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Step #1: Take an LSAT Practice Test

Before you dive into studying, take a full-length, practice LSAT to establish your baseline score. This is the most effective way to understand where you stand and how to shape your prep.

Why Start With a Baseline:

• It identifies your strengths and target areas for improvement.
• It helps you track progress and tailor your study schedule.
• It builds up your test-taking endurance while familiarizing you with the LSAT’s format and timing.

Make It Count:

• Find a quiet space with no interruptions.
• Time each section exactly as you would on the official LSAT.
• Avoid food, drinks, or breaks outside the scheduled intermission.

After the Test:

• Review your performance in each section.
• Identify where you struggled with timing, accuracy, or certain question types.
• If you’re enrolled in a Princeton Review course, your instructor will use this data to guide your personalized prep.

A low starting score isn’t a setback—it’s a roadmap. The LSAT is a skills-based test, and improvement comes with strategy and practice.

Step #2: Set Your Target Score and Timeline

Once you have your baseline LSAT score, determine how much prep time you’ll need to reach your target score—especially if you’re aiming for competitive schools or scholarships.

How Much Time Should You Plan to Study?

• A good general target is 200 total hours , spread across 12–15 hours per week for three to six months.
• If your baseline score is significantly below your goal, consider a longer prep timeline (up to six months).
• If you're within a few points of your goal, a focused one- or two-month plan may work.

Tips for Setting the Right Target Score:

• Your LSAT goal should align with the median score of your target law schools.
• To boost your chances of scholarships, aim above the school’s 75th percentile LSAT.
• Contact the law school's admission office for clear guidance on the scores they're looking for.

Score and Timeline Factors to Consider:

• Do you need substantial financial aid? A higher score will help you qualify for merit-based scholarships.
• Are you balancing school or work? Extend your study timeline for consistency without burnout.
• Do you learn quickly or need more time to absorb complex material? Be realistic about your pace.

Everyone’s learning curve is different. Start with a plan but be flexible—many successful test-takers end up adjusting their timeline.

Step #3: Make Space in Your Schedule for LSAT Prep

If you want to make real progress on the LSAT, you can’t just squeeze in study time when it’s convenient. You’ll need to carve out space in your schedule—and your life—to give this test the focus it requires.

Studying for the LSAT isn’t something you can do sporadically. It requires consistency and commitment.

That doesn’t mean you need to quit your job or cancel all plans for the next three months—but it does mean making smart, intentional adjustments to your routine.

Adjustments That Can Make a Big Difference:

• Reduce your course load if you're in school.
• Use vacation days or lighter work weeks to your advantage.
• Scale back time-consuming hobbies and social obligations.
• Set up a recurring weekly study schedule (and treat it like a non-negotiable appointment).

If you're enrolled in a Princeton Review LSAT course or tutoring package , you’ll have built-in milestones to guide your weekly focus. Build your schedule around these anchors.

That said, don’t go overboard. Constant studying without time to rest and recharge can lead to burnout—and that’s the last thing you need before test day. It’s important to strike a balance.

Build In Recovery Time:

• Plan rest days after full-length practice tests.
• Take breaks when your brain needs them (you’ll come back sharper).
• Keep a few social or creative outlets in your routine to stay grounded.

Create space for LSAT prep—but also protect time to decompress. When you find that balance, your prep will be more sustainable and more effective.

Step #4: Build Your Weekly/Daily Plan

A goal without a plan is just a wish—and that’s especially true for the LSAT. If you're aiming to study 15–20 hours per week (as we recommend), you'll need a clear, consistent schedule to keep yourself on track.

Start With a Big-Picture Weekly Plan:

Map out your study time alongside your other responsibilities. Having everything in one place helps you make smart choices about how to use your time.

• Schedule study blocks around work, school, and other obligations.
• Plan your full study schedule in advance, right down to the day before the LSAT .
• Include built-in breaks, review sessions, and full-length practice exams.

Once you settle on how many hours to study, break that number into manageable chunks. Aim for short, focused sessions (60–90 minutes) throughout each day and across each week.

Know What You’re Studying Each Day

Each session should have a specific goal. Whether you're reviewing reading comprehension, practicing timed sections, or going over previous mistakes, it's important to be intentional.

• Keep a running list of the question types or sections giving you the most trouble.
• Track your mistakes and review them regularly.

If you’re in a Princeton Review LSAT course, your instructor will outline a detailed study plan with assignments and test review built in. Following it closely will save you time and guesswork.

Optimize Your Study Environment

Set yourself up for success by eliminating distractions:

• Study in a quiet, consistent location.
• Silence your phone and log out of social media.
• Keep your workspace organized and stocked with everything you need.

LSAT prep requires focus—and the right environment can make all the difference.

Step #5: Incorporate Vocabulary for Precision and Confidence

The LSAT doesn’t test memorization—but it does demand a high level of verbal precision. Strong vocabulary skills are essential for understanding the logic of arguments, identifying nuances in reading comprehension passages, and navigating dense text under time pressure.

Why Vocabulary Matters on the LSAT

• The test assesses your ability to read closely, distinguish between similar ideas, and analyze arguments.
• Unfamiliar words can slow you down or cause you to misinterpret a question.
• A confident grasp of formal, academic language gives you a strategic edge.

Make Vocabulary Practice Part of Your Weekly Routine

• When you encounter a word you don’t know on a practice test or passage, write it down.
• Make flashcards (digital or paper) and test yourself weekly.
• Consider using a vocabulary app or e-reader with built-in definitions to speed up lookups.
• Review words regularly—LSAT question writers often reuse similar language across tests.

Step #6: Monitor Progress and Adjust Accordingly

Creating a study plan is just the beginning. Effective LSAT prep requires continuous reflection and course correction. To maximize your score potential, check your progress regularly and make strategic updates as you go.

Why Progress Tracking Matters

• Helps you identify which question types or sections need more attention.
• Prevents the waste of time on areas you've already mastered.
• Keeps your prep focused, efficient, and responsive to your needs.
• Builds confidence as you see measurable improvement over time.

What to Track:

• Your raw and scaled scores from each full-length practice test.
• Accuracy by section.
• Time spent per section and per question.
• Types of errors (e.g., misreading, timing out, flawed logic).
• Confidence level—how often did you guess or feel unsure?

How to Use the Information:

• Review missed questions thoroughly and keep a record of patterns.
• Reallocate study time to focus on weak areas.
• Adjust your pacing strategy if needed.
• Schedule additional review or practice tests as your test date nears.

If you’re enrolled in a Princeton Review LSAT program, your tutor will help interpret your diagnostic and practice test data to refine your plan week by week.

If you’re looking for best-in-class courses and tutoring, check out our LSAT prep offerings .