Question #6: How do I deal with the LSAT?


The LSAT is your adversary. Deal with it accordingly. This test disappoints, in varying degrees, 95% of LSAT test-takers, because everyone wants a score in the top five percent. Law schools, in effect, use the LSAT like a form of IQ test. The major law schools compete against each other in the reported results of the 25th-percentile and 75th-percentile LSAT scores for their entering classes. A high LSAT score does not guarantee your admission, but a low score can make it very difficult to be admitted.

The most important rules to remember in dealing with the LSAT are as follows:
  • Don't take the official LSAT test until you are consistently scoring in practice the score you need for the school you want.
  • Students who practice the test frequently generally get a much better official test result.
  • Plan to take the official test only one time. Ideally, you want to show only one official, and high, result.
But if your first official result is disappointing, you have two more opportunities to improve. Continue rigorous LSAT prep. Test your progress with true timed practice LSATs new to you. Is your score rising? Have you made genuine progress? If so, then take the official LSAT again.

If you wisely choose to work before going to law school, you don't need to do anything with the LSAT while you are in college. LSAT preparation should become one of your most important post-college tasks. Start this process by taking a free diagnostic LSAT test at Kaplan, PowerScore, Princeton Review, Testmasters or any of the smaller LSAT prep organizations. Pick the program most appealing to you and work hard in it. Then when you finish, purchase a series of old, official LSAT tests and answers. Take many practice tests. Learn from every mistake. When you are consistently achieving the score you need for the school you want, then take the June or October test one year before the year you will start law school.

Go to Question #7: What do you mean by law-related reading?