University at Buffalo (UB)
Inside LSAT Prep: Lessons from Those Who’ve Been There
Published August 31, 2026
The Law School Admission Test, or LSAT, can feel daunting when you are first beginning the law school application process. The good news is that you do not need to figure it out all at once. With the right timeline, consistent practice, and a study plan that fits your life, you can begin preparing in a way that feels much more manageable.
In November 2025, the Office of Admissions surveyed current 1L, 2L, and 3L students who took the LSAT to learn more about how they approached the exam. The survey focused on preparation timelines, study habits, and the resources students found most helpful. Their responses offer practical guidance for future applicants who are deciding where to begin.
Where to Start
One of the most important parts of preparing for the LSAT is choosing a general test timeline. In my own experience, selecting a test date six to eight months in advance gave me enough time to build a realistic study schedule without feeling overwhelmed.
If you are just beginning, here are three helpful first steps:
- Choose a general test window.
You do not need to have every detail figured out immediately, but having a rough test date in mind can help you work backward and create a study plan. - Take an initial diagnostic or sample test.
This gives you a better sense of your starting point and helps you identify which sections may need the most attention. - Build a consistent weekly routine.
In our survey, 85% of students reported studying at least three days per week. Consistency matters, especially when your study time includes both practice and review.
Survey respondents also frequently pointed to section-by-section drilling and full-length timed practice tests as helpful study methods. In our survey, 69% of students selected section-by-section drills, and 69% selected full-length timed practice tests. As you study, it can also help to track incorrect answers, review explanations carefully, and use video lessons or strategy guides to better understand the sections of the exam.
LSAT Resources
Many LSAT preparation services require payment, but there are still helpful resources available for students who are trying to keep costs low. In our survey, students who spent less than $100 on LSAT preparation reported similar score outcomes to students who spent more than $100. While every student’s experience is different, this suggests that effective study habits and targeted practice can matter just as much as expensive resources.
Everyone who plans to take the LSAT will need to create a Law School Admission Council (LSAC) account. Through LSAC, students can access LawHub, which includes free official LSAT preparation materials. This is a helpful place to begin because it allows you to practice with official LSAT content and become familiar with the testing format.
From there, you may also want to explore additional resources, including:
- LawHub’s free official LSAT prep materials
- LawHub Advantage, for access to a larger library of official practice tests
- 7Sage LSAT
- LSAT Demon
The right resource will depend on how you learn. Some students benefit from structured lessons and explanations, while others prefer timed practice, drilling, and independent review.
Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension
For Logical Reasoning, one approach that helped me was completing practice questions and reviewing my mistakes closely. Over time, this helped me recognize common question types, patterns, and reasoning structures. The goal is not just to answer more questions, but to understand why the correct answer is correct and why the other options are not.
For Reading Comprehension, I found it helpful to focus on active and strategic reading. Rather than getting stuck on every small detail, try to identify the author’s main point, purpose, tone, and the structure of the passage. Understanding how the passage is built can make the questions easier to approach.
Students in our survey also emphasized the value of practice and review. Many respondents pointed to full-length timed exams, section-by-section drills, and reviewing missed questions as important parts of their preparation.
Retaking the LSAT
If your first LSAT score does not reflect your goals, retaking the exam can be a smart and common next step. In our survey, 65% of students reported taking the LSAT more than once. Among those repeat test takers, 82% increased their score by at least two points, and 47% increased their score by five points or more.
That said, retaking the exam is most helpful when it is intentional. Before registering again, take time to review your previous performance, identify what needs to change, and build a clear plan for your next round of studying. Many students found that a second or third test better reflected their potential once they adjusted their preparation.T
Preparing for the LSAT is a long-term process, but it does not have to feel impossible. Start by choosing a test window, using official practice materials, building a weekly routine, and reviewing your work carefully. Small, consistent steps can help you build confidence as you move closer to test day.
More statistics
- 85% of students reported studying at least three days per week.
- 69% of students selected section-by-section drilling as one of their most helpful study methods.
- 69% of students selected full-length timed practice tests as one of their most helpful study methods.
- 77% of students studying for the LSAT took three or more full-length practice exams.
- 42% of students took six or more full-length practice exams.
- 65% of students took the LSAT more than once.
- Among students who retook the LSAT, 82% increased their score by at least two points.
- Among students who retook the LSAT, 47% increased their score by five points or more.
- Students who spent less than $100 on LSAT preparation reported similar score outcomes to students who spent more than $100.
