LSAT Tips | All You Need Is Focus…and a Few Hacks
With the difficulty level of the Law School Admission Test, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that a lot of test-takers are in search of useful LSAT tips. A good LSAT prep book is a MUST and anything that can help make preparing for and taking the said test simpler is welcome. So if you’re currently studying for LSAT, our roundup below might prove useful to you.
Table of Contents
11 LSAT Tips to Help You Adequately Prepare for the Test
Get to know the test.
This might seem like a no-brainer but it’s very important that you know as much as you can about the LSAT. If you’re well acquainted with the test, you’ll know what’s in store for you and you’ll be able to prepare fully. The fact that you’re here is a good start, though. If you've familiar with the general test taking strategies and have also got to know the law school requirements, it's time to focus on cracking the LSAT.
What should you try to learn about the said test? The basics like how many questions are on the LSAT, how long the test is, the format of the exam, the LSAT score conversion, how long are LSAT scores valid, and the topics included among other things are considered as essentials.
You should also get to know what to expect and the things you need to do on the day of the test.
There are very specific LSAT photo requirements as well as guidelines in what to bring to LSAT on the test day, so you should be well aware of those things.
Combing through the LSAC website should help you learn the basics about the test. Being the makers of the LSAT, the Law School Admissions Council offers a lot of information about the test. You can also check tons of other reliable sources for additional details about the test.
Spend enough time preparing for LSAT.
Experts recommend that the harder the test is, the longer your prep time should be. Timing is everything. Why? With more time, you’ll be able to go over more areas and even have the chance to do recaps. Doing so can guarantee that you’ll be ready to take on the test when its scheduled date rolls around.
As the LSAT is considered as one of the more challenging standardized tests out there, it just makes sense that you spend a good amount of time preparing for it. Just how difficult is the LSAT that you should spend a lot of time studying for it, you might be wondering?
A quick online search will tell you that this test is one of the toughest out there. It’s tricky and overwhelming, to say the least, as it is meant to evaluate a select skill set.
However, those skills can be developed and honed with practice and studying, so a good deal of preparation can really come in handy.
This is why it shouldn’t be surprising to learn that some folks prepare for the said test full-time. By focusing on their upcoming test schedule and getting to know questions on LSAT, they can get ready effectively in taking the test.
If you can’t do this, lots of experts recommend spending 2 to 3 months in preparation for the LSAT instead. This will allow you to spend 20 to 25 hours a week studying for the test. You can create your own 3-month LSAT study schedule or follow the pattern of the ones readily available online to map out your measures effectively.
Create a study plan that you can stick to.
Speaking of mapping out your test prep efforts, you should also make sure to create an LSAT study plan if you want to learn how to prepare for LSAT effectively. This will help you take note of all of the things you need to do and the topics you need to cover. It will also allow you to create a good schedule to make sure that you’ll be able to go over and do everything that you need to work on.
As mentioned above, there are ready-made study schedules available online but you shouldn’t just follow them blindly. Your circumstances might not completely fit the ready-made schedule so it might not completely work for you. Make sure to tweak it according to your current schedule as well as your work and living conditions. This way you can make sure that you can stick to your study plan and be able to prepare for the LSAT effectively.
Practice a lot.
As mentioned above, this test is tricky. However, a lot of experts and previous test-takers will tell you that this test can be conquered with the right tricks. Like any other standardized test, it’s possible to be fully prepared for the LSAT by familiarizing yourself with its format and by practicing answering example LSAT questions.
Make sure to take a diagnostic test and then test yourself periodically as you move forward into your test prep efforts. Simulate the actual test by applying the same time crunch and you can get used to taking the same test format soon enough.
Look for tips that apply specifically to the different LSAT sections.
The sections of the LSAT all prove to be challenging so you might want to prepare for them accordingly. Aside from studying their format and content, you should also look for tips that can help simplify tackling them.
For example, solving an LSAT logic games example every few days is recommended to help you sharpen your analytical skills. Mastering the rules of formal logic is also one of the most popular LSAT logical reasoning tips.
As for the LSAT reading comprehension tips, you should look for the ones that can help you build your reading endurance.
You should also look for ways how to improve your skills in reading actively because that will come in handy in the LSAT and law school, in general.
Most experts will also recommend that you look for a lot of LSAT logic games tips. With this portion being one of the trickiest in the test, you might need a lot more help in this area.
Don’t be afraid to take a guess.
Unlike other standardized tests, the LSAT won’t penalize you for answering incorrectly. It’s actually better to do so if it will let you answer every item in the test. This can boost your odds of picking the correct answer.
There are several tricks in guessing an answer in standardized tests. One is by eliminating the choices that you’re sure are incorrect then picking out one from the remaining options. The other is by having two go-to answers. The consistency and pattern of these choices boost its odds of being correct at some point, so this trick might also work in your favor.
Devise a way how you can effectively take notes and sketch ideas.
When studying for the LSAT, you should also figure out a good technique in taking down notes and sketching your ideas. This will help you become more efficient in answering the said test.
How? Taking notes can help you digest long passages with more ease. However, you should find a way to do it quick so you don’t eat up too much time in a single passage. Sketching ideas, on the other hand, will allow you to process your thoughts effectively which can then help you formulate answers.
Get the best study materials.
Getting the best LSAT study books and other test prep materials is also a good way to prepare for the said test.
LSAT study books won’t just provide the information you need to answer the test but they will also help you get more familiar with the format and nature of the exam.
However, some people might find LSAT study books insufficient to help them get fully ready for the test.
In such cases, you can get other supplemental materials like flashcards and workbooks among many others.
Don’t hesitate to hire help if you feel like you need it.
Sometimes, even the best LSAT prep book won’t feel helpful enough when getting ready for the said test. As people have different learning styles, some folks just don’t thrive when self-studying. If you feel like this is your case, you can also opt to sign up for LSAT prep courses. They’re available in various formats so you can choose the one that will best suit your needs and preferences.
Consider retaking the LSAT.
Despite its steep price tag, some people opt to include taking the LSAT as a part of their preparation process.
Why? Actual test-taking experience will tell you nearly everything about the standardized test.
This can then help you craft a good prep process because you already know everything that you should expect
By taking it while knowing that you can retake it again and do better next time can also relieve you from the pressures that come with the test. It will then help you gauge your actual knowledge and skills the first round. You can then use your previous score to determine whether your preparations were very useful.
Make time for self-care.
Aside from studying for the test, you should also make sure to care for your well-being when preparing for the LSAT. Your test prep period will be tough and it might take a toll on your health if you don’t practice some self-care measures.
Make sure to get enough sleep and manage your stress effectively so you can stay on top of your test prep efforts. It would be ideal to avoid getting test anxiety while getting ready for a crucial test, so do not overlook this important tip.