A structured study plan for the LSAT covering Logical Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension, with scoring strategies for law school admission.
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Baseline Testing and Goal Setting
Take an official LSAT PrepTest under timed conditions as your diagnostic
The LSAT scores range from 120 to 180 with a median of 151. Use an official PrepTest, not a third-party simulation. Time each section for exactly 35 minutes. Your diagnostic score establishes the starting point and determines how much study time you need.
Review the median LSAT scores at your target law schools
Top-14 law schools typically require a 170+ for competitive admission. Schools ranked 15-50 average 160-169. State law schools often accept 150-159. Your LSAT score is the single most important factor in law school admission, weighted more heavily than GPA at most schools.
Calculate your point gap and estimate the required study hours
A 5-point improvement requires roughly 80-100 hours of study. A 10-point improvement requires 150-250 hours. A 15+ point improvement is achievable but requires 300+ hours spread over 4-6 months. Each additional point above 165 becomes progressively harder to gain.
Choose a study start date that gives you adequate preparation time
The LSAT is offered roughly every 5-6 weeks. If you need a 10+ point improvement, start studying at least 4 months before your target test date. For a 5-point improvement, 2-3 months is usually sufficient. Do not rush your prep timeline to meet an application deadline.
Study Materials and Method
Acquire at least 30 official PrepTests for practice
Official PrepTests from PrepTests 40 onward are most representative of the current exam. You need 6-8 for full timed practice tests and 20+ for section drills. These are sold in bundles of 10 for about $25 each. Do not waste official tests early before you learn the strategies.
Select one primary strategy guide for each section type
The best strategy guides teach you to recognize question patterns rather than just explaining correct answers. Look for books that break Logical Reasoning into 15+ distinct question types with specific approaches for each. Avoid guides that rely on generic advice like 'read carefully.'
Decide between self-study, a prep course, or private tutoring
Self-study works for disciplined students targeting a 5-7 point improvement. Prep courses ($800-$1,500) provide structure and accountability. Private LSAT tutoring costs $100-$400 per hour and is most effective for students stuck at a plateau after self-study. Many students start with self-study and add tutoring if needed.
Create a study schedule with 15-25 hours per week dedicated to LSAT prep
Divide study time into 3 categories: learning new strategies (30%), timed practice (40%), and blind review of mistakes (30%). Most students underinvest in review. Blind review means reworking every question you were unsure about without a time limit, then comparing to your timed answers.
Logical Reasoning Mastery
Learn to identify the 15+ Logical Reasoning question types by their stem
Question stems like 'which most weakens' versus 'which most strengthens' require opposite approaches. Memorize what each stem is asking before drilling questions. Misidentifying the question type causes 25% of all Logical Reasoning errors. Drill question type recognition until it is automatic.
Master argument structure: identify conclusion, premises, and assumptions
Before reading answer choices, locate the conclusion (what the author is trying to prove) and the premises (the evidence given). The gap between premises and conclusion is the assumption. Finding the assumption takes 10-15 seconds but makes the correct answer obvious in 60% of LR questions.
Practice sufficient assumption and necessary assumption questions separately
Sufficient assumptions make the conclusion follow logically. Necessary assumptions are required for the conclusion to hold. Use the negation test for necessary assumptions: negate the answer choice, and if the argument falls apart, it is necessary. This technique has a 90% accuracy rate.
Drill parallel reasoning and method of reasoning questions
These question types are the most time-consuming on the test. For parallel reasoning, match the structure (conditional, causal, analogy) rather than the content. Skip these if you are running low on time since they are worth the same as easier questions. Come back to them at the end.
Analytical Reasoning (Logic Games)
Learn the core game types: sequencing, grouping, matching, and hybrid
About 70% of games are sequencing or grouping. Master these two types first before moving to more complex hybrids. Each game type has a specific diagramming method. Using the wrong diagram for a game type adds 2-3 minutes of wasted time per game.
Practice making deductions from the rules before attempting questions
Spend 3-4 minutes setting up the game and making deductions before answering any questions. This upfront investment saves 5-7 minutes across the 5-7 questions per game. The most common deduction types are combining two rules that share a variable and identifying limited options.
