Correlation vs. Causation (Ep. 481)
Thinking LSAT
Nathan Fox and Ben Olson
4.8 • 868 Ratings
🗓️ 18 November 2024
⏱️ 80 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Confusing correlation for causation is one of the most common flaws that you’ll encounter on the LSAT. Until you learn to spot it, you’re leaving points on the table. This week, Nathan and Ben demonstrate a three-step process for objecting to an argument that confuses correlation for causation. Later, the guys analyze a listener’s underperformance on her official tests. They weigh in on practice test frequency. And they investigate a low-ranked law school that offers a laughable perk to early decision applicants.
1:44 - Logical Reasoning: Weaken - The guys tackle a Weaken question from PrepTest 141. Try the question for yourself, then listen to Nathan and Ben’s explanation.
18:19 - Test Violation - Remote LSAT test takers are prohibited from using mobile hotspots. An anonymous listener didn’t know this and their test was canceled as a result. The guys advise Anonymous on how to proceed.
23:26 - Don’t Rush Your Applications - Listener Melany isn’t ready to apply to law school, but she risks getting kicked out of her prelaw assistance program if she doesn’t apply this cycle. Ben and Nathan discuss Melany’s options and urge her not to settle for a low LSAT score.
33:52 - Replicating Practice Test Success - Listener Victoria has underperformed on two official test attempts. Nathan and Ben share tips on how to replicate her practice test scores when she takes the official test.
45:45 - Practice Test Schedule - LSAT Demon student Jess asks if she should avoid taking full practice tests until she’s improved her timed section scores. Ben and Nathan encourage Jess not to overhype her practice tests.
50:39 - What’s the Deal with…? - Nathan and Ben investigate the admissions stats and job outcomes at Liberty University School of Law.
1:11:55 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon student Reese writes: “Feign interest and read carefully. There is no need to highlight. Just ensure you're understanding what you're reading, and you'll be fine.”
1:16:15 - Word of the Week - Ben and Nathan show predatory law schools their due obloquy.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | One, correlation doesn't prove causation. |
| 0:04.0 | Two, how do you know it's not something else? |
| 0:07.7 | Three, what about the reversal of cause and effect? |
| 0:18.4 | Hello and welcome to episode 481 of the Thinking Elseap podcast. I'm Ben Olson. With me is Nathan Fox. We're the co-founders of |
| 0:26.3 | Elsaid Demon.com and the Elsaid Demon Daily podcast. Be Elsat famous, share news and ask questions on our website, |
| 0:33.1 | thinkingelsat.com. Coming up on Tuesday, December 3rd, we're going to do another free class. That's |
| 0:40.3 | Parents Night Volume 2. So if you have parents and those parents are trying to get you to apply to law school when you're not ready, when they're saying, hey, just take the L-Sat and put in those applications, |
| 0:56.0 | and you're saying, wait a sec, I might not have my best score on record, or I might be applying late in the cycle. |
| 1:04.0 | This is the class for them, because we will explain exactly how the law school admissions game is played |
| 1:10.1 | and why they're pushing you into |
| 1:13.0 | a position that is just not as desirable as it could be if you waited and got your best |
| 1:19.1 | LSAT score and applied early in the cycle. |
| 1:21.8 | We'll show them the dollars. |
| 1:22.7 | A lot of times when people see the amount of money that's on the line by waiting and doing this game correctly, |
| 1:30.0 | they start to change their tune. |
| 1:32.9 | Hope to see you there. |
| 1:34.4 | Just go to LSAT demon.com forward slash free |
| 1:37.9 | if you want to sign up you and or your parents |
| 1:40.6 | for that free class. |
| 1:43.5 | Want to do an LR question? |
| 1:44.8 | Let's do it. |
| 1:46.2 | This is from Prep Test 141, Section 2, Question 9. |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Nathan Fox and Ben Olson, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Nathan Fox and Ben Olson and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.