Wondering if an LSAT prep course is worth it? Whether you’re applying to a school at the top of the law school rankings or one of the easiest law schools to get into, your LSAT has a big impact on your chances of admission, so earning a good score is important. Enrolling in an LSAT prep course can certainly help you achieve the score you want and prepare you to take this difficult exam. In this blog, we’ll look at whether you need an LSAT prep course, how a course can help you and how to find the best LSAT prep course for you.
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Do You Need an LSAT Prep Course?
Do you really need an LSAT prep course to succeed on the exam? How hard is the LSAT? There are plenty of students who ace the LSAT without enrolling in a prep course, but the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) has noted a correlation between students enrolling in a prep course and achieving higher scores on this challenging test. Still, many students wonder if an LSAT prep course is worth the investment. If you’re not sure whether an LSAT prep course is right for you, how can you decide?
Take a Diagnostic Test
The first thing to do is take a diagnostic test or LSAT practice test. The LSAC offers official, free LSAT prep tests and LSAT practice questions to help you gauge where you’re at and pinpoint what sections are your strongest and which are your weakest. The results of your diagnostic test will help you identify any areas where you struggled. Was the LSAT logic games section the most difficult and unfamiliar? Did you struggle to complete questions on time?
At the very least, you’ll be able to get started on creating your personalized study plan and decide how much time you need to study for the LSAT. This will also help you pick an LSAT test date! If your score on the LSAT practice test was not where you want it to be, don’t worry. Whether you’re going to self study or enroll in an LSAT prep course, the goal is to take that score and push it to where you want it to be.
Once you’ve taken a diagnostic test to figure out where you’re starting from on the LSAT, ask yourself a few important questions when deciding if an LSAT prep course is right for you:
- How much does my LSAT score matter? – Most law schools require the LSAT, and you’ll want to score at least at or above the average accepted score at any law school to improve your odds. If achieving a good LSAT score is key to your law school acceptance, enrolling in a prep course may be in your best interest. If you are applying to one of the law schools that do not require the LSAT, maybe you’ll decide against a prep course.
- Am I a nervous test-taker or worried about taking the LSAT? – If yes, then hiring an LSAT tutor or enrolling in an LSAT prep course could significantly reduce your test anxiety and help you achieve the score you want. The LSAT is an extremely challenging exam, and having someone in your corner to help you study can be a big benefit.
- Do I need to retake the LSAT or increase my score? – Are you unsatisfied with the score you received the first time taking the LSAT? Are you not getting the results you want from taking practice tests? An LSAT prep course can certainly help you improve an unsatisfactory LSAT score.
- Do I struggle with reading comprehension or time management? – If you have trouble with either complex reading comprehension or time management during tests, a prep course will be a wise investment. The LSAT sections involve a great deal of reading comprehension, including an entire section dedicated just to this topic, widely considered one of the most difficult sections. The LSAT also has very intense time pressures, allowing only 35 minutes per each section of the exam. If reading comprehension or time management are weaknesses of yours, think about enrolling in a prep course.
- Are you comfortable with self-study, or do you want expert guidance? – Consider your own study habits and abilities critically. Are you a disciplined student? Can you make an effective LSAT study schedule and stick to it? Unless you’re very confident studying on your own and taking advantage of free LSAT study resources, an LSAT prep course or some other paid form of study help might be worth it. A prep course is designed to build a study schedule that fits your needs and keep you on track, while teaching you how to master the test strategies you’ll need for the LSAT.
Remember that the LSAT score you want to achieve may be influenced by the schools you’re applying to. Law school acceptance rates are notoriously competitive, and the top schools often have average accepted LSAT scores of 160+. Check out the average LSAT scores of matriculants at the law schools you plan to apply to. This is the LSAT score you should shoot for when you’re studying for the test.
How an LSAT Prep Course Can Help
So, how exactly do LSAT prep courses help students? It’s important to remember that an LSAT prep course is a study resource you can use to improve your studying and better prepare yourself. Just enrolling in a prep course doesn’t automatically increase your score.
An LSAT prep course is designed to teach students the concepts covered by the LSAT, the strategies they need to tackle any of the LSAT question types and instill in them the discipline and study habits they need to prepare themselves. An LSAT prep course or tutor can certainly address gaps and teach you more effective ways of handling the test, but it’s up to you to put in the studying work.
That being said, here are a few areas LSAT prep courses can help you with:
The bottom line is, if you think an LSAT prep course is right for you and you can afford it, enroll in one. In the long run, the investment will save you money and improve your overall candidacy for law school acceptance.
Need some LSAT prep tips? Check out this video:
How to Find the Best LSAT Prep Course
When searching for the ideal LSAT prep course, remember to look for quality above all. Find the one that best suits your needs, rather than basing your search on price. A low price may not offer quality services, but the most expensive course doesn’t guarantee the best results, either.
During your search, look for the LSAT prep courses that tick these boxes:
FAQs
1. Is an LSAT prep course worth it?
Yes, an LSAT prep course can absolutely be worth the investment. LSAT prep courses can save you time and money, while making the most of your LSAT studying. Unless you are 100% confident in your self-studying abilities or happy with your LSAT score on multiple practice tests, consider whether a prep course is an option for you.
2. What is the best prep for LSAT?
Finding the best LSAT prep course can be hard when there are hundreds to choose from. Research the available prep courses and identify the ones which use official prep materials and practice tests, have reliable and positive reviews, use personalized study plans and that fit your timeline and budget. Don’t forget to take advantage of free consultations to check out a prep course first!
3. How long does it take to prepare for the LSAT?
Most test-takers study for the LSAT between 1 and 3 months, depending on the individual student’s needs.
4. Is an LSAT prep course enough?
While an LSAT prep course can certainly help you study for the LSAT, you also need to put in the work to study and improve. Many students also use free and paid LSAT study materials, LSAT books and practice tests to help them prepare.
5. How do I prepare for the LSAT in Canada?
The LSAT taken by Canadian law school applicants is the same test administered by the LSAC for applicants to law schools in the US. You can find LSAT prep courses in Canada, both online and in-person to help you get ready.
6. Which section of the LSAT is the hardest?
Generally, test-takers find the reading comprehension section of the LSAT to be the most difficult, however, the “logic games” or logical reasoning section is also noted for its difficulty level for first-time test-takers.
7. Is the LSAT easier than the MCAT?
Both exams are undeniably difficult, but their content and preparation styles differ. Whereas the MCAT requires extensive background knowledge of the sciences and social sciences, the LSAT tests you more on analytical skill and logical reasoning.
8. What is a good LSAT score?
On average, most LSAT test-takers receive a score around 150-155. However, many top law schools admit students with LSAT scores of 160 or higher, and elite law schools like Stanford Law and Columbia Law School have median LSAT scores over 170.
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