An LSAT tutor can be a huge asset when preparing to take the law school admissions test. Getting into the best law schools in the US and the best law schools in Canada requires impressive GPAs, a high LSAT score and stellar applications. But acing the LSAT is not easy, and it is an exam with unique challenges. An LSAT tutor can be your guide to learning the format and content of the LSAT, while providing expert advice and prep strategies to help you achieve your desired score. In this blog, we’ll look at what makes the LSAT a difficult test, how an LSAT tutor can help you prepare for it and how to find the right LSAT tutor for you!
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How Hard is the LSAT?
An LSAT tutor can certainly be an advantage when learning how to study for the LSAT or how to create the ideal LSAT study schedule. There’s no question that the LSAT is a difficult exam. Scoring well on the LSAT requires excellent reading comprehension, critical analysis skills and logical reasoning. Test-takers need to be able to break down information quickly, draw inferences, make conclusions, analyze arguments and decipher complex language, all while under intense time pressure. Since the LSAT is a test of skill, not memorization or knowledge of content, preparing for the LSAT requires practice and strategy. The exam is also heavily passage-based, just like the MCAT, so reading comprehension is a critical skill. In fact, there is a whole section of the LSAT just dedicated to reading comprehension.
LSAT Question Types
The LSAT sections are divided into two parts. The first part is comprised of several sections of multiple-choice questions based on text passages. These sections are divided into three question types:
- Reading Comprehension – 1 section
- Analytical Reasoning – 1 section
- Logical Reasoning – 2 sections
Each of these multiple-choice sections has a time limit of 35 minutes and will require you to answer between 24-28 questions.
The first part of the LSAT also includes an experimental, unscored section, which can occur at any point during the test, and may include 22-28 questions of any of the three types.
Even though this section is unscored, test-takers will have no way of knowing when this section will pop up. Many times, you will not realize which section was the experimental or variable section until after the exam is complete. Since there is always a set number of sections for each type of questions, any extra section will be the experimental section. The LSAC uses this unscored section to test questions for future LSAT exams and analyzes your answers for potential future tests.
LSAT Writing Sample
The second part of the LSAT is an unscored writing sample. The prompt for the writing sample will present you with a problem and ask you to make a decision and justify your choice. It is essentially an evaluation of your persuasive writing skills. This section can be completed separately from the first part of the LSAT, as early as 8 days before your scheduled test time. You have 35 minutes to complete the LSAT writing sample, and it is administered separately from the rest of the test.
This writing sample does NOT affect your overall LSAT score, but it is sent to every law school you apply to and may be read by admissions committees. Your writing sample may or may not be used in admissions decisions.
Because of the challenging nature of the LSAT and its unique components, hiring an LSAT tutor to help you prepare can be a significant advantage. So how exactly does an LSAT tutor help?
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How Can an LSAT Tutor Help You?
LSAT tutors are typically specialized tutors who work with students to prepare to take the exam to get into law school. Sometimes these are legal professionals who have taken the LSAT themselves and achieved a high score or professional tutors who have experience with the LSAT’s format and content. They act as a one-on-one test coach to help you understand how the LSAT works and how to approach each section.
LSAT tutors can help you with some of these important skills for the test:
LSAT tutors can provide you with sound strategies for acing any of the LSAT’s sections, or provide you with guidance on managing test stress, improving your time management or increasing your reading speed.
The main benefit of hiring a tutor is having one-on-one, personalized help that is designed to address your specific needs and weaknesses. If you struggle with slow reading, a tutor can teach you how to improve your reading speed and comprehension of difficult texts, just like an MCAT tutor would help you with your MCAT reading comprehension. If you’re nervous about the analytical reasoning or “logic games” section of the LSAT, a tutor can show you how to parse the information you’re given and make deductions. LSAT tutors can also walk you through LSAT practice questions to evaluate what your weaknesses are and help explain difficult questions, too.
Do You Need an LSAT tutor?
If you’re not sure whether you need an LSAT tutor or law school admissions consulting services to help you prepare, consider whether it is worth your time and investment.
Law school acceptance rates are notoriously competitive, especially at schools like Harvard Law School and Yale Law School, which are higher in the law school rankings. And many of these elite law schools accept students with very high average LSAT scores. Since admissions decisions are often based on matriculants’ admissions data, scoring very well on the LSAT can significantly increase your chances of acceptance.
For instance, if you want to get into Columbia Law, UPenn Law School or Cornell Law School, you want to score above a 170 on the LSAT! To get into some of the best Canadian law schools, such as Osgoode Hall Law School or Queen’s Law School, you will similarly need an LSAT score above 160 at least.
What to Look For in an LSAT Tutor
Finding the best LSAT tutor for you can be another challenge altogether. There are hundreds of specialized LSAT prep companies out there, as well as private LSAT tutors who achieved high scores on their own LSAT. But how do you find the right tutor for you? Does scoring high on their own LSAT mean a tutor will automatically be a great teacher? Not necessarily, so it’s best to do your research and evaluate potential tutors based on certain criteria:
Step-by-step Guide to Finding the Best LSAT Tutor
When looking for a quality LSAT tutor or law school application help, look for professional services that have these qualities:
Can ChatGPT help you with your law school application? Check out this video to find out:
Conclusion
Scoring well on the LSAT is a challenge, but an LSAT tutor can make all the difference. Your LSAT tutor can provide a personalized study plan and effective strategies for tackling any of the questions you might face on the LSAT. They can even be helpful in crafting your essay for the LSAT written sample section. Remember, when searching for the best LSAT tutor to focus on quality instruction and expert prep help.
FAQs
1. Are LSAT tutors worth it?
Yes, LSAT tutors can definitely be worth the investment. The LSAT is an extremely challenging exam, and scoring well can make a significant difference between acceptance to law school and rejection. Hiring a tutor can provide you with critical skills and personalized prep so you are ready for the LSAT’s challenges.
2. How does an LSAT tutor help me?
LSAT tutors, instead of quizzing you on content or topics, help you develop crucial skills you need to ace the LSAT, including reading comprehension, critical analysis and logical reasoning. Tutors can also help you develop strategies for the different question types or improve your time management skills or persuasive writing ability for the LSAT’s writing section.
3. How do I find the best LSAT tutor?
If you’re not sure where to find LSAT tutors, you can ask prelaw faculty members or speak with your student resources office or graduate school advisor for recommendations.
4. Which LSAT section is the hardest?
Reading comprehension is thought to be the most difficult LSAT section, since it can be mentally exhausting and involves reading complex text passages to answer questions. Many students also dread the “logic games” or analytical reasoning section.
5. How do I choose an LSAT tutor?
Research LSAT tutors to see whether they have expert knowledge of the LSAT, positive reviews from students, and are experienced professionals. The best LSAT tutors should provide personalized, one-on-one study help.
6. How long should I study for the LSAT?
Most students take 2 to 3 months to study for the LSAT. Because the LSAT does not rely on knowing content, but rather on skill, this is a good amount of time to develop question strategies, improve your time management and manage your test stress.
7. How can I study for the LSAT?
Taking practice tests is one of the best ways to familiarize yourself with the test’s timing, content and format. An LSAT tutor can help guide you through practice tests to identify your strengths and weaknesses or explain any questions you got wrong.
8. What is a good LSAT score?
The LSAT score range is on a scale from 120-180. A good LSAT score will generally be over 150. If your goal is to get into one of the top law schools, your score should be over 160, and over 170 to get into the most selective schools.
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