When is the best time to start studying for the LSAT?

Hi Rebecca!

I would recommend that you go ahead and simply familiarize yourself with the LSAT right now, since you are concerned about it. Then, if you have some spare time, and it won't take away from your school work, I would start working on the section commonly referred to as the"Logic Games." They are difficult. On the test, you won't have time to solve problems through the process of trial and error. You will have to know the right way to set up problems to get the right solution on the first try. So, if you want to do anything now to prepare, that is where the focus should be.

However, this will mean you will have to remember all of this for 4 years, and keep working on it regularly to stay sharp at it. An alternative is to learn it just prior to taking the test. There are classes you can take for LSAT prep. It would probably be a much better use of your time to just wait until then to learn this material, and concentrate on your school work right now.

Best of luck!
Kim

It is great that you like to be well prepared for things. You still have several years of college to go before you have to start worrying about law school. I would concentrate on getting good grades and developing good study habits in college and perhaps after your sophomore year if you want to take your summers and just begin to look over the LSAT materials and get familiar with the questions/topics that would be a good thing to do. However I would concentrate your efforts first and foremost on your college courses. Your GPA will make a difference in what schools you will be eligible for as well as the LSAT score, so don't short yourself on those courses.

I wish you the best in your pursuit of a legal career. It can be a very rewarding profession.

I admire your forethought and planning! I agree with the earlier response that junior year is a reasonable time to start studying for the LSAT, but also consider that many courses you are probably already taking and the things you do to prepare for exams in those courses will be helpful for the LSAT. In particular, any classes where you need analytical reasoning, logic and reading comprehension are 'training' for the LSAT. And the good thing about exams like the LSAT is that you can always improve your score - it doesn't simply test for memorization of facts. If you take sample tests and see where your weaknesses are, you can practice, practice, and practice till you see improvement. Good luck!

You can probably start studying your Junior year of college for the LSAT. The LSAT is offered 4 times a year, February, June, September and December. Just like any other standardized test you may find yourself taking it multiple times, so allow yourself enough time to study, await results and determine if you will take it again.

Good luck!