Your Basic LSAT Guide

For anyone wishing to attend law school, the LSAT is indeed very important in determining whether or not admission is possible. Most law schools consider the LSAT score the main factor for accepting students. An effective way to prepare for LSAT is to find out all information relevant to it so that you get a complete understanding of what you are about to take on. Below is an LSAT guide to the basic aspects of the test:

LSAT guide – what you can expect from the test:

First, LSAT is similar to SAT in the sense that both are aptitude tests that measure specific abilities of the test takers. In the case of the LSAT, this test measures the logic thinking and reasoning skills of an applicant to see whether they have what it takes to make it in law school. LSAT is quite demanding because taking the exam itself is already a test of endurance because it lasts about three and a half hours long, plus there is a writing section that you have to complete in 30 minutes. All in all, the entire test can take about five hours, including the break and other administrative details.

The great thing about the LSAT is that there are very little changes to it each year. It has been the same test in essence for the last decade so this means applicants only need to practice as much as they can on answering prep tests and learning effective test strategies so they can become ready for LSAT.

LSAT guide to test questions and sections:

The LSAT consists of five sections employing a multiple-choice type of test. The questions number about 101 in total and each correct answer gets one point. The multiple-choice sections are tests on Logical Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. There is also a writing sample section where the applicant has to write an essay on a given topic.

LSAT guide to registration:

Interested applicants can take the LSAT in any of these months – February, June, October and December. If you intend to apply for admission to law school in the fall, it is best that you take the LSAT on October or December. For specific dates and test sites, check the website of the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Applicants are advised to register for the test as early as possible.

Having enough time to prepare for the LSAT is very important. You need to practice answering sample tests and questions as much as you can. You can seek basic LSAT guide to studying from books, software, preparation classes and many online resources. Find out which study option will work for you, your needs and learning habits.

Information On The LSAT Examination

The Law School Admission Test, or better known as LSAT examination, is a test that is administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Its purpose is to provide both US-based and Canada-based law schools a standard of measuring the overall reading, verbal and reasoning skills of aspiring law students. In short, different law schools use the LSAT examination to assess applicants.

The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) administers the LSAT examination four times a year. The LSAT examination is a very long exam that typically takes more than 3 hours. The LSAT examination is composed of the following:

- Six sections lasting 35 minutes per section
- Five sections containing multiple-choice type of questions
- One un-scored section (sample writing)

There are different test forms used for every exam and each form presents the different sections of multiple choices in random order to prevent the applicants from cheating during the examination. The LSAT examination includes the following:

- 2 sections for logical reasoning that require you to analyze logical error statements (24 to 26 items).
- 1 section for analytical reasoning that involves solving compound reasoning puzzles (24 items).
- 1 section for reading comprehension that requires you to answer questions after reading a passage (26 to 28 items).
- 1 experimental section that can be any of the other sections (it will not be specified).
- Last section is the writing sample that takes thirty minutes. It is an essay writing section on a given topic. The writing sample is not scored. Nevertheless, it will be included in your law school application as a demonstration of your thinking and writing skills.

It is very important to acquire as much knowledge as you can on the different sections of the LSAT examination. You can ask for several LSAT tips from others who have already passed so you can develop your own learning strategy.

The score scale of the LSAT examination ranges from 120 to 180 and 150 is the average score. Top-notch law schools accept applicants with a minimum score of 160.

The Law School Admission Council administers the LSAT examination every February, June, October, and December in various locations all over the world. Most applicants take the test earlier, typically in June or October. Check the upcoming LSAT test dates online so you can pick your preferred schedule. In addition, this will give you enough time to study and prepare for the LSAT examination.

Are LSAT Courses Right For You?

If you are considering entering law school, you would need plenty of time to get ready for LSAT. Many applicants are taking LSAT courses to prepare themselves, the question is should you enroll in one, too? Before you commit to an LSAT course, you need to be aware that it is just like a class that you need to attend so it will eat up your time. Be prepared to set ample time for your LSAT course study.

At the same time, live LSAT courses can be expensive costing as much as $900 dollars for a comprehensive course. Moreover, not everyone in the class is at the same skill level so sometimes the teacher would need to spend time on questions that may not be difficult for you. Think about these things when deciding whether LSAT courses are right for you.

Of course, there are two sides to everything. One advantage of LSAT courses is that it allows you to interact with other aspiring law students. Meeting new friends who are going through the same thing as you do can be helpful in reducing stress. In addition, you might also become friends with really smart people who can give you tips on how to study and prepare well for the LSAT.

