Thinking about studying law after your time at Cornell? Anxious about having to take another standardized test to get there? These feelings are both incredibly common AND valid.
Below are some facts, advice, and tools to help you prepare for the LSAT – a very important aspect of your law school application.
The LSAT tests skills necessary for success in the first year of law school; studies even prove it is the best predictor of 1L performance. While this statement is rather jarring, it’s crucial to remember that a) admissions are holistic (GPA, essays, recommendations, etc. matter too), and b) the test is LEARNABLE! Of course, it is tricky and will require intense studying to perform your best, but sticking to a strong study plan and reevaluating your strengths and weaknesses as you prepare is key to success.
The LSAT consists of four multiple choice sections and one writing section. The former includes reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning questions. The latter does not have to be taken on test day – writing can be completed up to 8 days prior to the exam, and must be finished in order to view test results afterwards. You only have to take the writing section once, so if you take the LSAT multiple times, there is no need to repeat the writing portion! The exam will remain in an online, remote-proctored format through at least June 2022, so it is critical to find a quiet place to take the exam and to ensure your internet connection is strong.
So, where to even begin with preparation?
- Khan Academy has awesome, free resources on every aspect of LSAT Prep
- LSAC LawHub has 70+ full practice tests to both help you prepare and also to familiarize yourself with the testing platform – with all of the tools and interface that you’ll see on test day
- SET. A. STUDY. SCHEDULE. Give yourself ample time before test day to be fully prepared to perform your best on the exam!
Good luck! The process is not easy, but definitely will be rewarding.