How to Prepare For Lsat

What Will the LSAT Be Like?

The LSAT consists of five sections in total, out of which, four are graded sections and one is an experimental section. The following is a breakdown of the four known sections in the LSAT:

• Reading comprehension (one section)
• Analytical reasoning (one section)
• Logical reasoning (two sections)

As of 2019, the LSAT is an entirely digitalized test that is meant to be taken on a tablet with a stylus, provided by the LSAC. You will be allotted 35 minutes of time to complete each set of multiple choice questions. The entire testing process can take over four hours to complete, including the breaks and administration time.

How to Prepare for the LSAT

The purpose of the LSAT is to test the skills needed to succeed in legal studies. Law schools across the country rely on this score as a measure of how well you will perform in the first year of law school, and subsequently, on the bar exam.

The test basically assesses your ability to read and understand complex materials, logical reasoning, analyzing information and performing in a stressful, timed environment. To prepare for the LSAT, aspiring lawyers are advised to spend 4-6 hours every week, for at least three to four months before the date of the test.

The following is a list of things you ought to do to prepare for the LSAT:

Review the Format of the Test – Before you get into the preparation for the LSAT, it is important to understand the format and layout of the test. This would include taking a look at the instructions and types of questions. The idea is to get familiar and comfortable with the test, so that you don’t have to spend any extra time on this on the test day.

Practice Regularly – The best form of practice would be working through sample questions and explanations. This would help you get used to the type of questions commonly asked in the LSAT and would also prepare you to answer them comprehensively.

Do Mock Tests at Home – You can do this by getting copies of past papers, usually available online. There are a number of collections of past papers available, some with simple answers, while others have explanations with answers as well. Use a timer and create exam room conditions to get the feel of a mock test. Do as many of these as you can at home and keep track of the time and score every time.

Analyze Your Performance – It is important to review your practice tests and see where your performance is going with each new test. You will have to figure out which questions you are getting wrong, and how you can approach similar questions in a better way in the future. This is one of the most important steps of your LSAT prep, therefore, you are advised to spend a considerable amount of time on it.

Be Prepared on the Test Day – It is important to be physically and mentally prepared on the day of the test. A good way to ensure freshness of mind on the test day would be to get plenty of rest the night before. Don’t try to cram information at the last minute and don’t forget to eat a healthy and balanced breakfast.

5 Important Things to Know before You Take the LSAT

Once you have decided on a date and test center to take the LSAT, make sure you are fully prepared for it on the day. Keeping in mind the following five pointers might help you ace the test.

1. Quality over Quantity Is important in LSAT Preparation: Instead of trying to do the maximum number of practice tests, students should focus on a performance review based approach. A good study plan would focus on spending as much time on reviewing practice tests as you spend doing them.
2. Improving Reading Comprehension IS Possible: Most people assume that the reading skill level they have developed in college is pretty much set. Even though that is true to some extent, it is possible to improve in this section. Good study materials, along with patience can take you a long way in this regard.
3. Improve Concentration Skills: The ability to concentrate for longer periods of time can improve your scores across all sections. To do this, you can take up some form of meditation or yoga. This would help you calm your nerves under stress and perform better.
4. Learn Logic: Perhaps one of the best things you can do in your test prep is learn logic well in advance. This means if you are planning to take the LSAT somewhere down the road in a few years, it would be great if you could start learning logic. A lot of the LSAT has to do with logical reasoning, so better to be fully prepared in this regard.
5. Don’t Count ‘Extra Time’ Score: When doing preparation tests, do not count the score for questions attempted in extra time that you give yourself. Specifically in the weeks leading up to the test, you should simulate ‘real test day’ conditions, including strictly timing yourself. If you are giving yourself an extra few minutes at the end of each section, you will basically be setting yourself up for disappointment.