ATAR Notes: Forum

National Education => Admissions tests => LSAT => Topic started by: Zagreus on May 23, 2014, 11:53:40 pm

Title: Time required for LSAT Prep
Post by: Zagreus on May 23, 2014, 11:53:40 pm
I have been offering LSAT prep tutoring to Australian students via Skype, and have noticed that many completely misunderstand the time required to prepare for the test. I have received two calls for the June test from people who have no materials and have taken no practice tests. They believe that it is a test that can be crammed and that big improvements are possible in a few weeks.

Nothing -- nothing could be less true and more harmful to one's likelihood of achieving a high score on the test.

The LSAT is a test of skills, not knowledge. Memorization does not play a role; consistent skill development does. It's more like athletic training -- a few tips may be helpful to a trained person, but for a novice, lots of practice and time are required to master a skill  and demonstrate big improvements in performance.

The same is true of LSAT performance. Time and planning are essential for a sound approach to the LSAT. 

At least two months of prep should be allocated prior to the LSAT. Also, one should take a practice test to determine one's starting point, and based on that and one's goal score, more time may be required. For example, if one's initial score is, say, 140 and one needs a 160 or better to gain a CSP spot two months of prep may be insufficient. But again, three weeks will surely be inadequate, and trying to make rapid improvements in a such a short window will just lead to unnecessary stress and a disappointing score.

If one has an inclination to take the test, one should take a practice test (LSAC offers a free download) and use the results to determine how long and how intensely one should prep. But, again, two months should be a minimum, even when one is testing in the 160's or 170's having that extra time to sharpen one's skills helps ensure that one actually scores up to one's capability. Remember that actual test conditions are rarely ideal--the last time I took the test I was still recovering from a terrible flu and still scored in the 170's -- but if one's skills are solid, even a bad day will be a good one.

I hope my recommendations are helpful, and I wish everyone all the best on the LSAT.
Title: Re: Time required for LSAT Prep
Post by: baba11 on November 05, 2014, 10:28:59 pm
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