General tips and strategies for your LSAT review
Approach the LSAT test with a plan
Spend enough time doing LSAT prep that you know where your strengths and weaknesses lie. Having this kind of understanding can help you decide where to focus your energies. Why spend 8 minutes stressing out over a question when there’s a good chance you’ll get it wrong, no matter what? The only way you’ll be able to use your time wisely on test day is to know where your strengths and weaknesses are beforehand.
Use your LSAT review to become well-rehearsed
Practice makes permanence! If you set aside time in a quiet place to take some practice LSAT exams, you’ll be ready for the rigors of sitting in a chair and focusing on test material for a few hours. You can also use this opportunity to assess where you need to spend more time in LSAT preparation.
Guessing on the LSAT test is not an infraction
Don’t be afraid to guess. You won’t be penalized for wrong answers, so answer every question. If you don’t know the answer, eliminate the choices you know are incorrect and then guess between the remaining choices.
Question-specific tips and strategies for the LSAT test
Logical Reasoning
Arguments have three components: evidence, assumption, and conclusion. The conclusion is the main point of the argument, and is supported by stated evidence, and unstated assumptions. Understanding the structure of every argument allows you to quickly identify the correct answer. Always begin every question by reading the question stem. Then you know what you are looking for in the argument.
Analytical Reasoning
Most logic games on the LSAT test come in one of three varieties: sequencing, grouping, or hybrid games. In a sequencing game, the rules of the game describe how to place the objects in order. In a grouping game, the rules will describe how to place objects in one group or another. A hybrid game incorporates elements of sequencing and grouping. Read through the information given for each logic game on the LSAT, review and understand all of the rules and conditions, and then answer the question. If there are any general conclusions you can reach before answering the questions, do so. The majority of the questions will add one further assumption, and ask you to determine the resulting conclusion. The key to logic games is to understand how the new “rule” interacts with the rules established in the game.
Reading Comprehension
Answer these questions based only on information contained in the passage. You are not expected to bring knowledge about any particular topic to the test, and, in fact, assumptions based on prior knowledge may lead you to an incorrect answer. In your LSAT test preparation, go easy on memorizing facts. Most of the questions will ask for main ideas, details, and inferences. Be sure to identify those as you find them while reading the passages.
Writing Sample
Organize your thoughts, perhaps with an outline, before you begin to write. Your writing sample will be judged on its clarity and how well your position is supported. Remember that your LSAT writing sample will be sent to the schools you applied to.