Drill until you can complete all 4 games within 35 minutes
Target 8 minutes per game with 3 minutes of buffer. If one game takes more than 10 minutes, skip to the next game and return if time permits. Most test-takers who score 170+ complete all 4 games. Practice 3-4 full game sections per week during your dedicated prep period.
Reading Comprehension
Practice active reading: identify the main point, structure, and author tone for each passage
After reading each paragraph, mentally note its purpose: introduction, evidence, counterargument, or conclusion. Mark where the author expresses an opinion versus stating facts. This active approach adds 30 seconds to your reading time but saves 60+ seconds per question.
Master the comparative reading passage format
Comparative passages present two short texts on a related topic. Focus on how the authors agree and disagree. Most questions ask about the relationship between the passages rather than details within either one. Read both passages before answering any questions.
Practice eliminating wrong answers using passage evidence
Every correct Reading Comprehension answer is supported by specific text in the passage. If you cannot point to the exact lines that support your answer, it is probably wrong. Answers that are true in the real world but not stated in the passage are the most common traps.
Test Registration and Final Preparation
Register for the LSAT at least 4 weeks before your target date
The LSAT registration fee is $200. Popular test dates fill up weeks in advance. You can change your test date for $125 up to the deadline, or withdraw and get a partial refund. Most students take the LSAT in June, September, or November for fall law school applications.
Take 2-3 full practice tests in the final 2 weeks under exact test conditions
Simulate the full test experience including the 10-minute break and no phone access. Your average score on these final practice tests is the best predictor of your actual score, typically within 2-3 points. If your average is below your target, consider postponing.
Set up your testing environment for the digital LSAT
The LSAT is now administered digitally on a tablet at test centers. Familiarize yourself with the digital interface using the official practice software. Learn the highlighting, flagging, and digital scratch pad features. Students comfortable with the interface score 1-2 points higher than those who are not.
Plan a light review and rest schedule for the final 48 hours before the test
Review your summary notes for 1 hour, then stop studying. Engage in relaxing activities the day before. Eat a familiar dinner and set multiple alarms. Arrive at the test center 30 minutes early with your valid ID and admission confirmation. Do not change your routine on test day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What LSAT score do I need for a top law school?
The T14 law schools (the 14 historically top-ranked programs) have median LSAT scores of 170-174 on the 120-180 scale. The 75th percentile at Harvard, Yale, and Stanford is 175-177. Top-50 schools range from 160-168. A 160 puts you in the 80th percentile nationally and is competitive for many strong regional schools. Your LSAT score and undergraduate GPA are the two most quantifiable factors in law school admissions, with the LSAT often weighted more heavily.
How long should I study for the LSAT?
Most successful test-takers study for 3-6 months at 15-25 hours per week (200-400 total hours). Students aiming for 170+ often study for 4-6 months. The LSAT tests reasoning skills that improve gradually with practice, not knowledge that can be crammed. A diagnostic score 10+ points below your target typically requires at least 4 months of preparation. Complete at least 30-40 full practice sections and 15-20 full-length practice tests before test day.
How many times can I take the LSAT?
You can take the LSAT up to 3 times in a single testing year, 5 times within a 5-year period, and 7 times total in your lifetime. LSAC reports all scores to law schools, though most schools focus on the highest score. Some schools average scores, so check each school's policy. The average improvement from the first to second attempt is 2-3 points. Improvements beyond the third attempt are rare. Each retake costs $215.
Is the LSAT going away in favor of the GRE?
Not yet. The ABA (American Bar Association) voted in 2024 to allow law schools to accept any valid standardized test, including the GRE, starting with the 2025-2026 admissions cycle. About 80+ law schools now accept the GRE. However, the LSAT remains the dominant test for law school admissions, and some admissions committees are more experienced evaluating LSAT scores. Taking both tests and submitting your stronger score is an option at GRE-accepting schools.
What is the hardest section of the LSAT?
Logic Games (Analytical Reasoning) is considered the hardest section by most first-time test-takers but is also the most learnable with practice. Students typically improve 5-8 points on Logic Games alone through systematic drilling. Logical Reasoning makes up 50% of the scored exam (two sections) and is where most points are won or lost. Reading Comprehension has the least room for improvement because it draws on skills built over years of reading. Most prep strategies focus 40% of time on Logic Games, 35% on Logical Reasoning, and 25% on Reading Comprehension.