How to Study for the LSAT

Are you taking the LSAT soon? Doing well on the LSAT is an important part of applying to law school. This guide to how to study for the LSAT will show you what you need to do to prepare for the LSAT.

How to Set Up a Study Schedule for the LSAT

The video gives tips on setting up a study schedule for the LSAT. You need to start early and have a schedule to ensure you're adequately prepared. Make sure to divide your time among the various sections of the LSAT. Look at the published schedules for formal classes, and use that to allocate your time.

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Introduction
- Although the LSAT is not a test of academic knowledge that you can study for, you can practice the analytical skills that will be examined on the test.
Step 1: About the LSAT
- The Law School Admission Test, or LSAT, is administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).
1. The LSAT is administered four times a year, in February, June, October, and December.
2. There are five 35 minute multiple choice sections, as well as a 35 minute writing sample.
  1. One of the multiple choice sections is an experimental section, and is included to test out future questions.
  2. The nonscored section is not identified
  3. The writing section is not scored, but is included with the test results sent to law school admissions departments.
3. You need to register at least 3 weeks prior to the scheduled test date.
4. The test covers general analytical abilities, not academic knowledge.
5. The questions test three areas of ability:
  1. Reading comprehension
  2. Logical reasoning (2 sections)
  3. Analytical reasoning
6. Score range: 120-180
  1. 50th percentile score: 150
  2. 99th percentile score: 172
7. Law schools usually average scores if taken more than once
Step 2: Prepare for the LSAT
- Plan on spending about 50 hours over two months to adequately prepare for the LSAT. Do some prep work each day.
1. Before beginning your preparation, take a practice exam under test conditions, to assess your baseline performance level.
  1. Test prep companies, such as Kaplan or Princeton Review, will generally do this at the first class session.
  2. You also can do this on your own by downloading a sample test from the LSAC website or purchasing practice exams.
2. For the first three weeks of preparation, take one practice test each week.
  1. Spend the week after you take each test thoroughly analyzing each question, determining why you it right or wrong.
  2. After the third week, you should have a clear idea of where you are weakest.
  3. Devote most of your remaining preparation time to areas you need the most improvement in.
3. Taking a logic course in college will help you prepare for the logic sections of the test.
4. Time yourself while working through practice questions.
5. Take as many practice tests, under test conditions, as possible.
Step 3: There's No Penalty for Guessing
- Unlike the SAT, the LSAT only counts correct answers. There are no deductions for guessing, so make sure you fill in every bubble.
Conclusion
- The key to preparing for the LSAT is to take practice tests, analyze the results, work on your weak areas, and test again . Make sure each practice test is timed, and taken under conditions as close to those as you'll experience on test day as possible.
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