5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Studying for the LSAT

For many of us, studying for the LSAT is academically the hardest thing we have ever had to do up until this point in our careers. It is a gruelling and overwhelming test, but it is also manageable if you approach it the right way. Here are five things I wish I had known before I started studying for the LSAT. 

1. Plan to have more time than you think you need 

Initially, I thought having a few months to study for the LSAT would be more than enough time to reach my goal score, but when I reached the end of those few months, I realized I was just getting started. I severely underestimated the amount of time it would take to find prep material that worked for me and a routine that helped me improve. I would get all the tools and subscriptions that people recommended on the internet, just to cancel them a month later because it was not working for me. I repeated this cycle because I thought I should give each tool a fair chance, but I realized there was a reason why it was not working for me. After trial and error, I found that I liked studying with the LSAT Demon the best. They have so many practice tests, practice sections, live/recorded classes, and a drilling feature that makes studying more manageable. Once I grasped the basics of the test, I started doing timed practice tests and sections and thoroughly reviewed my mistakes, which revealed where I had more learning to do. After I reached this point in my studying, I realized that the test itself is not as complicated as I made it out to be; I just need more time. 

2. Accuracy over time 

It was hard for me to grasp how to get a high score in a section without finishing it, but after practice, I found that finishing a smaller number of questions but having high accuracy is more important than finishing all of the questions but having a low accuracy. Additionally, the better you get at something, the faster you go, so naturally, you can complete the entire section with higher accuracy with practice. When I learned to slow down and focus on only the question in front of me, I saw the test in a whole different way. 

3. The LSAT is a learnable test 

The LSAT is something you don't need to have any prior knowledge of in order to be good at it; in fact, outside knowledge is generally discouraged on the test. It is difficult to see others with a high diagnostic score and just assume they are cut out for this and you’re not, but that's far from the truth. It is a skill-based test, not an IQ test, and improvement will naturally come from practice. 

4. Don't underestimate burnout 

As someone who is a procrastinator, don't assume that if you study for 5-8 hours a day for the next 2-3 months that you will reach your goal score. The LSAT is a mentally draining test, and there's only so much you'll be able to take in one day. 1-2 hours of high-quality studying a day is enough to learn and prevent burnout throughout your journey. 

5. Remember, everybody is different 

Just because a study strategy or study schedule worked for someone else doesn't mean it will work for you. You learn a lot about your study habits during this test that you probably didn't know during university, because this is the longest you’ve ever studied for one test, so take some time to try different methods and find what works. 

Overall, studying for the LSAT is very manageable if you approach it the right way. Having better study habits, being patient with yourself, and having a realistic plan will help you out tremendously in the long run. It's easy to get caught up in your practice test scores, Reddit forums, or someone else's journey, but remember this journey is your own, and how you approach it is entirely up to you. Happy studying!