Preparing for the LSAT
For an overview of the LSAT process and content, you can view this resource from the LSAC – Admission Made Simple: Your Journey to Law School
Getting Started
- Sign up for the LSAT early (at least three months in advance to ensure registration and preferred location)! You should take the LSAT no later than the summer and/or fall of the year in which you intend to apply.
- It is recommended you treat studying for the LSAT as if it was a 5-credit class. We suggest you take a lighter course load if you are planning to take classes and study for the LSAT at the same time.
- Determine if you would like to self-study or take an LSAT prep course.
- Some law schools accept GRE scores in lieu of LSAT scores. Here is more information from ETS GRE.
LSAT Prep Courses
We recommend:
- Go through the FREE online prep course created by LSAC in partnership with Khan Academy
- Take an Official LSAT Practice Test and see how well you perform
- Take note of what sections you struggled with or if you feel like you have a good understanding of the test.
- Based on that, start researching which type of support will work best for you in terms of studying and preparing for the LSAT
- UW Instructional Center– Summer LSAT prep course offered
- King County Bar Association LSAT Preparation Grant Program– offers a limited number of participants financial support for LSAT preparatory course work and LSAT registration fees. Applicants selected to receive an LSAT Preparation Grant will be able to choose either an in-person or online LSAT prep course offered by Kaplan.
Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Resources
Types of LSAT Questions | Sample LSAT Test | LSAT Test Prep Books and eBooks | How to prepare for the Digital LSAT
After you’ve received your LSAT score(s), finalize your list of law schools
- Consider applying to 7-10 schools: 2 reach, 3-6 realistic and 1-2 safety schools. Comparing your numbers with the school’s median GPA and LSAT will help you develop your list. The LSAC UGPA/LSAT Search tool can assist with that process.
- REACH schools are ones where you are at, or a little above, the 25th percentile.
- TARGET/REALISTIC schools are ones where your GPA and LSAT are at the school’s median for last year’s entering class.
- SAFETY schools are those where you are at, or close to, the school’s 75th percentile.
- Keep in mind that admissions are holistic, meaning GPA & LSAT are just two components of the entire application and don’t solely determine admission.
- It’s not just all about ranking. Location, environment, class size, tuition, demographics, commitment to diversity, student-professor ratio, bar passage rates, and career placement resources are all important aspects to choosing a school that’s right for you. Take time to read through the law school’s web sites, attend info sessions at the schools, and contact their admissions offices if you have questions.
- Plan carefully how much time you will need to complete each application. We recommend spreading out when you turn in your applications as to not overwhelm yourself.