It is not uncommon to feel overwhelmed at the prospect of LSAT. After all, your admission to law school relies heavily on how well you perform on LSAT.
The strategy to excel in LSAT requires a deep understanding of the test. It will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses to focus your energy accordingly. It is important to learn the various sections of the LSAT exam. Before you commence your prep, here are some crucial points to know about the test.
1. Take the Practice Test
Your first step is to take a mock test and set a realistic goal for your improvement. If you managed to score in the 140s in the first attempt, aim for 150s in the next one. Remember to take your improvement in stages. Though it wouldn’t hurt to target 180, keep in mind that even a score of 170 would fare well with a strong GPA.
2. Every Question is Important
It is not uncommon for students to want to work on a single question until you get it right, But keep in mind that every question carries the same weight. If you spend too much time on one question, you might miss out potentially easier questions and points
There is also no penalty or negative points on wrong answers. So it is never a bad idea to take a guess on LSAT.
3. Master Logical Reasoning
LSAT Logical Reasoning makes up half the score, so you might want to put in some extra effort in this section. Familiarize yourself with the common Logical reasoning Question types and take advantage of the free course trials available online to prepare. Learn formal logic, which is crucial for both LSAT as well as your future legal education. Understand the basics of the test, which will help you tremendously in scoring better.
4. Note the Argument changes
Reading Comprehension is a tricky part and is more challenging to improve on. One way to boost your performance is to take notes while reading. Make a point to highlight words such as “Nonetheless,” “However,” and “Regardless” that could change the argument or offer evidence. The only way to do better here’s practicing and reading more materials.
5. Don’t Overlook Writing Sample
Many students make the mistake of not preparing sufficiently for the LSAT writing sample. Even though it might not be a part of your LSAT score, law schools might review it as a part of your application. You might not want to risk them having the impression that you never gave the writing section any thought.
6. Focus on Increasing Speed
Once you are confident with the untimed sections, you should start practicing the timed sections. At this stage, it would be best to mimic the LSAT conditions. The more you can mirror the settings, the lower you will find yourself stressed on the day of the test. Even if you are taking the LSAT-Flex at home, taking a test-prep course can help you focus better during the exam.
Last but not least, LSAT is not the kind of exam you want to attend by cramming the previous night. You need to plan your study strategy, and continuously work to hone your skills for the D-Day. Getting a perfect score is not an unachievable target, and with enough preparation, you will have the confidence to ace the test.