real-time chat, message boards and scheduled office hours Q&A sessions. All students can also access their sample questions using LSATMax’s digital LSAT simulator for an authentic experience that replicates and gets you ready for the real LSAT.
Course Packages Available:
All LSATMax packages contain the full course catalog and a subscription to LSAT Prep Plus which gets you access to every LSAT practice exam available from the LSAC. You can choose between 3 flexible packages that give you access for the length of time you need to study for the LSAT.- LSATMax 60: This package gives you 60-day access to the full LSATMax course. It is great for students who have a shorter amount of time to study before their exam or who only need to raise their score a few points.
- LSATMax 180: This 180 day access package is designed to fit the needs of most students by giving access to the course for longer than the average time spent studying for the exam.
- LSATMax 365: This package is the best value for those who have a longer time frame to study for the exam or need to raise their score as much as possible.
No matter which package you choose, TestMax offers 0% financing for up to a full year through Affirm. Remember, the earlier you begin preparing for the LSAT, the higher your scores will be.
Pros:
- Get instant access to flexible packages and pricing
- Guaranteed to boost your LSAT score or your money back
- Interactive instruction with real LSAT experts
- Digital LSAT simulator for 100% realistic test experience
Fox LSAT Demon
Before opening up his LSAT test prep service, Nathan Fox scored 179 on his LSAT, a near-perfect score that placed him in the 99.9th percentile of all test-takers. He’s also personally written six books about preparing for the LSAT. Primarily focused on live LSAT prep courses, Fox LSAT has released their online-centered program called the LSAT Demon. Using A.I., the LSAT Demon program tailors the example problems and explanations to each user based on their strengths and weaknesses. While it is an interesting tool, the program suffers from a lack of video instruction and a fairly high monthly fee.
Pros:
- I. tutor helps reveal your weakest area
- Private tutoring available for an additional fee
Cons:
- Monthly fee for access
- No video instruction, online exercises only
Velocity LSAT Prep
Founded by two friends who met in college, Velocity LSAT Prep promises to help students “kick the LSAT in the face.” Behind the irreverent style is plenty of substance with in-depth explanations of over 9,000 authentic LSAT questions from previous tests. There is also a series of videos available that explain a wide variety of theoretical concepts that will appear on the test. Each membership lasts eight months. There’s a lot of quality material in Velocity’s LSAT online prep course, but the pricing is somewhat confusing. This is in part because the practice questions must be purchased separately, so costs can get out of hand pretty quickly.
Pros:
- Explanations for thousands of authentic LSAT questions
Cons:
- Only accessible for 8 months
- You must purchase the practice questions separately
The Best In-Person Prep Course in Durham
TestMasters:
Address-Hilton Garden Inn University Medical Center, 2102 West Main Street, Durham, NC 27708
Phone Number-(919) 286-0774
Link-https://www.testmasters.net/Lsat-Prep-Courses/north-carolina-durham
Why they are a good choice
TestMasters is an in-depth prep course that gives you everything you need both in class and at home. The curriculum was designed by Robin Singh, the world record holder for most perfect scores on the LSAT. The class sizes are small, and every instructor who works for TestMasters has scored in the 98th percentile or better on the LSAT. With this course, you will get 60 hours of in-class instruction, 100 hours of video lessons, and 20 take-home practice exams. These classes are held just blocks away from Duke University, right by their extensive law library.
Manhattan Review:
Address-Manhattan Review GMAT GRE LSAT Prep, Raleigh-Durham Teaching Center at the Hilton, 4810 Page Creek Lane, Durham, NC 27703
Phone Number-(919) 436-3748
Link-https://www.manhattanreview.com/raleigh-durham-lsat-prep-courses/
Why they are a good choice
Manhattan Review has a reputation built on the success of those who have used their services. They boast former students who have gone to some of the best law schools and then to work in some of the most well-regarded law firms in the country. The instructors they hire are those who have scored highly on the LSAT, and the courses are designed to have you prepared for every phase of the exam. When using Manhattan Review, you will be focusing on your weaknesses to make sure that you are as well rounded as possible heading into your test date. These classes are held in the heart of the Research Triangle, just a few steps away from some of the big law firms that you'll soon be vying for a job at.
The Best Law Schools Near Durham
- Duke University School of Law
- North Carolina Central University School of Law
- University of North Carolina School of Law
- Wake Forest Law
- Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University
Interested in going to the best law school near Durham? See the best law schools in North Carolina.
