Written by: WSCL Admissions Team
Every aspiring lawyer has a first big hurdle to cross to get into law school: the LSAT. For many future lawyers, preparing for the test feels like the beginning of a long climb. And while the test is difficult, it isn’t impossible. With a clear plan and some smart strategies, you can turn this climb into more of a hike that’s totally doable.
To help students feel empowered to take this step, we’ve put together this guide: a mix of practical advice, test-day insights, and preparation strategies designed to make the LSAT less intimidating and a lot more approachable.
What the LSAT Is (and How it has Changed)
The LSAT, or Law School Admission Test, is the standardized exam accepted by all ABA‑accredited law schools, including Western State College of Law. Its purpose is to test whether you have the mental tools you need to thrive in law school, namely, logical reasoning, reading comprehension, and (though currently unscored by LSAC) analytical writing.
In August 2024, LSAC overhauled the format: logic games (analytical reasoning) have been removed and replaced by a second logical reasoning section. So now, the test has two logical reasoning sections, one reading comprehension section, and an unscored experimental section.
The LSAT’s writing section has also changed. Instead of choosing between two options and defending your pick, you now have to look at multiple viewpoints, weigh the evidence, and build a well-reasoned argument for the situation. It’s still unscored, but because every law school you apply to will see it, you should take it seriously.
How the LSAT Is Structured
Understanding the LSAT’s structure is half the battle. When you know what’s coming, you can train for it the way an athlete prepares for game day by working on pacing, stamina, and focus.
Scored Multiple-Choice Sections
The LSAT has three sections that are scored: two in Logical Reasoning and one in Reading Comprehension. Each is 35 minutes long, and every question is worth the same points. So you’ll need to learn to pace yourself, because that’s as important as getting the questions right.
Logical Reasoning is the core of the LSAT. You’ll be given short arguments and asked to identify assumptions, spot flaws, or figure out how to strengthen or weaken the reasoning. With about 25 questions per section, you’ll have just over a minute per, so fast thinking is key. And because this part now makes up two sections, it’ll be the bulk of your overall score.
Reading Comprehension is more like a marathon, rather than the sprint that Logical Reasoning is. You’ll read dense passages, often pulled from the law, sciences, or humanities. Then you’ll answer questions about their structure, meaning, and tone. Now, this part of the test depends on the reading habits you’ve built over the years, so it’s also the toughest to improve on. But you can still improve with lots of practice and learning to focus and read more strategically.
The Experimental Section
Every LSAT includes an unscored experimental section. It looks identical to the others, and there’s no way to know which one it is while testing. LSAC uses it to try out new questions. Since you can’t tell it apart, you have to give full effort across all sections.
The Writing Sample
The writing component is unscored but sent to law schools. The new version presents multiple perspectives on an issue and asks you to craft an argument that balances evidence and counterpoints. It mirrors the kind of writing you’ll do in law school. Don’t ignore it; strong writing here reinforces your communication skills.
Timing, Scoring, and Attempts
Each section is locked at 35 minutes with no option to return once time’s up. The scaled score ranges from 120 to 180. According to data from LSAC* covering 2018–2023, the national average score was 151. First‑time test takers averaged 151, while second‑time takers averaged around 152–154, suggesting a gain of about 2–3 points on a repeat attempt. Data from LSAC** between 2022–2025 shows that scoring a 160 places you in the 73-percentile, making you competitive; getting a 170 puts you in the 95-percentile, placing you in elite territory.
You can take the LSAT*** up to five times in five years and no more than seven times in your lifetime. Because every attempt is recorded, plan carefully, and do not treat the test date as practice.
Flexibility in Test Delivery
After the pandemic, the LSAT was given remotely. But the results of Post LSAT Questionnaires showed that many LSAT takers had trouble taking the test at home, and preferred to take the test in person at a test center. As a result, from August 2023 onward, you have the option of taking the test in person or at home. There are positives and negatives for each, so it all comes down to what you’re most comfortable doing. What matters is that you practice the test in the same setting you’ll use on test day so it feels familiar.
What to Expect on Test Day
Test day will differ depending on whether you choose to take the test in person or remotely, but either way, you’ll need to show up prepared, with your ID ready, and your LawHub login info.
If you’re taking it in person, you’ll need to check in at your test center, show your ID, and sign into the testing platform with your LawHub credentials. Showing up early with some time to spare will help you settle in and take some time to ease into test mode.
At home, you’re going to need to make sure your space complies with the rules. That means a quiet room with a desk and chair, good lighting, a stable internet connection, a computer with a webcam and mic, and the secure proctoring software installed (so make sure you have admin rights).
No matter how you take the test, planning ahead pays off. Eat a breakfast you typically have (no experimenting today!), test your tech, look over the Candidate Agreement, and give yourself some time to relax before the test starts. Little things can make a big difference once it’s showtime.
How to Prepare: Building a Smart Strategy
Start with a Diagnostic
Before you dive into studying, take a full practice test and time yourself. Doing this prior to studying will give you an idea of where you stand, what parts you need to work on, and how much you’ll need to improve to reach your goals.
Set Realistic Goals
If your first score is in the 140s, don’t expect to get to 170 overnight. Studying does help you improve, but it’s a gradual process that takes time. Start by aiming for a score that makes you competitive at a range of schools, then reach higher as you go along.
