One major problem that law school applicants studying for the LSAT face is mostly overlooked. You might think that it is reading comprehension passages, common flaws, or logic games. However, the main problem most students have is balancing between studying for the LSAT and work, among other responsibilities. Aspiring to get into law school is a high degree of ambition that demands a lot of planning and sacrifice. That doesn’t mean pausing everything to focus on the LSAT.
You may have demanding courses, internships, work, or family. How do you juggle all these and still perform on your LSAT? As a law school admissions consultant, I have noted some strategies that you can apply to get the best representation of yourself on the LSAT. These are the pieces of wisdom that I have acquired during the period I have worked with students who are in similar situations.
What’s on the LSAT?
The LSAT is the only test accepted by all ABA-accredited law schools in the United States and Canada. Although there are some schools that may prefer the GRE, the LSAT is widely recognized as the most significant part of the law school application process. The LSAT contains three sections with multiple sections that are scored, an unscored experimental question, and a writing sample submission. The scored sections include:
- Logical Reasoning
- Logic Games
- Reading Comprehension
How significant is the LSAT in law school admissions?
Securing admission to your dream law school will depend on many factors. Besides your undergraduate major and score, you will be expected to have an LSAT score that matches the school requirement. Passing the LSAT demands a relative amount of effort. While you will be expected to keep your world running, you need to find a balance between work and studying for the LSAT.
Remember, the LSAT isn’t everything. While it’s essential to study for the exam, your soft factors can help overcome a low LSAT score. Don’t let yourself feel too overwhelmed; you still have control in this process.
How To Find Balance When Studying for the LSAT
Besides studying for the LSAT, there is probably a lot going on in your life. You might have a family to take care of, other academic obligations, or working on an engaging job with a difficult boss. These are some of the tips from a law school admission consultant that will help you strategize differently for the LSAT as you meet other demands:
Give yourself time and be realistic.
The mistake that most students make is underestimating the LSAT and overestimating their ability to juggle other engagements. The LSAT is not like any other standardized test you have encountered. It is impossible to pass without adequate preparations.
You might not have all the time to study for the LSAT, but you can maximize the little time you have. You need at least three hours a day for about three to four months to study for the LSAT. However, some stringent engagements won’t wait. Have the mindset of abundance. If that’s the case, you need to give yourself a little more time. Allocate yourself with a timeline reflective of your availability.
Don’t neglect any part of the process.
Most students, especially second-career students, have the temptation to focus on the LSAT while ignoring other parts of the process. Ideally, there is less significant control over most of the application process, precisely on the LSAT. However, you have control over the essays. That is where you can comfortably lay out your story. Learn how to strengthen your personal statement. Give yourself time to create the ideal representation of yourself. This doesn’t mean that you need to neglect other sections. Instead, take your time, which you have control over, to go through all the pieces of the puzzle.
Understand your goals.
Every law school has its requirements when it comes to LSAT scores. To secure admission to top-ranked law schools, you should attempt to score at least 170 on the LSAT. Know the law school you want to get into and focus on making their cut. You will also be able to estimate how much time you need to prepare adequately for the LSAT based on your practice test scores.
Don’t neglect your weak areas.
Maybe you are comfortable with logical reasoning or reading comprehension, but you lack proficiency in logic games. Do not avoid it. Instead, use the time you are available to put more effort into the weak areas. As we have mentioned, the application is a puzzle that requires all the pieces to craft a masterpiece.
Schedule block and have honest conversations with others.
Sometimes, it means that you need to be unavailable for most people to help you focus your concentration on studying for the LSAT. It can be hard to tell your family that you will be unavailable for a significant period. You may need to communicate with your partner to offset some responsibilities. However, having these conversations may seem like schedule blocking, but that is exactly what you need. Time and development for yourself.
Find the best time for you.
According to scientists, the best period to study is between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM and between 4 PM and 10 PM. Therefore, when balancing work while studying for the LSAT, the best time would possibly be at night. This, however, may not be feasible. You need to find the best time that resonates with you and your schedule. Find your calm time when you have little or no interruptions.
Communicate with your employer.
Preparing for the LSAT may take up significant time and part of your working schedule. You are probably wondering how to start such conversations with your boss. To your surprise, your employer may be willing to offer support and flexibility to allow you to focus on the LSAT preparation. They might relieve you of some responsibilities or probably not have much expectations of your productivity.
Find an accountability partner.
When scheduling LSAT preparation, ensure you are as specific as possible. If you want to study Reading comprehension, give yourself objectives and a timeframe for that. Put that to effect and hold yourself accountable. Set alarms or have a planner that will guide you along the period.
Most students lack motivation when studying for the LSAT. It is common to lack the energy to start or complete your commitments. Sometimes, you need a friend who will regularly ask you about your progress. You might also require some annoying tech piece to keep reminding you when you need to start and honor your commitments.
Avoid burnout.
Studying for the LSAT needs time for rest and recovery. Notice when you’re starting to burnout or starting to feel overwhelmed. There is a time when you will not be operating at your best. Sometimes, you might realize that you are scoring lower than you used to on your practice tests. That is when you should consider switching gears. You can try alternating your study, for example, switching essays between and the LSAT. Quality trumps quantity. It is strategic to take breaks between your learning period to help your mind recover.
