7 months is more than enough time if you stick with a regular, but moderate, schedule. I've reviewed all books and PrepTests mentioned below in my best LSAT prep books post.
This 28-week schedule is intense. Follow it only if you're studying for the LSAT full-time, or if you're able to study for several hours each weekend. You might have work/school/life obligations that make this impossible. If that's the case, skip some of the "re-do" and "review" weeks, and complete the rest at a more relaxed pace.
Month 1:
Week 1: Complete Pure Sequencing, Basic Linear, and Advanced Linear games. Review each game that gives you trouble.
Week 2: Complete Grouping: In-Out / Selection, Grouping: Splitting, and Grouping: Matching games. Review each game that gives you trouble.
Week 3: Complete Combination games.
Week 4: Complete any Logic Games in older exams of the types that give you difficulty. Complete a few timed sections of Logic Games. Review.
Month 2:
Week 5: Read A Rulebook For Arguments and complete a few more timed sections of Logic Games. Review.
Week 6: Review my articles on Logical Reasoning before completing LSAT questions of each type in PrepTests 52-61 using the LSAT Logical Reasoning spreadsheet (untimed). Complete a few timed sections of Logic Games.
Week 7: Continue Logical Reasoning work from Week 6 with additional question-types and complete a few timed sections of Logic Games.
Week 8: Continue Logical Reasoning work from Week 6 with additional question-types and complete a few timed sections of Logic Games.
Month 3:
Week 9: A brief return to Logic Games: Complete any Logic Games in older exams of the types that give you difficulty (untimed), then complete several timed sections of Logic Games. Review. Complete a few timed sections of Logical Reasoning.
Week 10: Complete Logical Reasoning work from Week 6 with additional question-types and complete a few timed sections of Logic Games.
Week 11: Complete several timed sections of Logical Reasoning from PrepTests 19-28. Review. Also complete some timed sections of Logic Games.
Week 12: Read my articles on Reading Comprehension and complete several sections of Reading Comp from PrepTests 52-61 (untimed). Complete a few timed sections of Logic Games, Logical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension.
Month 4:
Week 13: Complete several timed sections of Reading Comp from older exams. Review. Also complete some timed sections of LG and LR.
Week 14: Catch-up and review week. Re-do the Linear / Sequencing games from PrepTests 52-61. Try to solve them more quickly and make new inferences. Complete timed sections of all types.
Week 15: A brief return to Logical Reasoning: Complete any Logical Reasoning questions in older exams of the types that give you difficulty (untimed), then complete several timed sections of Logical Reasoning. Review. Complete timed sections of all types.
Week 16: Catch-up and review week. Re-do the Grouping and Combination games from PrepTests 52-61. Try to solve them more quickly and make new inferences. Complete timed sections of all types.
Month 5:
Week 17: Catch-up and review week. Re-do the Logical Reasoning questions from PrepTests 52-61 that gave you trouble. Complete timed sections of all types.
Week 18: Complete the 3 tests in LSAC's SuperPrep (timed) and review the explanations. Although the explanations are technical, it's good to learn how the test-makers think. Identify weak areas.
Week 19: Re-read my articles on Logic Games, Logical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension about question-types still giving you trouble.
Week 20: Use my Logic Games categorization to do question-types in older exams that still give you difficulty. Review. Complete some timed sections of LR and RC.
Month 6:
Week 21: Use the Logical Reasoning spreadsheet to do question-types in older exams that still give you difficulty. Review. Complete some timed sections of LG and RC.
Week 22: Do Reading Comp passages about your least-favorite topics in older exams using my Reading Comp passages categorization. Complete a recent LSAT PrepTest under timed conditions. Review.
Week 23: Complete a few timed sections of Logic Games, Logical Reasoning, and Reading Comp, and review. Complete a recent LSAT PrepTest under timed conditions. Review.
Week 24: For the remaining weeks, use these free Logic Games Explanations, these video explanations, and these other LSAT explanations after completing the relevant exam.
Complete 3 recent LSAT PrepTests under timed conditions as 4-section exams. Review each exam on alternating days.
Month 7:
Week 25: Complete 3 recent LSAT PrepTests (timed). Splice in sections from another to simulate experimental sections. Review each exam on alternating days.
Week 26: Complete 3 recent LSAT PrepTests (timed). Splice in sections from another to simulate experimental sections. Consider using one section to create a 6-section exam for extra practice. Review each exam on alternating days.
