The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardized test that is part of the requirements needed to gain entry into law school. The half-day test is administered four times every year and serves as an evaluation for law school applicants. Contrary to popular belief, the test does not simply evaluate the applicant’s level of education. In fact, the LSAT is infinitely different from any other standardized test administered in high schools and colleges.
The LSAT test consists of four 35-minute scored sections and one unscored section. Two Logical Reasoning sections, one Reading Comprehension section, and one Analytical Reasoning section contribute to the score of the test while the final section, a writing sample that is administered last, does not. The sample is however forwarded to the law schools of the applicant’s choosing.
The purpose of the LSAT standardized test is to evaluate a student’s aptitude for learning the law. While the maximum score stands at 180, getting a 170 still lands the student in the secure 98th percentile. 50 percent of the test’s maximum points can be earned in the two Logical Reasoning sections. Here, various logic games are used to evaluate the test taker’s ability to understand the underlying key format of intricate relationships.
The reading section, much like similar sections in other standardized tests, tests the comprehension abilities of the candidate to determine how much they can glean off of a complex passage.
The writing section does not contribute to the overall test scored of the candidate. However, it still carries importance since the sample is considered as part of the application to any law school.
That said, here are some invaluable LSAT prep tips on how to pass the test.
Study on your own
The LSAT test is a test of individual aptitude and an evaluation of personal strengths and weaknesses. Group study is effectively useless when it comes to this test since the majority of the questions require individual logic. As such, you should learn to study on your own and apply the knowledge you’ve garnered over the course of your education.
Don’t just memorize, learn
A lot of the questions in a LSAT test require critical analysis. As such, cramming or memorizing questions and answers is an exercise in futility. The LSAT lends students a chance to use the analytical parts of their minds to solve questions, not to simply provide the correct answers. Preparing yourself for the test should involve a lot of familiarization.
During the LSAT prep period, a LSAT smartphone app can be just as useful and as such, you do not need to lug around heavy books. Once you acquire all the study materials on your phone, it is much easier to keep preparing yourself no matter where you go.
Improve your critical thinking skills
Although not explicitly advised, taking special critical thinking or logic-enhancing classes could impact positively on one’s chances of passing the LSAT. The test is heavily reliant on the use of logic and critical thinking so there is no harm in getting some additional training in those areas.
Create your own ways of understanding
You stand much better chances of passing your LSAT test if you can create your own way of understanding the logical questions posed in the test. While some people’s understanding relies on diagrammatic representations of the questions posed, others may need a bit of verbal reiteration to fully grasp what is being asked of them. Find the method you are most comfortable with and perfect it during your LSAT prep.
Learn where the easy questions lie
In three of the five LSAT test sections, the questions may be arranged in order from the simplest to the most complex. However, experts say that the Logical Reasoning sections, the questions follow no particular order of difficulty. The only way to familiarize oneself with the easier questions is to practice a number of times before the test is taken. This way, you will be in a better position to identify where the easier questions are.
Answer all the questions
There is no negative marking on LSAT tests. As such, it is advisable to try and answer all the questions to the best of your knowledge since getting some wrong will not warrant a deduction of points like it does in standardized tests such as the SAT. Doing so also increases the chances of scoring good points on the test.