10 Easy Ways to Increase Your LSAT Score

1. Learn simple logic.

I know it might seem intimidating. However, the basics are pretty straightforward - the converse (mistaken reversal), the inverse (mistaken negation), and the contrapositive. Memorize them, and you'll soon begin to recognize them.


2. Take the LSAT in your junior year of college, if possible.

If you do the majority of your studying in the summer before your junior year, or during your winter break, you can study at a more relaxed pace. This lets you study without the distraction of your junior-year classes. If you wait until the fall of senior year, you'll be applying later in the admissions cycle. Law school applications are generally considered as soon as you submit them. The earlier you apply, the less competition you encounter.

3. Skip around.

In Logical Reasoning (Arguments) and Reading Comprehension skip the hardest questions and do them last. Each question on the LSAT is weighted equally, and you don't lose points for guessing.

4. Complete a few 5-section exams beforehand.

This test is long. Although your LSAT prep books only have 4 sections each (plus the writing sample), on exam day you will also have an experimental section, which doesn't count. LSAC only gives you a ten-minute break after the 3rd section. The February, October, and December exams start at 9AM (June starts at 1PM). The best way to prepare and increase your LSAT stamina is to take multiple exams beforehand. As you get closer to your test date, insert one section from a different exam to serve as the experimental. Talk to someone at the school where you'll take the LSAT and see if you can take a practice exam in the room where you'll take the real thing. Also, make sure that you don't buy books containing fake questions. See my post with LSAT book recommendations for more information.

5. Prepare like it's the real thing.

Take your practice exams at the same time each day when you'll be taking the LSAT. Try to study in quiet areas at first. Turn off your cell phone and computer. If possible, study one-to-two hours at a minimum. As you become more comfortable with the exam, study in a library, coffee shop, or diner. If you can focus on the LSAT in public, you'll be able to concentrate no matter how noisy your test center is.

6. Create a basic diagram for each logic game.

Make one at bottom of your booklet (you are not allowed to use scratch paper on the LSAT). For every "if" question, create a tiny diagram next to the choices. I suggest my students don't erase old work because it helps them in future questions within that game. Every second counts when you're trying to complete all 4 games in 35 minutes. See my post with LSAT Logic Games advice for more information.

7. Remember that the writing sample isn't a big deal.

Even though it's not scored, and despite the fact that your brain will be fried after completing the rest of the exam, the Law School Admissions Council still makes you do it. If you don't complete it, your LSAT score won't be valid. Write it in script if you can. The more words you use, and the more paragraph breaks you have, the better. This applies to writing in general. See my LSAT Writing Sample tips for more information.

8. Take care of your body.

Your brain needs energy to solve those mind-boggling LSAT questions, so feed it with healthy food and plenty of protein. Exercising will also get more oxygen flowing to your brain.

9. Prepare for the LSAT right the first time.

Don't take it just to see how you'll do. The majority of law schools don't average multiple LSAT scores anymore, but they'll still see all your scores. Show them how you do at your best, and don't let them see where you started out.

10. Read reviews of test sites before registering.

Test centers aren't all the same. Dress comfortably for any test environment, and visit this site for LSAT test center reviews.



2 comments: