| The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is the most | | | | assumption, weaken an argument, strengthen an |
| important factor in admission to all | | | | argument or describe a flaw in reasoning. |
| ABA–approved law schools, many | | | | LSAT Test Tip #3: Learn the Wrong Answers. |
| non–ABA–approved law schools, and most of | | | | “The LSAT test features the same types of |
| the law schools in Canada. It is considered by many | | | | wrong answers over and over, quarter after |
| to be one of the toughest test on the planet for | | | | quarter,” says M. Your can see an immediate |
| graduate school admission. Fortunately, you don’t | | | | score jump just be being able to eliminate a few |
| have to be a genius to get a great score | | | | common wrong answer types. “There is no |
| –although it doesn’t hurt, either. With plenty | | | | penalty for wrong answers,” says M, “so if |
| of preparation, many students see an increase of 12 | | | | you can eliminate three out of every five answer |
| or more points on the LSAT test. | | | | choices, it’s essentially like getting half a point |
| With summer here, it is the perfect time of year to | | | | right even if you don’t know what the actual |
| study for the LSAT test. We asked M, the founder | | | | right answer is.” If you’re currently scoring |
| of TestSherpa LSAT Test Preparation, to share his | | | | about half of the test right, and then make a guess |
| top five tips for LSAT Test preparation. | | | | between the right answer and another answer you |
| LSAT Test Tip #1: Analyze Released Tests. | | | | couldn’t eliminate, you’d score another |
| “The LSAT is more like a sport than a traditional | | | | quarter of the test correct as well. Getting 75% of |
| test,” TestSherpa’s M says. “It | | | | the test right, even through a process of elimination, |
| doesn’t test knowledge, it tests thinking | | | | could raise your score on the LSAT test above the |
| styles.” According to M, the best way to | | | | 160 level. |
| improve your thinking style for a high LSAT score is | | | | LSAT Test Tip #4: Don’t Fear the Games. |
| to break apart as many tests as you can get your | | | | Most students fear the game section because |
| hands on. Fortunately, LSAC releases previous LSAT | | | | they’ve never worked with anything like it in |
| tests for students to study. There are two things M | | | | their undergraduate curriculum. But the key to a high |
| suggests you do with your released practice tests. | | | | score in the Analytical Reasoning section of the LSAT |
| First, take them like the real test and analyze your | | | | test is practice. “Most of our TestSherpa |
| strengths and weaknesses question by question. If | | | | students begin feeling extremely intimidated by logic |
| you know your weaknesses, you know where to | | | | games,” says M, “but when they finish the |
| focus your practice time. Second, spend time trying | | | | course, it becomes their favorite section.” |
| to see why the test makers wrote the arguments, | | | | LSAT Test Tip #5: Don’t Ignore the Written |
| questions and wrong answer choices the way they | | | | Essay. |
| did. Understanding what the test is really testing and | | | | Many students don’t pay enough attention to |
| why is the key to navigating the course on test day. | | | | the written essay of the LSAT test because it is |
| LSAT Test Tip #2: Focus on Assumptions. | | | | unscored. Unfortunately, it is one of the key factors |
| Half of the LSAT test -- the two logical reasoning | | | | that can separate you from the rest of the pack. |
| sections -- are about analyzing arguments. The key | | | | “Students pick their application schools based on |
| to understanding arguments is understanding the | | | | their LSAT scores and GPA,” says M. “That |
| central assumption of an argument. The central | | | | means you’re going to be in a pile with a bunch |
| assumption of any argument is like a hidden piece of | | | | of other applicants with similar scores and grades. |
| evidence. It is a secret key to unlocking the | | | | The written essay, along with your personal |
| argument author’s thinking. Many LSAT questions | | | | statement, work history and some other outside |
| are based on finding the central assumption, including | | | | factors, are what help you rise out of the giant pile |
| questions asking you to find an inference, find the | | | | of application folders. |