While this book might be useful if you're studying to take the 1996 LSAT or if you want to trace the modern evolution of the LSAT, it's of limited use to anyone studying to take the LSAT today. In looking at almost the LSATs between 1995 and today (2005), one will see that the test evolves slowly and steadily, probably to add a touch of uncertainty for test-takers and to stay one step ahead of the test prep companies. The LSATs over the past decade superficially bear a close resemblance to one another, but closer inspection reveals that the net result is a tremendous change in the types and the frequencies of logic game formats, logical reasoning questions, and reading comprehension questions. Rather than buying this book and risking becoming a dinosaur, you're much better of buying the most recent editions of the "Official LSAT Preptest" books, new versions of which are constantly being released.

There is some question of the utility of this book. All of these tests were created in whole or in part before the current LSAT test producer (ACT) took over from LSAS. PrepTests before 11 (including 18 & 16) were made entirely by LSAS. Tests 12-15 were partly written by ACT but they had to use some of LSAS's questions. After December 1995 all the tests were made wholy by ACT (Preptest 17, the "Official LSAT PrepTest with Explanations", the SuperPrep tests, and PrepTests 19+).

I took every PrepTest available and I can say that the October 2005 and more recent tests are different than tests in this book. That doesn't mean the book lacks utility. It's a great study tool but you'll see some question types that are no longer used or are used rarely (for instance, there haven't been logical reasoning questions that have two questions for a single prompt for awhile). The games in this book will also be more difficult than what you'll probably experience on the LSAT. If you only had 10 LSAT PrepTests to take I would recommend the most recent tests you can get. If you're going to take more tests then, by all means, get this book. Just realize it's a little different and don't freak out if your scores change when you begin to take more recent tests.

This book contains:
PrepTest 18; December 1992
PrepTest 7; February 1993
PrepTest 9; October 1993
PrepTest 10; February 1994
PrepTest 11; June 1994
PrepTest 12; October 1994
PrepTest 13; December 1994
PrepTest 14; February 1995
PrepTest 15; June 1995
PrepTest 16; September 1995

What can I say-- this is, in fact, a collection of 10 actual LSATs. Great practice for the months prior to taking the test. I particularly like the actual LSAT answer sheets in the back of the book, perforated for easy tear out, one for each test. Not that you necessarily need practice filling in the bubbles, but it's more accurate an experience than doing a computer program and double-clicking all your answers.

I am pleased with the quality of paper and organization of the book. Answer keys and score sheets are provided based on that each test's bell-curve score results.

I think this book really helps you prepare for the LSAT. However, I do wish this book came with explanations to the answers.

Are you ambitious, smart, with good grades and shooting for a top tier school? Please allow me to give you advice for how to study for the LSAT and get a score in the 170s. If you're less confident in your abilities, I'll be honest: I don't know if my technique will work. You might be well off with a book that contains commentary and analysis.

I prepared for the LSAT almost entirely from this book. I started off with it and Princeton Review's Cracking the LSAT, but I almost immediately discarded the latter when I found that the explanations for their invented questions were convoluted and often, in my opinion, wrong. Near testing date, I also borrowed a friend's copy of one of the more recent LSAC volumes, and took a test or two out of it.

I vehemently disagree with reviewers who say that the test has substantially changed since this volume was published. I noticed no difference comparing these questions, the ones from the Next 10, and those from the actual exam, in difficulty, style, or content. I don't think there's any compelling reason to use this volume instead of one of the more recent ones, unless there's an availability problem, but I want to defend a book I found interesting and very helpful. In fact, don't shoot me for saying this, but this test full of games and logic problems is the most fun standardized test I've ever taken. I'd even recommend this book to college seniors not interested in law school but preping for logic questions from Wall Street recruiters. This is from personal experience. Not joking!

My advice to test-takers is: take a section of a real exam with real questions (take PR or Kaplan's questions, and you may just end up confused--when dealing with dizzying phrase parsing questions, you should train from the real deal). Then grade yourself and figure out why you missed every question you missed. Then repeat. Over the course of a few weeks, work through as many tests as possible (maybe a half-dozen or slightly more). Scope out the test center ahead of time, bring a snack, and you should be set.

In sum, I don't put much stock in memorizing mnemonics from test prep books. Pure problem-solving allows for you to figure out what you did wrong. Also, for people who have limited time and money, the fewer books you buy, fewer courses you attend, and the more time you spend just doing problems instead of reading useless tips and snide commentary, the better. Also, don't waste your money on the over-priced triple or individually packaged most recent exams. They're all the same.

I will admit: there's the possibility that the games have changed, and I just didn't notice, because I've done so many logic puzzles over the years (middle school math competitions, etc) that all look the same to me. But my feeling is that if you're smart, and you've cleaned the rust from your brain, you'll be able to tackle any one of the handful of different logic game types they might throw your way. Again, for those who don't try to memorize EXACTLY what to do if you see such and such type of problem (which I think will just slow down and distract you), concerns about what game type is in vogue are overblown.

Anyway: good luck.