The Seven Deadly LSAT Sins

Time is most definitely a factor on the LSAT. Almost every test-taker runs out of time before finishing at least one section of the exam. In fact, if you don't work constantly at a somewhat quicker pace than what is comfortable for you, you're not likely to finish any section! Why does the testing service impose such great time pressure? Well, given enough time, most test-takers can respond correctly to nearly all the questions. Imposing a short time limit is necessary to achieve a wide distribution of test scores.
 
Develop a sense for your optimal pace — one that results in the greatest number of correct responses. As you take the mini-tests and full-length practice tests in Countdown to the LSAT, learn to get comfortable with a quick pace by adhering strictly to the time limits imposed.

You can miss quite a few questions and still get a very high score on the LSAT. Resist the temptation to stick with a "tough" question until you're sure your response is correct. Stubborn, perfectionist tendencies will only defeat you on the LSAT! All questions — difficult ones and easy ones alike — are worth one point each. Let someone else spend an inordinate amount of time on a tough question, while you move on and make sure to answer all the easier ones.

LSAT questions are not designed to trick you in any way. The testing service takes every precaution to ensure that all questions are clear and unambiguous and that there is one best response to every question. As long as you believe your thinking is fairly clear as you read and consider a question, do not second guess your own judgment as to which response is the correct one. You'll only waste valuable time by over-analyzing a question.

While taking the LSAT, it's remarkably easy to fall into a passive mode — one in which you allow your eyes to simply pass over the words while you hope that the correct response will jump out at you as you scan the answer choices. This tendency is understandable, given the dry nature of the material included on the LSAT. But you can fight it by interacting with the test as you read. For example, as you work through the Reading Comprehension and Logical Reasoning sections, frequently ask yourself questions such as these:
 

• What's the point here?
• How is the test maker trying to trip me up here?
• Why does the author make this point?
• Is there some portion of this paragraph that relates most directly to the specific question?
   
  
Use your pencil to help keep you in an active mode. Circle and underline key words and phrases; make brief notes in the margins; draw flow charts and other diagrams to help you understand what you're reading.

If you're like most test-takers, you have a particular law school in mind as your first choice, and you think you need a particular LSAT score to be admitted to that school. Okay, setting a certain score as a goal is understandable; but try not to concern yourself as much with your scores as with what you can constructively do between now and exam day to improve your performance. As you attempt the LSAT practice questions here at this site, as well as the mini-tests and full-length practice tests in Countdown to the LSAT, focus on developing skills, not on your scores.

Preparing for the LSAT is a bit like training for an athletic event. You need to familiarize yourself with the event, learn to be comfortable with it, and build up your endurance. At some point — hopefully, around exam day — your motivation, interest and performance will peak. Because the LSAT does not measure substantive knowledge, "cramming" for the test makes no sense.
 
By the same token, there is a point beyond which additional study and practice confer little or no additional benefit. Devoting one month of your attention, energy, and concern to the LSAT is plenty of time. Don't drag the process out by starting several months in advance or by postponing the exam to allow yourself more time than you really need for preparation.

Be realistic about the benefits you should expect from my book or any other LSAT preparation book or course. There is only so much you can do in a month — or even a year — to boost your LSAT score. Although you're theoretically capable of attaining a perfect score on the LSAT, in reality you're constrained by your innate abilities and talents. Accept your limitations. With regular study and practice, you'll perform as well as you can reasonably expect.