Trying to improve your LSAT score? You’re not alone. Most test takers struggle more with how to prepare than with the actual content.
From what I’ve seen, most test takers score between 150 and 153, landing in the 40th to 50th percentile, which is not competitive for most law schools. To reach a higher score, you must understand the test, practice under pressure, and learn from your mistakes.
This guide shares what works and what most people overlook when aiming to improve their LSAT score.
Key Takeaways
- Know the Sections First: Understanding what’s on the test helps shape your LSAT prep.
- Practice Tests Are Essential: Use timed conditions and review all the questions.
- Wrong Answers Teach You the Most: Study why you got a question wrong to learn faster.
- Focus on Logical Reasoning and Reading: These sections often lower the average test score.
- Plan for Test Day Early: The test center experience affects your final result more than you think.
Types of LSAT Sections
Logic games were removed in the latest update. The LSAT now has two Logical Reasoning sections and one Reading Comprehension section.
Reading Comprehension
- Tests how well you understand complex texts
- Includes long passages with questions on structure, ideas, and key details
Logical Reasoning
- Appears twice on the test
- Focuses on analyzing short arguments
- Tests your ability to spot flaws, assumptions, and choose the correct answer
LSAT Writing
- A separate, unscored essay taken online
- You choose a side on a decision prompt and support it
- Law schools review it to evaluate your writing clarity and logic
- You get 35 minutes to complete it, and you can take it up to 8 days before or after your main test
Experimental Section
- Appears once on the test
- Unscored, but looks like a real Logical Reasoning or Reading Comprehension section
- Used by test makers to test future LSAT questions
💡 Pro Tip: Since you won’t know which sections are unscored, treat every section as if it counts.
Improve Logical Reasoning Skills
In my experience reviewing LSAT content, Logical Reasoning is where students typically see the most significant gains. It appears twice and has the most impact on your overall score, so it makes sense to focus there early.
I appreciate how some prep books break down topics like conditional statements and sufficient and necessary conditions in a clear manner. Video explanations also help many test takers work through tricky questions step by step.
If you want to raise your LSAT score, don’t just guess. Break down each argument and understand why the correct answer works and why the others don’t.
Discover Your Starting Point with a Practice Test
Start with a full-length timed practice test. It shows your baseline and highlights the areas that require the most focus. It displays your baseline score and identifies which sections require the most improvement.
When I review prep tools, I look for realistic practice exams. The best ones feel like the actual LSAT. You should simulate the entire test, without taking any extra breaks or pausing.
After the test, go over every question you missed. Figure out why your answer was wrong and what made the correct answer better. That’s where the real progress happens.
💡 Pro Tip: Take your first practice test early in your study plan. It gives you more time to address weak areas and track improvement weekly.
What Makes It Hard vs. What Makes It Easier
Why It’s Hard:
- Unfamiliar logic-based format with strict timing
- Struggles with reading comprehension and pacing
- Many students don’t review their wrong answers
- Anxiety and busy schedules affect focus and study time
Why It’s Easier for Some:
- They review every mistake and learn from it
- Timed practice builds stamina and confidence
- A consistent study schedule keeps prep on track
- Staying calm helps performance on test day
How to Learn from Wrong Answers
Here’s one of the most important tips I can give: study your mistakes. Every wrong answer shows you what needs work.
I always check if a prep course includes full explanations, not just of the correct answer, but why the others are wrong. I appreciate that level of detail because it fosters a genuine understanding.
The more you recognize your patterns, the less likely you’ll repeat the same mistakes. Make this a weekly habit, especially after taking practice exams.
Simple Tips for Test Day Success
Here are a few tips that can boost your test score on test day:
- Arrive at the test center early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Get solid sleep the night before to stay sharp.
- Bring your ID, water, and any approved materials.
- Take practice exams under real test conditions beforehand.
- Stick to what you’ve practiced and don’t try new strategies on test day.
The more your practice feels like the real thing, the better you’ll perform.
Should You Hire an LSAT Tutor?
Some students improve with self-study, but if your score isn’t moving, a top LSAT tutor can help.
Tutors can walk you through tricky logic problems, explain reading comprehension questions clearly, and help you review practice tests more effectively. They can also break down conditional statements and help avoid common logic traps.
💡 Pro Tip: Look for a tutor who helps you think through the reasoning behind each answer, not just gives you the correct one.
My Final Verdict
As someone who regularly reviews test prep, I believe the best way to improve your LSAT score is to stay consistent and be honest about your weak areas.
Whether you use a course or study on your own, what matters most is how you review your practice exams. Focus on the questions you miss. Work on developing your logical reasoning and reading comprehension skills. Even a few focused hours each week can move your score.
Keep showing up, keep reviewing your mistakes, and your score will go up. That’s what matters.
FAQs
Most people study for 2 to 3 months.
160+ is strong for most law schools.
Yes, up to 5 times in 5 years.
It’s unscored, but schools still read it.
Reading Comprehension feels the longest, even though all sections are 35 minutes.