Week 27: Complete 3 recent LSAT PrepTests (timed). Splice in sections from another to simulate experimental sections. (Again, consider using one section to create a 6-section exam). Review each exam on alternating days.
Week 28: Complete 3 recent LSAT PrepTests (timed). Splice in sections from another to simulate experimental sections. (Again, consider using one section to create a 6-section exam). Review each exam on alternating days. More thoughts on how to simulate the experimental section in this article.
***
Also check out my other sample LSAT study schedules and plans.
This 28-week schedule is intense. Follow it only if you're studying for the LSAT full-time, or if you're able to study for several hours each weekend. You might have work/school/life obligations that make this impossible. If that's the case, skip some of the "re-do" and "review" weeks, and complete the rest at a more relaxed pace.
Month 1:
Review my relevant articles on Logic Games and complete this list of Logic Games from PrepTests 52-61 ordered by difficulty during the first 4 weeks, untimed.
Week 2: Complete Grouping: In-Out / Selection, Grouping: Splitting, and Grouping: Matching games. Review each game that gives you trouble.
Week 3: Complete Combination games.
Week 4: Complete any Logic Games in older exams of the types that give you difficulty. Complete a few timed sections of Logic Games. Review.
Month 2:
Week 5: Read A Rulebook For Arguments and complete a few more timed sections of Logic Games. Review.
Week 6: Review my articles on Logical Reasoning before completing LSAT questions of each type in PrepTests 52-61 using the LSAT Logical Reasoning spreadsheet (untimed). Complete a few timed sections of Logic Games.
Week 7: Continue Logical Reasoning work from Week 6 with additional question-types and complete a few timed sections of Logic Games.
Week 8: Continue Logical Reasoning work from Week 6 with additional question-types and complete a few timed sections of Logic Games.
Month 3:
Week 9: A brief return to Logic Games: Complete any Logic Games in older exams of the types that give you difficulty (untimed), then complete several timed sections of Logic Games. Review. Complete a few timed sections of Logical Reasoning.
Week 10: Complete Logical Reasoning work from Week 6 with additional question-types and complete a few timed sections of Logic Games.
Week 11: Complete several timed sections of Logical Reasoning from PrepTests 19-28. Review. Also complete some timed sections of Logic Games.
Week 12: Read my articles on Reading Comprehension and complete several sections of Reading Comp from PrepTests 52-61 (untimed). Complete a few timed sections of Logic Games, Logical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension.
Month 4:
Week 13: Complete several timed sections of Reading Comp from older exams. Review. Also complete some timed sections of LG and LR.
Week 14: Catch-up and review week. Re-do the Linear / Sequencing games from PrepTests 52-61. Try to solve them more quickly and make new inferences. Complete timed sections of all types.
Week 15: A brief return to Logical Reasoning: Complete any Logical Reasoning questions in older exams of the types that give you difficulty (untimed), then complete several timed sections of Logical Reasoning. Review. Complete timed sections of all types.
Week 16: Catch-up and review week. Re-do the Grouping and Combination games from PrepTests 52-61. Try to solve them more quickly and make new inferences. Complete timed sections of all types.
Month 5:
Week 17: Catch-up and review week. Re-do the Logical Reasoning questions from PrepTests 52-61 that gave you trouble. Complete timed sections of all types.
Week 18: Complete the 3 tests in LSAC's SuperPrep (timed) and review the explanations. Although the explanations are technical, it's good to learn how the test-makers think. Identify weak areas.
Week 19: Re-read my articles on Logic Games, Logical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension about question-types still giving you trouble.
Week 20: Use my Logic Games categorization to do question-types in older exams that still give you difficulty. Review. Complete some timed sections of LR and RC.
Month 6:
Week 21: Use the Logical Reasoning spreadsheet to do question-types in older exams that still give you difficulty. Review. Complete some timed sections of LG and RC.
Week 22: Do Reading Comp passages about your least-favorite topics in older exams using my Reading Comp passages categorization. Complete a recent LSAT PrepTest under timed conditions. Review.
Week 23: Complete a few timed sections of Logic Games, Logical Reasoning, and Reading Comp, and review. Complete a recent LSAT PrepTest under timed conditions. Review.
Week 24: For the remaining weeks, use these free Logic Games Explanations, these video explanations, and these other LSAT explanations after completing the relevant exam.