Additionally, when you enrolling in LSAT courses – assuming you chose a quality program- you will receive quality preparation materials and get access to plenty of sample LSAT questions, old official exams, explanations to answers and so many more helpful resources that will help you master the strategies you would need to conquer LSAT.

LSAT courses also give a student the opportunity to go through a simulation LSAT test, which is also timed and supervised by a proctor. Usually, the practice tests are previous LSAT tests so the student becomes very familiar with the actual test format and what it is like to take the test. This can help reduce jitters during the actual LSAT exam day.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of LSAT courses is the instructors because these people have aced the LSAT and have taught other applicants how they can do the same. Enrolling in LSAT courses allows you to tap the brains of these individuals and learn from them.

Should you do decide that it is best for you to enroll in an LSAT prep class, consider the two most well-known LSAT courses from Princeton Review and Kaplan. These institutions are known for their excellent success rates, decades of experience, and high-quality preparation resources. Visit their websites to learn more about each of their course features so you can decide which one is best for you.

Reasons For Failing The LSAT

A lot of students want to become future lawyers. The first step to achieve this dream is to take the LSAT to enroll in a Canadian or US law school. LSAT or Law School Admission Test is a standardized school designed by the Law School Admission Council. The test aims to measure and evaluate a student’s analytical, logistics, verbal and reading skills that are essential in the study and practice of law.

While many of them reach the law school’s LSAT passing mark, there are also some who do not. There are several reasons on why they fail the exam.

One reason for failing the LSAT is that the examinee may be lagging behind his optimal pace for test taking. In LSAT, time is a very important factor. It has been observed that most test takers run out of time before completing at least one section of the exam. Students may even have to answer the test at a faster tempo than what is comfortable for them.

Examinees should therefore develop their most favorable pace which yields the highest probability of getting the greatest number of correct answers. A very useful and tried way of doing this is to practice LSAT tests and adhering strictly to the official time limits.

Another reason for failing the LSAT is that many examinees attempt perfection. In LSAT, an examinee might miss a few questions but still get a high score. Therefore, an examinee should refrain from staying on one tough question. If the question is difficult to answer, he should skip it and move on. He can always go back to that question if he has time.

Another reason for failing the LSAT is that the examinees also over-analyze a question. It is important to note that the items in LSAT are clear, unambiguous and always contain one best answer. If the examinee believes his thoughts about a particular question is clear as he reads and consider a question, then he should trust his instincts and choose that answer. Making second guesses about one’s own judgment can sometimes lead to errors.

However, being too passive can also lessen an examinee’s chances of avoiding failing the LSAT. He should go over the test items quickly but carefully since there are key words in the test item that should not be missed in order to get the correct answer. The examinee should underline keywords or make important notes at the margins.

But the most common reason some examinees fail in LSAT is that they do not have enough preparation. Absence or a lack of preparation will be detrimental since the examinee won’t be familiar or comfortable with the test. He wouldn’t be able to build the physical and mental endurance that is needed to survive the half day long exam.

By avoiding the above factors, an examinee is sure to pass the LSAT.

Choosing The Best LSAT Prep Course

In choosing an LSAT prep course, keep in mind that there is no single best LSAT prep course for everyone and that finding the best LSAT prep course simply means choosing which one will suit your particular needs best. In this regard, you need to identify what elements of a course are important for you.

For instance, do you prefer an LSAT prep course with plenty of practice tests and guide materials or more of classroom classes? Do you require more of personal attention? When you know what you need in order to prepare well for the LSAT, you can easily review the many companies offering such courses to find the best LSAT prep course to meet your needs.

One very important element of an LSAT prep course that you need to look at is the instructor. You want a teacher who is not only experienced but also enthusiastic in guiding students in studying for and taking the LSAT test. To choose the best LSAT prep course, you need to find out who will be teaching your course. You can call a particular company to get this information directly from them.

Do not make the mistake of thinking that someone who scored higher in the LSAT will automatically make a better LSAT prep course teacher. Someone with a high LSAT score would only be effective as an instructor if he or she can teach a class how to score well. You can ask former students how effective an LSAT teacher is prior to enrolling in a course. In addition, having law school or law practice experience is nice but not necessary. The LSAT is all about logic and comprehension so there is no legal knowledge required to teach LSAT.

