LSAT Prep Instruction
All students taking the LSAT must undergo substantive preparation, regardless of prior academic achievement or ability. Though the skills tested on the exam are fairly general, LSAT exercises must be practiced to be mastered. The best way to do this is with the assistance of an experienced LSAT educator. Test prep firms offer a variety of LSAT learning options, usually either in classroom or individual learning contexts. LSAT prep courses or private tutoring plans feature course content and structure with proven results, assuming that the student chooses reputable instructors and companies. Teachers can also abbreviate the preparation process by correcting common mistakes and providing detailed assessments of performance.
Online LSAT Options
Many test prep companies offer LSAT instruction in online format, allowing students to study for the exam in the comfort of their own homes. Online study for the LSAT may require greater self-discipline from the student as well as reliable technology, but the convenience of this preparation method is highly attractive. A wealth of preparation materials are available on the ETS website free of charge, including LSAT math review and math conventions, overviews of each LSAT section, and links to Khan Academy instructional videos on the LSAT.
LSAT Official Guides and Other Books
ETS is the author of the Official Guide to the LSAT General Test, now in its third edition. An essential resource on the LSAT, the Official Guide includes thorough discussion of each LSAT section, general information on the exam, and four practice tests with answer explanations. Unofficial books on the LSAT (not published by ETS) are widely available, but test-takers should carefully review the credentials of the authors and publishers before purchasing these titles.
ETS LSAT Practice Materials
The online store on the ETS website sells a number of other useful titles for LSAT study. The Official LSAT Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions, volume 1 includes 150 exercises written by the same people who create the exam, and there is also a similar volume for LSAT quantitative. Test-takers can also purchase ScoreItNow! Online Writing Practice, with which students can write essays and receive feedback. ETS materials may be bought in various bundles of several titles each, which is less than the cost of buying each book individually.
Using LSAT Practice Tests
Regardless of your preferred method of LSAT study, we strongly recommend that you incorporate practice tests into your preparation plan. In addition to the practice tests published by ETS, many test prep companies have written unofficial practice tests that duplicate the real LSAT, and some firms will provide these tests for free. Practice testing is the best available indication of your current LSAT skill level, and your performance will help you determine which areas you need to improve. Practice tests also increase testing stamina and reduce testing anxiety.
