LSAT^® PREP COURSES

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is unlike any test you've taken. It's a skills-based exam designed to test the critical reading and analytical thinking that is crucial for success in law school. Before you begin your LSAT prep, familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of the exam so you can be prepared for what is tested on the LSAT.

How you study for the LSAT depends on your LSAT goals, preferred study style, schedule, and more. The best way to study for the LSAT is to find a method that works for you, make a plan, and stick with it. You may want to study in a traditional classroom, live online, on your own, or even with a tutor. Your LSAT study plan should include learning strategies for every question type, as well as LSAT timing practice.

The answer to "how hard is the LSAT?" is "it depends". The LSAT is unlike any exam you may have encountered in your undergraduate career. LSAT questions ask you to use your critical reading and thinking skills, as well as formal logic. At its core, the LSAT is a skills-based test, which means that you can learn and practice efficient strategies to answer every question you'll see on test day.

When you take the LSAT depends on when you'll be applying to law school. As a general rule, you'll want to take the LSAT no later than the January administration. For example, if you plan on attending law school in September, you'll want to take the LSAT no later than January of the same year so your application is on time for most schools' deadlines. Depending on your schedule and when you'll have time to study, you may want to test over the summer in June or July.

How long you'll spend studying for the LSAT depends on where you start, what your target score is, and what your schedule is. Because the LSAT is a skills-based test, you'll want to prep over several weeks or months so you can learn how to apply LSAT strategies efficiently. Practice with real, released LSATs like the ones in your Kaplan course to practice until you are consistently reaching your goal score.

There are three multiple-choice question types in the LSAT: reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and analytical reasoning, also known as "logic games." LSAT questions measure your ability to read and understand complex texts, your ability to draw reasonable inferences, and your ability to evaluate arguments. You don't need any prior knowledge for the LSAT, but you will need to think critically under time constraints.

While the digital LSAT content is exactly the same as what you’d see on the pen-and-paper LSAT, there are a few things to keep in mind surrounding how the test is administered. First, since you’ll be given a scratch paper booklet and a digital tablet for note-taking, you should develop a note-taking organization system so you don’t get confused by your notes as you’re testing. Second, get used to flagging questions that you skip or answer unconfidently; the digital LSAT has a flagging feature that allows you to revisit any questions that need a second look. Third, when the five minute countdown begins, fill in a bubble—even if it’s just a guess—for any remaining unanswered questions so none are left unanswered at the end of the test. You’ll be able to see the countdown clock for the last five minutes, so you’ll know exactly how much time you have to go back and double check your answers.