Because of the competitive nature of law school applications, many students opt to undergo LSAT preparation training. Finding the right preparation course can be a bit tricky, but be sure to find a course that has a high rate of students who have taken the prep course and then passed the LSAT. It is also a good idea to take a look at which law schools those students were accepted into; the more prestigious, the better the LSAT prep course. Asking for references from current law school students can also help to point you in the right direction. When you finally begin to decide on prep courses, look specifically for courses that focus on methodology and preparation, rather than strictly on studying and rehashing material. Good courses will prepare you for all aspects of the exam, with emphasis on both learning the information and developing the test skills that are necessary for a good LSAT score. One thing that I need to mention – even if you opt to enroll in an LSAT prep course, that doesn’t mean you can forget about studying on your own. These courses are not a substitute for hours upon hours of cramming. At the same time, be careful not to burn yourself out. Yes, you will be stressed. Yes, you will be tired. Take breaks every now and then to release some of the tension that has been building up inside you. There have been countless studies – and I’m sure some of us know from experience – that have shown that students who are overly stressed tend to perform more poorly on exams.
You’ll definitely want to look into taking a couple test exams – some are free, some you have to purchase – so that you can get a feel for how the actual test will be. Take a couple of these after you’ve been studying for a while. Time yourself, and put yourself under the conditions that you’ll be facing when you actually take the LSAT. Grade yourself on your practice LSAT exam, and try and pinpoint your weaknesses. Keep testing and studying to figure out where you need to focus your studying the most. When you feel you’re ready to register for the LSAT, pick a date that is most convenient for you. The date should allow you enough time to study, and line up with an adequate prep course that you will be able to take before the test. This date should be as free from outside stress as possible. One thing to keep in mind, though: don’t delay too long. The longer you wait, the more students there are who have already taken and passed the LSAT, and applied to the law school YOU want to go to. Be prepared. You’ve come a long way to get to this point in your law career, and while there certainly is a lot behind you, there are still a couple big challenges to overcome. The LSAT is a vital part of your journey to become a lawyer that you must undertake, and in order to make the most of it you will have to do a LOT of studying and forget about any other plans… at least until the test is over. The LSAT is definitely hard, but that doesn’t mean that without the right preparation and effort, you won’t pass. Study. Prepare. Pass!
