I. How far in advance should I begin preparation for the exam?
II. How many times can I take the exam?
III. How do I register for the test?
IV. How do I know what preparation strategy is right for me?
How far in advance should I begin preparation for the exam?
We recommend that all students allow at least two months for adequate preparation, and preferably three or more. The mental conditioning required to excel on the exam is easiest to attain with maximum preparation time.
How many times can I take the exam?
You can take the exam repeatedly. However, law schools will usually average your scores together. (The LSAC will always report all scores from the last five years.) Therefore, it is very important that you are fully prepared your first time out. If you're not, and you underperform, that initial score will weigh your average down.
Your goal should be to only take the test once, and you should put your maximum effort into preparation your first time through. There is nothing wrong with postponing if you don't feel adequately prepared.
In fact, law schools often tend to favor applicants who've taken a year or two off.
How do I register for the test?
You may register on-line, or order registration materials, at www.lsac.org. Registration deadlines usually fall about a month before the exam, but you should register early to avoid late fees and ensure the test center of your choice.
How do I know what preparation strategy is right for me?
Ask yourself how you tend best to learn. Do you usually get most of your information from classroom lectures? Or do you tend to zone out in class, and learn better with texts and personal study? Everyone has their own learning style, and what's important is that they spend their preparation time in the manner that's most effective for them.
Students should read the articles linked here to get more information about different study approaches. Both Kaplan and Princeton Review sell LSAT prep books that retail for under $40.00, and students may want to review them before signing up for a course. Some students feel they could've done just as well with the prep book. However, it all depends on the student. Make sure you make the choice that's best for you.
One benefit of starting early is you can explore the different options available. You may want to schedule an initial session with us to discuss your goals, and then review the different teaching styles described in the Kaplan and Princeton Review books. You can also check their websites, and speak to students who have tried different preparation methods. You can then make an informed decision on whether to take a course, work with us on your own, or arrange some combination of the two. As noted, however, even students who've taken in-class courses often see significant additional improvement after working with us.
Getting into Law School