Wondering what the best LSAT study schedule looks like? You are in the right place.
Most students spend three to six months preparing for the exam. Research indicates that studying in multiple sessions, rather than cramming, leads to better long-term learning. This matters for the LSAT, where a well-planned schedule over several months builds stronger, longer-lasting skills.
But just how do you create a study schedule that adds stability not stress?
In this guide, I’ll cover how to plan your prep, when to take practice tests, and how to adjust before test day.
Key Takeaways
- Start with a Diagnostic Test: Find your baseline LSAT score so you know where to focus your prep.
- Decide Weekly Study Hours: Set a realistic number of hours per week you can commit.
- Use Practice Tests for Progress: Track improvements and identify weak areas early.
- Focus on High-Impact Sections: Prioritize logical reasoning and reading comprehension.
- Balance Study and Rest: Avoid burnout by scheduling regular breaks and studying in a quiet, distraction-free space.
Start with a Diagnostic Test
Before you create an LSAT study schedule, take a diagnostic test to find your baseline LSAT score. Use a full-length practice test under timed conditions.
Your baseline score shows your current skill level and highlights weak areas so that you can target your prep effectively.
- Treat it like the real thing—same time limits, breaks, and quiet environment.
- Don’t study beforehand; you want a true snapshot of your starting point.
- Track not just your score, but how you felt during the test. The timing stress, fatigue, or confidence dips can be as telling as wrong answers.
- Review each section to spot patterns, such as missing inference questions or running out of time on logic games.
Decide How Many Hours to Study
Most students spend 10–25 hours per week on LSAT preparation. If you have a full-time job or other commitments, plan for shorter, high-efficiency study blocks.
If you have more open time, you can study for the LSAT at a steady pace to build skills without rushing.
- Full-time job? Aim for 1–2 hours on weeknights and a longer 3–4 hour session on weekends. Example: Tuesday and Thursday evenings for logic games, Saturday morning for full practice tests.
- Part-time work or school? Break your study into 2–3 hour blocks, 4–5 days a week. Example: Monday for reading comprehension drills, Wednesday for logical reasoning, Friday for review.
- Summer break or open schedule? Spread out 3–4 hours daily with lighter review days. Example: Morning LSAT practice test, afternoon review and note-taking, light logic puzzle work in the evening.
Match Your Schedule to Your Timeline
6+ Months Out: Build accuracy first with untimed practice, then add timed sections for logical reasoning and reading comprehension.
3–5 Months Out: Begin taking a full-length practice test each week, review your error log, and focus on areas that need improvement.
1 Month Out: Take a practice exam under official LSAT test conditions every week. Increase timed practice and work on question types that give you the most difficulty.
Final Week: Take one last week’s practice test early in the week, review mistakes, then taper down to light drills before test day.
Use a Weekly Plan
Here is an example 3-month LSAT study schedule step:
- Monday: Logical reasoning questions and targeted review (1.5 hrs)
- Tuesday: Reading comprehension timed sections + answer choice review (1.5 hrs)
- Wednesday: LR section drills and error log updates (1.5 hrs)
- Thursday: Assumption questions and conditional statements practice (1 hr)
- Friday: Mixed timed sections and reviewing answers (1.5 hrs)
- Saturday: Full-length practice test under timed conditions (3 hrs)
- Sunday: Review all the questions from yesterday’s practice test, update error logs, and plan next week’s study schedule (2 hrs)
Focus on High-Impact Sections
Logical reasoning and reading comprehension make up the majority of your LSAT test score.
- Logical Reasoning: Practice LR questions regularly. Review each answer choice to see why it is right or wrong. Pay attention to repeated question types.
- Reading Comprehension: Work with dense passages under timed practice. Focus on retaining details and main ideas.
- Other Sections: Keep all sections in rotation so you do not lose easy points.
💡 Pro Tip: If you consistently miss assumption questions or conditional statements, dedicate more time to those patterns until your accuracy improves.
Track Mistakes and Prepare for Test Day
Do more than note which questions you missed. Record why you missed them.
Common reasons include:
- Misunderstanding the question stem
- Overlooking a keyword
- Mismanaging time
Over time, you should see fewer mistakes in the same categories, which is a sign your strategies are working.
As your test date approaches, simulate the LSAT test at your chosen test center or in a quiet space that replicates official test conditions. Use your final practice exam to check pacing, build confidence, and reduce time pressure. Have your game plan ready for test day, including your timing strategy for each LR section and reading comprehension passage.
Simple Habits That Boost Scores
- Plan your week and stick to your study schedule
- Take full-length practice tests
- Mix question types to strengthen various skills
- Use a quiet space to avoid distractions and stay focused
- Give yourself breaks and time to destress
💡 Pro Tip: The night before test day should be for rest, not cramming. Relax, get a good night’s sleep, and arrive ready to perform at your best.
Final Thoughts
Following an LSAT study schedule means committing to consistent practice, reviewing mistakes, and focusing on the sections that matter most. After reviewing dozens of student study plans, I have observed that the most significant score jumps occur in those who track error logs, adhere to a game plan, and begin timed practice early.
Whether you have one month or six, steady improvement is the goal. Your law school future starts with a clear LSAT plan.
Stay disciplined, prepare with purpose, and walk into test day ready to reach your target score.
FAQs
Three to six months of studying for the LSAT.
About 10–25 hours or more if you need to improve your LSAT score.
At the start of prep.
Once a week in most plans.
No, Logic Games are no longer part of the LSAT.
