Master Gameplan
The following master gameplan will help you envision your overall path to
success and make the most of your total preparation.
- Work Through the Scored Section Chapters. In Chapters 1–3,
you’ll study and practice every nuance of the three scored multiple-choice
sections: Logical Reasoning, Logic Games, and Reading Comprehension. Take your
time and work diligently with the material in these chapters to form the
foundation of your LSAT approach.
We’ve included “Take Away” boxes throughout the book that
look like this and contain nuggets of LSAT wisdom derived from the numerous
practice examples we provide. As the name suggests, these bits of LSAT wisdom
represent the concepts that you should take away from each
specific practice example you work through. Internalizing the Take Aways will be
an important part of your LSAT success.
- Practice the Writing Sample. Work through the Writing Sample
material in Chapter 4 during downtime from your primary preparation. Because
this section of the test is unscored there’s no great urgency to get to this
chapter, but you should certainly read it at some point and be sure to practice
writing at least a few additional sample responses prior to test day.
- Take and Review the Practice Test. Reinforce what you’ve
learned throughout the book by taking the practice test in Chapter 5 and
reviewing the answers and explanations thoroughly. Use the practice test to
highlight your strengths and weaknesses and to guide you to the relevant
sections of the book that address your problem areas.
- Work with PrepTests. After assimilating the strategies and
techniques in this book, cement your approach by applying everything you’ve
learned to recent PrepTests purchased from LSAC. In your final phase of
preparation, you should take at least three full-length timed tests. That means
that for each of these practice tests you should work through two Logical
Reasoning sections, one Reading Comprehension section, one Logic Games section,
and one unscored section of any of the three types. (You can, if you wish, cut
yourself some slack and omit the unscored section and the Writing Sample, but if
you want to create a fully simulated experience, include these as well.) Try, if
you can, to schedule these simulated test runs at the same time of day as your
actual test. It’s important to build up your stamina even after you’ve mastered
the material, and having full-length test experiences under your belt will help
you avoid test day burnout and will make the real thing seem that much more
familiar. Continue to delineate areas of concern and return to this book to
reinforce the skills you need to turn weaknesses into strengths. Scan the Take
Aways scattered throughout the book to gear yourself up for your simulated test
runs, and as a last-minute review in the days before the real thing.
- Succeed on Test Day. Knowledge, practice, and experience will
pay off when it counts as you confidently knock back this first challenge of
your legal career.
No doubt, mastering the LSAT is a major undertaking. As you’ll soon see,
however, the test is extremely systematic, coachable, and conquerable. Ready to get
started?
Okay, let’s do it.
