A student preparing to take the LSAT recently asked:
How long should I spend preparing for the LSAT?
The LSAT is designed so students can’t prepare for it. That is, it will not test your knowledge, it will test your ability to analyze and comprehend what you read in the test. As a result, people spend far less time preparing for the LSAT than other advanced degree exams (e.g. GMAT or MCAT).
To prepare for the LSAT, I suggest you practice by taking old LSAT exams (some are posted for free on the LSAT website and others can be purchased as part of LSAT preparation books) once a week for 6-8 weeks before the exam.
This time period will help you become familiar with the LSAT’s format. Also, you should be sure you know how to write out the puzzles/games presented in the LSAT. If you need help with this, an LSAT prep book can be useful.
How long did you spend studying and practicing for the LSAT? If you have any advice, please add it here for other students.
Related posts:
October 21st, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I used http://www.acelsat.com and was impressed to say the least. I would highly recommend them to anyone preparing for the LSAT.
October 21st, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Sorry, I thought the title of the article said How to study for the LSAT. In regards to How Long, I studied 6 days a week for a full year and so did the several hundred other guys that I studied with. Our average score was a 164 with many people in the 170′s and a few that even scored a 180. It really just depends on where you want to go and how big a scholarship you want.
November 18th, 2008 at 5:43 am
If a student is aiming at a top law school I would recommend up to 6 months of study time for the LSAT. Purchase the Powerscore Bibles on Logical Reasoning, Logical Games, and Reading Comprehension. Know the test inside out, take a prep-course if you have to but it really is not that needed. Above all, be patient and do NOT over-study. (You should have roughly 12-15 tests under you belt in the 6 month period going into the test)
December 21st, 2008 at 4:22 am
An acquintance of mine, told me he bought the prep book and went through it several times over the course of two months. He took the 4 3 hour tests at the end of the prep book and showed me his score of 156. I have about the same amount of time he had..actually a little less. He told me to do as much studying as possible for 3 hours at time and if I don’t pass it, take it again. Is the LSAT a test anyone would want to go through twice?
February 1st, 2009 at 2:34 pm
i am planning to take the 02/09 test. i have only taken a weekend cram course with powerscore–excellent course by the way. time has gotten away from me and i haven’t studied. is it advisable to cram over the next 7 days and expect to do well on the lsat? i want to apply for fall admission.
February 1st, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Warren, there is no clear answer to your question, but here are some tips to figuring out the answer for your particular situation.
Although most students spend more time taking practice exams, the LSAT is designed to test student’s logic and reasoning skills, not the knowledge they have before the exam. However, familiarity with the LSAT is important to improve your logic and reasoning speed on the exam. Also, you must know how to write out a diagram of the puzzles/games questions, so if you don’t feel like you can quickly do that, I suggest waiting to take the LSAT until you feel ready in that area. One final suggestion: don’t study more than a half hour on the second and third day before the LSAT, and don’t study at all on the day before the LSAT. The reason is, the LSAT is like a mental marathon, and exercising right before a marathon can decrease the energy you need on the big day.
May 14th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Hi All,
I was wondering if one month of intense study for the LSAT would be sufficient to doing well on the test? I’ve bought some prep books and I’m not currently working, so I have all the time I need in a month. Thanks for your help!
May 15th, 2009 at 10:17 am
John, in general, one month should be enough time to prepare. I suggest for your particular situation that you evaluate your speed and accuracy on some practice exams to determine whether you feel you are ready at that time.
June 9th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
John, if you have achieved good results in the past by cramming for a difficult test, then cram for the LSAT. If not, reschedule to pace your study over six months, six hours (two practice tests) per week. DO NOT attempt to cram for any test if past attempts to do so have brought lackluster results.
August 7th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Different people need different amounts of prep. I would suggest taking 3-4 actual LSATS about 6 months before you want to take the exam. Your scores should tell you if you need to study hard for 6 months or not. I did this and realized I didn’t need to work on LR or RC at all, but I did need to improve my time for the games. Six months of studying would have been a waste of time for me; I needed six weeks.
December 6th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
To all: Think long and hard about becoming a lawyer in the first place. Many choose this path – way too early in life – only to find they simply cannot stand practicing law any longer.
Without question, there are just far too many attorneys in this country. Law school has become the no-brainer, default position for aimless college students. Forget the prestige and do something far, far more rewarding. There are countless paths to choose from.
April 7th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
Hey i am a college freshman and i plan to become a lawyer receiving as of now a undergraduate education at a community college. I wanted to know if i have a great shot of getting into a top tier school if i practice for the LSAT and maybe get a 175-180 score by the time i’m a senior. Afcourse also keeping a 3.5-4.0 average on rigorous course in my local college. I really hope someone answers.Thanks.
April 12th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
I am looking to write my LSAT in june, I have taken a weekend prep course back in february and so did 2 mock tests then – I scored 156 on both. I thought this was good so I’ve been taking it pretty easy with studying. My test is 8 weeks away now and so how intensely should I study? Have I screwed myself over by slacking off since I took the prep course?
November 29th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Aliza,
You’re in great shape for law school Keep up the grades and don’t start studying until your sophomore year. You can take the LSAT in your junior year and apply early to schools. I started at a community college and I did fine! good luck!
I suggest to everyone to study 4 hours a day for the 6 weeks up until the lsat. Take at least 12 practice tests in that time (two a week and then more starting 2 weeks prior).
Buy all the powerscore books and start going through them all twice within that 6 week period. If you do that, you don’t need to buy a course. And stay AWAY from kaplan books! Horrible!!
good luck
December 1st, 2010 at 11:42 pm
Rachel,
Thanks sooo much for that information…I just recently decided I wanted to go to law school and I am starting to get into the LSAT stuff…and funny thing was today I picked up a Kaplan book to read through it….I am SOOOOOOOO happy I didnt go ahead and buy it…lol!!! and I am hoping to follow your plan…and maybe possibly take it in Feb 2011!!!