The best LSAT prep course for you is one that utilizes different methods to help you become familiar with the various sections of LSAT. Most prep courses focus on teaching methods for tackling a specific section of the LSAT test. For instance, if you feel that you need help in the Analytical Reasoning section then the best LSAT prep course for you would be one that focuses more on this area. However, you also need to make sure that you master the methods on Logical Reasoning because the LSAT contains two entire sections of this.

Other things that you may also consider when selecting an LSAT prep course are the prep materials that you will get upon enrollment such as prep tests or copies of recent official LSAT tests. You can prepare for LSAT in several ways. If you do well on self-study and managing your time, then an LSAT prep book may be enough for you. However, if you need guidance, then either a live course or online course is the best LSAT prep course for you.

What Is The LSAT Average Score?

The Law School Admission Test or better known as LSAT is a compulsory test for entering law schools approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) all over the United States and Canada.

The LSAT does not have connections with any court system and is not simply a formality. It is a test administered to assess applicants of their thinking abilities, communication proficiency and reasoning skills. In other words, the LSAT sets a standard for applicants who wish to attend a law school in the US or Canada.

Best LSAT prep course can be very stressful and students who are preparing for the LSAT tend to speculate and worry too much about the LSAT average. They are anxious whether they will get a higher score or a lower score than the national LSAT average score. One should only worry about the LSAT average score after taking the exam and once he or she has received a score report. Worrying before taking the exam will only distract a test taker in his or her preparation.

The LSAT average score is also called the “cut-off score”. How important is your LSAT score? An applicant’s LSAT score must be higher than the LSAT average set by universities in order to be admitted. Aside from law school, there are business schools that also use the national LSAT average score as one of their score standards for accepting applicants.

Because your LSAT score is one of the major factors that will determine whether you get accepted to law school, it is best to aim for a good LSAT score rather than focusing on just going above the LSAT average score. Many applicants also settle for just meeting the so-called LSAT average but this should not be your goal. Instead, aim for the highest score possible to guarantee entry into law and some business schools. If you have a high LSAT score, you may even have the privilege to pick the law or business school of your choice.

Preparing for LSAT will require your 100% concentration so, as a word of advice, do not worry about your score while you are still in the stage of preparation. When you think that you are already prepared, take the LSAT and wait for the result. Once you have your LSAT score, if your score is high enough, you can begin researching the LSAT cut-off scores of the law or business school that you want to enter.

Selecting An LSAT Book For Self-Study

The LSAT (Law School Admission Test) is not like any other tests that you have taken in all your years in school. LSAT is not about memorizing facts. It is not based on knowledge – legal or any other type of knowledge. LSAT tests the skills of a person to use logic and reasoning to analyze text and scenarios and come up with conclusions. There are no formulas used to answer LSAT questions.

Quick, thorough and strategic thinking is the key to ace the test. The good thing is you can study and practice to sharpen your thinking and reasoning skills. There are different options you can consider to prepare for LSAT – self-study, online classes, live prep courses, LSAT software and even LSAT DVD programs.

Self-studying is the most practical way to prepare for LSAT. While it is convenient because you do not have to attend classes somewhere, self-study requires a lot of discipline. If this is your choice, you need to create and stick with a schedule for your LSAT study and practice.

Obviously, the best self-study material is an LSAT book. Make sure to select books that are relevant to what you need. Do not base your purchasing decision on someone else’s recommendation because their needs might be different from yours. For instance, if you need to help with the basics of LSAT then of course an advanced LSAT book will only further confuse you. Always identify your particular study needs first and base you LSAT book choices on these.

A good alternative to an LSAT book that is not too costly is an online LSAT prep course. It contains practically the same prep material as a live prep course, only you have the advantage of accessing the lessons online instead of attending a class. Many web-based prep courses provide students with an online contact that they can consult if they have questions, which actually makes it a better choice over an LSAT book. Consider this option if you want the freedom to study without the coaching of a teacher but want support when you need it, which you will not get from an LSAT book.

If you are certain that an LSAT book is all you would need to prepare for the LSAT, make sure not to buy used LSAT books from someone who got it from best LSAT prep course. The materials provided in such courses are not meant for self-study and will not be helpful to you. Make sure to purchase an LSAT book designed for your purposes. An LSAT book can be all the help you need because the test methods and strategies taught in live or online courses are generally the same as those taught in prep books. However, how effective the LSAT book is will depend on whether self-study is indeed the best way for you to learn.