From the cost of the LSAT to the question format and how to study, this article identifies the most important factors to consider when preparing for this all-important exam.
How to prepare for the LSAT
It cannot be denied that the LSAT requires adequate preparation. Many examinees find the different sections challenging and the exam is designed to be tedious. Reading comprehension questions, for example, contain passages that should be long, uninteresting, and a bit confusing. Law school applicants are encouraged to do their “due diligence” and use this 3-step guide when studying for the LSAT:
Step 1: Take at least one practice test BEFORE you begin your preparation for the official test.
Before you enroll in an LSAT prep course, give yourself a chance to see how you perform on the test “all at once.” Many different websites offer practice questions and several sites have the full exam available for you to preview. Take the practice test seriously and give it your all. Your score will help you assess what preparation you need and also give you a starting point to track your progress.
Step 2: Consider all of your options.
LSAT study options are plentiful. Whether you want a tutor, an online preparation course, law school podcasts, an in-person class, or just a study guide, you will surely be able to find what you are looking for. However, selecting your choice of test prep can be overwhelming.
No preparation is considered the “best” so you need to buckle up and think about how you would benefit the most. If you tend to tune out in class, perhaps a tutor is your best option. If a section was particularly difficult, consider getting a book focused on that particular question format.
Step 3: Practice, practice, practice.
Simply telling you to practice is not the point of this step. Your exam preparation must be meaningful to improve your score. Here are some pros and cons of studying for the LSAT:
DO NOT take practice tests in unrealistic circumstances. You won’t be listening to music or television while taking the actual test, so remove external stimuli from your study habits. Try going to the library or other unfamiliar quiet places.
Keep track of your scores on each test. You need to know if your score is improving and if one section is dragging you down more than the others. If you don’t see improvement, it’s time to change your test prep method.
If you feel like you’re hitting an LSAT hurdle, consider taking the GRE.
DO NOT assume that once you get a high score, you’ve done “enough. The tests vary each year, as does the degree of difficulty of each section. One year, Analytical Reasoning will have the most difficult questions. Next year it might be a different section or the same To gauge how you will perform on the actual test, you need to see several maximum scores before you can consider yourself ready.
Try to mimic the actual exam in terms of duration. Many students do not consider the impact of the unscored experimental section on the actual exam, as well as the unscored writing sample. Although these will not affect your grade, you must realize how much of a marathon the LSAT will be. Therefore, you should practice taking the test to its fullest extent to the best of your ability. Get yourself to write a paragraph and add some old practice questions to extend the length of your LSAT practice.
Follow the standard test prep rules you’ve used for years. It may seem obvious to say so, but preparing for the LSAT also involves getting enough sleep, eating right, exercising to relieve stress, and so on. Too often, college students obsess over their LSAT scores and forget to maintain their physical and mental health. Allowing yourself to panic and thinking that the future of your law career hinges on a test will not put you in the right mindset for the exam. Do the best you can, but know that you can always retake the exam or consider other perfectly qualified law schools that will accept you without an incredibly high score.
Now that you know the most important factors to consider when taking the LSAT, it’s time to get down to business. Happy studying and good luck!