Complete 3 recent LSAT PrepTests under timed conditions as 4-section exams. Review each exam on alternating days.
Month 7:
Week 25: Complete 3 recent LSAT PrepTests (timed). Splice in sections from another to simulate experimental sections. Review each exam on alternating days.
Week 26: Complete 3 recent LSAT PrepTests (timed). Splice in sections from another to simulate experimental sections. Consider using one section to create a 6-section exam for extra practice. Review each exam on alternating days.
Week 27: Complete 3 recent LSAT PrepTests (timed). Splice in sections from another to simulate experimental sections. (Again, consider using one section to create a 6-section exam). Review each exam on alternating days.
Week 28: Complete 3 recent LSAT PrepTests (timed). Splice in sections from another to simulate experimental sections. (Again, consider using one section to create a 6-section exam). Review each exam on alternating days. More thoughts on how to simulate the experimental section in this article.
***
Also check out my other sample LSAT study schedules and plans.
I can understand 3 months or 2 months to study for this test, but 7 months--this is really complete OVERKILL at this point. I studied for 2 months and scored a 179.
ReplyDeleteMay i ask what your study schedule was like and what courses/books you had? 179 is beyond amazing for 2 months of studying
Deleteliar
DeleteUnbelievable... I doubt preparing for your future is overkill. You may have mastered the LSAT in 2 months, but I rather not take that chance. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve!
I've made the decision to postpone taking the LSAT until June 2011, and found this blog to be very helpful. I plan to follow the 7-month schedule to prepare for the LSAT. Hopefully, I'll be able to report back with great news (a score of 168 or better).
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable
ReplyDeleteWith your 179, you're the exception here (but still committing some kind of part-to-whole flaw...LOL)
Most people probably can't even break 160 with 2 months.
I am also planning to take the June 2011 LSAT, and I have already found this website helpful enough! I really need alot of time to prepare and study, and also deal with all the stress of studying! I just ordered my books^^ We will see how this goes!
ReplyDeleteIs there a need to photocopy any of the sections for this study plan? Also, are the earlier tests (19-28) only used by sections, and not as a full test?
ReplyDeleteok so I'm starting the guide...taking test feb.
ReplyDeleteSteve thanks for creating these schedules, it's one thing less to think about. I just bought the 7 month program for the June 2012 LSAT. Any suggestions on what to do study or go over before the November 28 start date for the program.
ReplyDeleteSteve,
ReplyDeleteIn this week by week, I counted Prep Tests 19-28, 29-38 and 43-62 listed to use/take. Where are Prep Tests 39, 40, 41 and 42?
I think this will definitely be the study program for me--I've been out of school since May and I am working full time. I have time after work and all weekends though! I really like how you structure it so it's not 4 months studying and 3 months wasting time, but something everyday and week!
Glad you like the schedule!
ReplyDeleteI didn't include 39-42 in the schedule because there are only so many of the newest exams that most people will want to get. However, you can complete them as full timed exams, as sections, and/or as questions by type. I'll leave it up to you!
Hello Steve,
ReplyDeleteI found about your blog today. What a tremendous resource for all students who are looking to write LSAT! Thank you very much for your profound information.
I am currently in my third year and because I am doing co-op, I won't finish my undergrad until April, 2014.
Although I work full-time, I have relatively more availability during co-op terms, compared to studying full-time, so I wanted to start preparing for LSAT during this co-op term. I have 3 more co-op terms which give me an opportunity to write LSAT three times before graduation.
After reading satisfying comments throughout your blog, I'd love to buy your 7 month study guide. However, I am not sure if I could re-use this guide for more preparations in the future. Do you update study guides frequently? If so, do you recommend me to buy them every time?
Thank you for reading this long inquiry and looking forward to your response.
John
I have the day to day version of the 7 month plan. Game 1 - p XYZ means do finish section one till page xvz?
ReplyDeletethanks
Hi there,
DeleteNo - it means to complete that particular page.
thanks
DeleteHi Steve,
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your great posts, Steve. I have a rather mundane but extremely vexing issue / question. How do I recreate a booklet when I take my Practice Tests?? Stapling does not work, because you need the opposing pages for logic games and reading comprehension. I took one practice test I had inserted into a folder (like a kid's folder - hole punched with the clasps in the middle), but it creates huge issues with the crease on both sides in the middle. What do you recommend?? Thanks very much.
- Carson
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete