LSAT prep: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What lsat prep is

LSAT prep helps law school applicants prepare for the logical reasoning and reading comprehension sections of the admissions exam, using timed drills and review. Applicants book it when a first practice score is below the target, when the logical reasoning or reading comprehension questions feel like a wall, or when they want a structured plan before a test date.

Signs you need it

  • Logical reasoning questions are hard to follow, and the applicant cannot say where the argument breaks
  • Reading passages are long, and the applicant loses focus before the end
  • The applicant runs out of time on the logical reasoning sections
  • Practice scores are flat after weeks of working alone
  • The applicant has a test date set and no plan for the weeks before it

What the pro does

  • Runs a timed diagnostic and reviews the results for each section with the applicant
  • Teaches the structure of arguments and how to spot the assumption, the conclusion and the flaw
  • Works on reading passages with a method for finding the main point and the structure
  • Covers the logical reasoning question types, such as strengthen, weaken and flaw questions, with a set approach for each
  • Reviews each practice test with the applicant and sets the next focus for the next session

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Length of each session and how many sessions are in a series
  • Whether the course is a short workshop or a longer program over several months
  • Whether sessions are in person or online
  • Private tutoring versus a small group class
  • Whether practice tests and review of each drill are included
  • How much content review the applicant needs before the strategy work

What a written quote should spell out

  • Number of sessions, session length and the start date
  • Whether practice tests and drill reviews are included
  • Whether sessions are in person or online, and what materials are used
  • Cancellation and make-up policy
  • Whether the tutor will share progress reports with the applicant

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How do you start, and what will the first timed diagnostic show?
  • How do you teach logical reasoning so the applicant can spot the flaw in an argument?
  • How do you teach the logical reasoning question types, such as strengthen, weaken and flaw questions?
  • Do you use official practice materials, and how do you get them?
  • How many full practice tests will we do, and when?
  • What is your own background in logic, law or reasoning?
  • What improvement is realistic for me, and how will we measure it?

Red flags

  • Promises a set score or a specific jump in points
  • Uses unofficial questions and claims they are the real exam
  • Teaches a single method that is said to solve every question type
  • Pushes a long package of sessions before a diagnostic test

What you can do yourself

An applicant can do timed drills on one question type a day, review every wrong answer and write down the reason the correct answer is correct. Use the test maker's official practice materials, which are often free. Hire a tutor when one question type keeps breaking the score, when reading passages are the main problem, or when the applicant needs a clear plan for the logical reasoning sections.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to tutor for a law school admissions exam privately. A tutor teaches test skills, not legal advice. Ask whether the tutor has teaching experience or a degree in a related field, and check with your state or local licensing agency only if the program has its own rules for test prep services.

LSAT prep questions

Do I need to know law to take the LSAT?

No. The exam tests reasoning and reading, not legal knowledge. A tutor can teach the logic the exam uses, even for applicants who have never studied law.

How long should I study for the LSAT?

Many applicants study for several months. Ask the tutor for a diagnostic test first, then a plan with a test date and steady weekly practice.

Is a tutor better than a self-study course?

A tutor helps when practice scores are flat, when a question type keeps going wrong, or when the applicant needs feedback on each mistake. Self-study works well for some applicants who review every wrong answer.

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