Vector of a student studying with LSAT sample questions.

The LSAT is a high-stakes test that can play a large role in determining the law schools to which you'll be accepted. While you can retake the test, that will cost you both time and money. Here are 3 tried-and-true steps you can take to be as efficient as possible when studying with LSAT sample questions.

1. Learn the LSAT's Patterns

The LSAT is an extremely predictable test that asks the same types of questions over and over again. As you practice with LSAT sample questions, focus on mastering their patterns so that you will have an easier time with them on test day.

Logical Reasoning Patterns

  • Whether the stimulus has an argument or a collection of facts
    • For arguments, separate the author's main conclusion from the support for that conclusion and identify any unstated assumptions that the author makes to get to that conclusion.
  • The indicators of the author's main conclusion
    • Look for statements of opinion, recommendations, courses of action, and language such as "thus", "therefore", "clearly", or "in conclusion."
  • The common faulty assumptions that authors make
    • When an author draws a conclusion that one thing causes another, there's an assumption that there's no other cause.
    • There's often a shift in language between the conclusion and premises. When the conclusion contains a concept that wasn't in the premises, an assumption is required that there's a connection between the new concept and the premises.
  • The ways that answer choices fix or exploit flaws in arguments
    • Filling in a missing assumption makes the conclusion more likely to be true.
    • Evidence that shows that the assumption is not true hurts the conclusion.
  • When strong language in an answer choice is beneficial (rarely!)
    • Strong language is beneficial if a question is asking you to strengthen or weaken the conclusion – an answer choice with strong language is more likely to make an impact on the conclusion.
    • Strong language is a red flag in questions that ask you to make an inference – the credited response to an inference question will be something that you can prove, and strong language is harder to prove.

Reading Comprehension Patterns

  • How patterns in how passages are organized
    • It's important to recognize where the author's thesis is: up front, at the end, or needing to be pieced together.
  • The common question types and the trap answers associated with them
    • The fact that an answer choice is true doesn't necessarily make it the credited response!

2. Learn Your Personal Strengths and Weaknesses

Not all questions are created equal, but each question has the same impact on your score regardless of whether it was an easy question that you got right in 20 seconds or a hard question that took you several minutes. Being able to quickly identify which types of questions to prioritize and which ones to leave for later (or never) gives you an advantage.

  • Questions that ask you to identify the author's main conclusion are typically a good bet to prioritize
  • Questions that ask you to parallel the reasoning of the stimulus are typically best left for later

If you have time, dive deeper into each category. Is there a type of question that you often get wrong, despite feeling comfortable with its content? Make a list of things to look out for and consider leaving the following for later:

  • wordy stimuli
  • abstract language
  • implied conclusions
  • EXCEPT/LEAST/NOT questions

3. Learn to Beat the Clock

The LSAT doesn't just require content mastery; it also requires careful time management. The sooner you get to a place where you can work LSAT practice questions at the pace you'll need on the test, the better.

  • Start learning content at a relaxed pace, if needed.
  • Once you start working timed sections or a full LSAT practice test, set a pacing goal that is 2–3 questions more than the number of questions you last got right.
    • For example, if you previously got 15 questions right, aim to do 17–18 questions next time, guessing on the 6–7 hardest questions in the section.

Make the most of your practice with LSAT sample questions before, during, and after your drilling. Set up goals, work on your timing, and learn from your mistakes (and the test's patterns). Every question, even the ones that you've got down cold, can help prepare you for the LSAT.