Quick Tip
Don’t try to make a wrong answer right.
This is something I’ve noticed in myself, as well as with tutoring clients. Sometimes on tough LSAT questions, after eliminating a few answer choices—you’re down to two. And you don’t really like either of them. You say to yourself, “Well, I guess I eliminated the others for a reason,” and wind up choosing an answer choice that has a tiny issue with it.
Remember: if you feel like an answer choice isn’t completely right, that’s a sign. If an answer has a tiny issue, it’s still completely wrong! Our brains naturally want certainty. Anytime you feel like you’re talking yourself into a certain answer choice, that may be a signal you should bring back some eliminated ACs and see if you glossed over something.
Discussion
Are You Rushing the Process?
The decision to take the LSAT is a big one, but when to take the LSAT is an often overlooked decision that can affect you negatively if you don’t think it through! When students take the LSAT before they’re ready, they oftentimes wind up spending more money on the test than necessary (retakes), and sometimes hurt their admissions chances. Below are a few points to consider:
1. Use your PTs as a guide.
On my first LSAT, my goal score was mid-170s. The problem was: I had only broken 170 on a PT once. (I didn’t break 170 on that official test, either.) Don’t assume that some test-day magic is going to get you to your goal score. Typically, it’s a safe assumption that your LSAT will be +/- 3 points from the average of your most recent PTs. If you are still far from your minimum acceptable score, don’t take the LSAT yet.
2. Be honest with yourself.
Are you working full-time? Do you have a full course load and extracurriculars? Think about these factors when you plan out your LSAT study. If you don’t have much free time, you’ll likely need to extend your study period (more on that in a second). If you’ve only got a few free hours in your day, don’t assume you’ll be able to study 2-3 hours nightly for an extended period. This is how burnout happens! The keyword when creating your study schedule is sustainability. The LSAT is a marathon, not a sprint. I was working full-time when I was studying for the LSAT, and I studied for around an hour a day (sometimes even less). And that leads me into my next point…
3. Overestimate how much time you’ll need.
People (me included) chronically underestimate how much time they’ll need to study for the LSAT. I remember it clearly: I ordered an LSAT book, looked at the calendar, and signed up for the test about three months out. Two months later, I was on the phone with LSAC canceling my scheduled test. I just hadn’t made enough progress. I wound up studying for the LSAT for a year. I never thought it would take that long! I had fallen for a common misconception: that a few months of LSAT work is enough to get a really high score. Generally, test-takers should assume the study process will take at least 6 months. Although, if you’re not able to devote much time to daily studying, or are shooting for a really high score (170+), the study process will likely take longer than that. But think about it: just a few points on this test can literally mean life-changing scholarships and acceptances to dream schools. When you look at it from that perspective, it’s well worth the extra time!