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Reviewed: 2/22/24
Wondering how to study for the LSAT? This article will go over LSAT prep tips, how to formulate a stellar LSAT study schedule and some frequently asked questions.
As an aspiring law school student, taking the LSAT is probably one of the first things that’ll pop into your head. However, taking the exam will undoubtedly open up more options for your postgraduate law career.
You might be wondering how you can best study for the test. This article aims to provide you with some valuable information on studying strategies for the LSAT and how to pass with flying colors!
The LSAT is a standardized test used for admission to law school. It tests aspiring law students’ critical thinking, logical reasoning, reading comprehension, and writing skills to determine their potential to succeed in their first year of law school.
How many sections does the LSAT have? There will be at least one reading comprehension and two logical reasoning sections on each exam. The unscored section can be either of these section types. You will have 35 minutes to complete each section.
The LSAT argumentative writing section is administered separately using online proctoring software. Students can write this section at their own convenience, as early as eight days before their test. They will have 50 minutes to complete it.
Effective preparation for the LSAT will ensure you make the best use of your time and maximize your chances of reaching your target score on your first try.
Your studies should be focused, consistent, and built on proven test strategies that will guide you toward a competitive score. Effective preparation will also reduce your test anxiety and increase your confidence, setting you up for success!
As with any standardized test, there are surefire ways to put you on the right track. This section will go over six LSAT prep tips to set you up for success.
Here are the best ways to study for the LSAT!
As you start gearing up for law school, it’s integral that you allot enough time to study for the LSAT. To achieve the highest score you can, it’s ideal to prepare months before you take the test. Starting early will give you enough time to consider busy periods of school and work and allow you to better manage your time as the big day approaches.
If you’ve looked into the LSAT material, you’ll know that it is entirely a skill-based, challenging test. This means that you won’t be tested on anything trivial. You’ll be required to use the skills you’ve gained in logic, deduction, and critical analysis to ace the LSAT.
With this in mind, you must know what types of questions you might be asked on the LSAT and how they are categorized. The LSAT contains around 100 questions, though you might find slight deviations from this number (sometimes you’ll encounter 99 or 101 questions). These questions are then divided into four sections, including a writing test.
The core LSAT sections are as follows:
It is also important to note that although the writing test is not scored, it is greatly considered in the admissions process.
By getting to know the questions and breakdown of the LSAT, you'd be able to strategically navigate your LSAT prep. Doing this will help you plan how to study for the LSAT, allowing you to understand your strengths and weaknesses. The goal here is to be able to know which sections and skills need more work and focus so you can study smarter, not harder.
With any test prep initiative, defining your goals is a key step in making sure you’re using your time wisely and efficiently. Knowing what score you’re aiming for can really help you stay focused.
Depending on which law school you’re hoping to attend, you can figure out exactly what LSAT score you need to be a competitive candidate. The most competitive LSAT scores average around 172, with Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and the University of Chicago having the top LSAT score medians of 173-174. With that said, many law schools also accept scores on the lower end.
If you’re hoping to get a good LSAT score for your school of choice, it’s worthwhile to set some goals to work toward as you prepare for your LSAT.
As we’ve discussed, the LSAT is purely based on critical thinking skills rather than knowledge. Given that there are no right or wrong answers on the LSAT, you’ll have to know how to answer questions to get full marks.
If you’re not coming from an educational background that already prioritizes the use of these skills, it might be trickier to develop and understand how to apply your critical thinking skills in a way that caters to the LSAT. To prepare, you’ll have to adopt an analytical mindset in understanding what you’re currently learning or what you already know.
One way you can start is through deliberate practice. As a term coined by psychologist Anders Ericsson and his team, deliberate practice is intentional and regimented training with an accomplished mentor, like an LSAT tutor. To successfully incorporate deliberate practice into your LSAT prep, apply the following principles:
The principles of deliberate practice are applicable to any skill you want to learn. This has been a foolproof way for athletes and professionals to get to the 99th percentile of their fields and will surely level up your LSAT prep.
There are countless sources for LSAT practice tests that you can utilize as you embark on your studies. It’s important to take both timed and untimed tests in preparation for your LSAT. You can find practice questions online or in an LSAT study guide.
With untimed practice tests, you’ll have enough time to assess passages and questions as thoroughly as possible. This is ultimately the best place to start, as it allows you to have a better grasp of your starting point. With this, it’s important to practice with intention and to take it slow.
Doing this will help you get a feel of what to expect on the LSAT without the extra pressure.
Once you feel comfortable with untimed practice tests, you should move on to timed ones. They will give you a practical understanding of what taking the LSAT might actually feel like. Use timed practice tests to build up your endurance and get the hang of how you manage your time on the big day.
Try your hand at several practice LSAT questions to see if you're ready to tackle a full practice test! You can also start with our free LSAT Question of the Day that delivers real questions right to your inbox!
Creating a study schedule or timetable can help you balance all the time it takes to study for the LSAT with your personal or professional commitments. A good schedule will make sure that you’re well-prepared without sacrificing other responsibilities.
In creating your study schedule, it’s important to consider your law school application timeline. Ideally, you should aim to take your LSAT between June and August to account for any potential retakes; law schools won’t be able to evaluate your application until your LSAT scores are available.
Similarly, it is important to know test dates and registration deadlines. Though the exact dates change every year, there are opportunities to take your test between January and November of every calendar year. Just make sure that you give yourself enough time to study before registration.
It takes around four months to study for the LSAT. You can prepare for the LSAT in one month, but this isn’t recommended.
Consider all of your obligations to determine the best study schedule. Students who can treat their LSAT prep like a full-time job typically study for around three to four months, and those who can’t may need six or more months. Take a look at our free downloadable LSAT study plans article or use our LSAT Study Schedule tool below!
Now that we’ve gone over some tips on how to prepare for your LSAT and things you might want to consider before scheduling your test, we’ll go over any questions you might still have in preparation for the LSAT.
It takes approximately four months to study for the LSAT. Depending on your comfort level with each section, you might require more or less study time.
The best way to study for the LSAT involves creating a structured study plan, practicing consistently, and focusing on skill development rather than content memorization.
One year is more than enough time to study for the LSAT, and in fact, might be longer than optimal for most students. Most study periods last 3-6 months, with a total of 150-300 hours of dedicated preparation.
Contrary to popular belief, you absolutely shouldn’t cram material in the final weeks before your test date. With the right study schedule, you should feel confident in your abilities by this time. Use this time to rectify and drill any existing weaknesses and wrap up your final practice tests.
When building your study schedule, be mindful of your application deadlines, commitments, and capabilities. Be realistic, but consistent. Don’t overbook yourself, but ensure you’re dedicating enough hours to your studies each week!
Staying motivated during your LSAT journey is essential, and one effective strategy is to celebrate every milestone, regardless of its size. Whether it's a mere one-point score improvement or the moment when tricky questions start making sense, take a moment to acknowledge your hard work and progress.
Additionally, it's crucial to strike a balance between your studies and personal life. Allocate time for activities you enjoy so that you aren't solely immersed in your study routine. Lastly, remind yourself of the ultimate goal you're working towards, keeping your vision of success in mind as a constant source of inspiration!
These tips on studying for your LSAT aim to boost your confidence as you begin your journey to your dream law school. Understanding the different ways you can optimize your LSAT prep will surely get you on the right track as you tackle this challenging yet worthwhile endeavor.
Always remember that how you study for the LSAT will depend on which law school you want to get into and the goals that you set for yourself. Best of luck!
Reviewed by:
Former Head of Northeastern University's Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University
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