Use the Right Materials
When study time comes, you’ll find a lot of materials exist online, even services you can pay for to help you study. But your most reliable practice source comes directly from LSAC itself. Their LawHub platform has official PrepTests, which are real, past exams that are the same style and format you can expect on test day. These should be your main source of study material.
Of course, the LSAT format changed in 2024, so some of the older prep tests will include the Logic Games section that’s no longer on the exam. If you use these materials, just skip that part of the exam as it’s no longer relevant.
You can still use other prep books, courses, or tutors for extra support if you feel they’ll be helpful. But always make sure those just supplement your main base for studying, which is the official LSAC materials. This way, you’re always sure you’re practicing with materials from the source and understand what’s expected of you and don’t get sidetracked with your supplemental materials.
Practice With Reflection
Now’s the time to work on understanding why you may have missed something. For every mistake you make, ask why it happened. Did you misread the passage? Fall for a tempting wrong answer? Run out of time? The process of reviewing and reflecting on your results is where real learning happens, as it allows you to catch any gaps in knowledge you may have, so that you can focus your studying where you need it most.
Stay Flexible
Be sure to have a good mix of the types of questions you practice. Instead of just focusing on one type of question, switch between them. This helps you stay sharp and prevents you from being thrown off on test day.
Protect Your Well-Being
Your brain is your biggest asset, and you have to protect it. That means good sleep, taking breaks, fitting in exercise, and maintaining balance. Endless marathon sessions might seem productive, but they can backfire and burn you out, so make sure rest is at the top of your priority list.
A Sample Six-Month Study Timeline
While every student’s schedule looks different, a six-month prep window gives you enough time to build skills gradually without burning out. Here’s how you might structure it:
Months 1–2: Lay the Foundation
Begin by learning the structure of each section. Take a diagnostic practice test like those on LSAC’s LawHub to figure out your baseline, then spend these early weeks reviewing the different question types and strategies. At this point, you should focus on accuracy and understanding. You can tackle speed once you have a good grip of the material. Aim to complete at least two full practice tests by the end of this stage and carefully review all your errors so you know where you went wrong.
Months 3–4: Build Consistency
Once you know the basics, shift into drilling your weaknesses. If Logical Reasoning is giving you trouble, spend time breaking down argument structures. If Reading Comprehension feels overwhelming, practice active reading strategies like underlining main points and summarizing passages in your own words. Begin taking timed sections regularly. When you take full-length practice tests, make sure you do so under realistic conditions. Treat each practice test like a rehearsal for the real thing.
Month 5: Simulate Test Conditions
By now, you should be familiar with the content and timing. The next step is to replicate the actual test day experience. Schedule full-length tests at the same time of day as your real exam, and use the same format (remote or in-person setup). You should have these using official LSAC PrepTests. After each test, be sure to review your answers as well as your pacing. Did you run out of time? Did nerves affect your performance? Now’s the time to tune your strategy and build confidence.
Month 6: Final Review and Readiness
The last month should be less about learning new material and more about reinforcing habits. Take one or two final practice exams, but don’t overdo it! You want to enter test day sharp, not exhausted. Focus on reviewing strategies, pacing yourself, revisiting past mistakes, and preparing the logistics: confirming your test date, checking your ID, and making sure your tech setup (if you choose to take it at home) is exactly as required. Above all, use this month to rest, reset, and walk into the LSAT knowing you’ve done the work.
Quick LSAT Test Day Checklist
When test day arrives, the last thing you want is extra stress. Having a simple checklist keeps you focused on the exam, rather than worrying about whether you’ve forgotten something important. Here’s what every LSAT taker should have ready:
- Valid photo ID: Required for both in-person and remote testing. Make sure it’s unexpired and matches your LSAC registration.
- LawHub login information: You’ll need this to access the test. Write it down securely or memorize it.
- Tech check (if testing at home): Run LSAC’s system check a few days before the exam to confirm your webcam, microphone, and internet meet requirements.
- Familiar breakfast: Eat something that gives steady energy. Test day isn’t the time to experiment with new foods.
- Plan for managing stress: Deep breathing, stretching, or a mantra can help you reset during breaks.
Pack or prepare these items the night before so you can walk into the LSAT calm, confident, and ready to focus.
Final Thoughts
The LSAT is a serious exam, but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Success comes from starting early and having a plan: start with a diagnostic test so you know where you stand, set realistic goals, and give yourself enough time, ideally several months, to prepare. Build your study plan around official LSAC PrepTests on LawHub, review your mistakes carefully, and practice under timed conditions so test day feels familiar. Along the way, take care of your health and sleep; a well-rested mind consistently outperforms an exhausted one.
The LSAT is the first stepping stone toward building the skills and confidence you’ll carry into law school. A strong prep plan helps you perform your best, sets the tone for your legal education, and reminds you that success comes from consistency and strategy.
At its core, the LSAT measures how you think under pressure. With focused preparation, you can walk into the exam ready to perform your best. If you’re ready to take the next step, discover how Western State College of Law, the oldest law school in Orange County and one of the most affordable law schools in California, can support your journey to law school. Be sure to also take a look at our guide, How To Get Into Law School, for tips on getting into law school.
*Data sourced on August 28, 2025 from LSAC.
**Data sourced on August 28, 2025 from LSAC.
***Data sourced on August 28, 2025 from US News.