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Creating an effective LSAT study plan is more than just making a to-do list. It’s about designing a strategy that works with your life, not against it. For many test takers, juggling school, work, and personal commitments can make LSAT preparation feel overwhelming. That’s why a practical, well-structured plan is essential.
Success comes from striking the right balance between regular LSAT practice, careful review, and timed practice tests. A strong plan doesn’t just focus on the hours you put in. It focuses on how you use those hours. By strategically targeting your weak spots, reinforcing your strengths, and tracking your progress, you can build confidence and make measurable improvements over time.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to craft an LSAT study plan that fits your schedule, keeps you motivated, and ensures your LSAT preparation is both efficient and effective. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to refine your approach, the right plan can transform the way you study, helping you stay consistent, reduce stress, and ultimately achieve a higher score.
Read: How Long is the LSAT? Full Test & Section Breakdown
What the Official LSAT Looks Like Now
Your official LSAT consists of four multiple-choice sections, each lasting 35 minutes, with a short break after the second section. The test includes:
- Two scored Logical Reasoning sections
- One scored the Reading Comprehension section
- One unscored section that may be Logical Reasoning or Reading Comprehension
That’s the structure your LSAT prep should match: four timed sections, realistic pacing, and practice in the same environment as the actual exam.
If you use LawHub Advantage, you can practice in the same digital interface you’ll see on test day. LSAC also provides four full Official PrepTests for free in LawHub, and LawHub Advantage adds a larger library of official exams for a yearly fee.
Note on logic games: starting with the August 2024 LSAT, the Analytical Reasoning section (commonly called logic games) is no longer part of the test. If you still see “logic games” in older resources, treat it as optional skill work or skip it and focus on Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension.
What to Do Before You Build Your LSAT Study Schedule
Take a baseline practice exam (your baseline score)
Before you choose a timeline, take a practice exam as a diagnostic. This gives you your baseline score and your baseline LSAT score. Use an official LSAT PrepTest in LawHub if possible, and take it under timed conditions so the result means something.
After the test, do a thorough review. Your goal is to identify areas that are costing you points:
- Which question types create the most wrong answers
- Where do you feel the most time pressure
- Whether your mistakes come from misunderstanding, rushing, or picking the tempting answer instead of the right answer
This step is the foundation of your lsat study schedule. Without it, you risk wasting time.
Set your goal score and target score
Your goal score should match the schools you want. A practical way to pick a goal is to check each school’s published median score for entering students and use that as your target score baseline for planning. You don’t need a perfect plan on day one. You need a plan that gets you from your baseline to your target with steady improvement.
Pick a timeline based on your test date and your life
Your test date drives everything. So does your weekly capacity. Ask yourself two questions:
- How many weeks until the test date nears?
- How many hours can you truly study without breaking your routine?
Here’s a simple way to decide:
- 1-month LSAT study plan: you’re close to your test date, you already have a baseline, and you can study most days
- 3-month LSAT study plan: the best fit for most students because it balances skill building and repetition
- 6-month LSAT study schedule: you need more runway, you have a full-time job, or you want slower pacing at your own pace
Core Principles of an Effective LSAT Study Plan
Skill work beats random practice
An LSAT schedule works when you build reasoning skills in a focused way. That means you don’t just “do more questions.” You practice with intent, then you review with intent.
A strong study plan uses three repeating actions:
- Targeted drills with practice questions
- Timed sets with timed practice
- Review that teaches you why you missed it
Use both untimed practice and timed practice
You need both.
- Untimed practice helps you learn methods, spot patterns, and build accuracy.
- Timed practice helps you execute under pressure and stick to pacing.
If you always do timed work, you may keep repeating the same mistakes. If you only do untimed work, your timing won’t match the lsat test reality.
Blind review changes the quality of your review
Blind review means you review questions again without checking the answers first. You try to solve them with full attention and then compare your second attempt to your original answers.
Blind review helps you separate:
- “I didn’t understand” mistakes
- “I rushed” mistakes
- “I got tricked by wordin” mistakes
This is where you start spotting common flaws and patterns in your thinking.
Track progress so your schedule stays honest
A schedule should change as you improve. Use a simple tracker:
- Raw score (sections + total)
- Missed question types
- Timing notes
- One action item per section
This helps you track progress, adjust your study schedule, and stop repeating the same mistakes.
How many hours should you study for the LSAT?
There is no single number that works for everyone. But for planning, you can use these ranges as a starting point:
- 1-month plan: 15–25 hours/week
- 3-month plan: 10–18 hours/week
- 6-month plan: 6–12 hours/week
Your baseline matters here. If your baseline score is far from your target score, you usually need more total hours and more full-length work. If you’re already near your goal, you may need fewer hours but a better review.
1-Month LSAT Study Schedule (intensive month LSAT study)
This plan is best suited for students who are approaching their test date and want a focused, efficient way to boost their score. It works well if you already have a baseline and some familiarity with the LSAT, building on what you know rather than starting from scratch. While the schedule is intensive, it’s designed to help you study consistently and effectively, even alongside school, work, or other commitments. It’s especially helpful for retakers or those comfortable with the basics who can commit to regular, focused study sessions each week.
1-month schedule table
| Week | Focus | Daily work | Practice tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Baseline + core methods | 60–120 minutes of targeted LR + RC, mostly untimed, then short timed sets | 1 diagnostic practice exam (early week) |
| Week 2 | Timing + accuracy | timed practice sets; review wrong answers; start section pacing | 1 full-length practice test |
| Week 3 | Pressure training | more timed sections; build stamina; sharpen common question types | 1 full-length practice test |
| Week 4 | Test simulation | mixed timed sections; lighter drills; focus on consistency | 1–2 full-length practice (last one 5–7 days before test day) |
Day-by-day structure you can repeat
Use this as your “default day,” then adjust around your own schedule:
- 45–60 minutes: Logical Reasoning drills (mix of logical reasoning questions)
- 30–45 minutes: Reading Comprehension passages (2–3 reading comprehension passages)
- 30–60 minutes: review (blind review + notes on wrong answers)
As your test date nears, protect your focus. Late-stage prep is about fewer new ideas and more reliable execution.
3-Month LSAT Study Plan (Balanced Plan for Most Students)
A three-month timeline gives you enough time to learn strategies, build speed, and test yourself effectively. This plan is ideal if:
- You’re just starting your LSAT preparation.
- You need a steady plan that fits around school or a full-time job.
- You want enough time for practice tests and review without feeling rushed.
Month-by-Month Breakdown
| Month | Main Goal | Weekly Structure | Focus / Priority | Practice Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | Build foundations & accuracy | 4–5 study days; mostly untimed work with short timed sets | - Logical Reasoning: argument parts, assumptions, conditional statements - Reading Comprehension: passage structure, question types - Start an error log to track recurring mistakes | 1 baseline test + 1 timed section set per week |
| Month 2 | Increase timed work & section pacing | 5 study days; mix of timed sections + focused review | - Shift to mixed timed sections (LR + RC) - Short drill sessions targeting weaknesses - Practice with digital interface (LawHub) | 1 full-length practice test every 1–2 weeks |
| Month 3 | Full-length practice, stamina, & test-day consistency | 5–6 study days; full timed sections + full tests | - Regular full-length practice under test-like conditions - Pressure training & timing - Deep review of persistent mistakes (beyond surface-level errors) | 1 full-length practice test per week |
How to Use This Table
Use this table as a flexible guide, adjusting the weekly structure to fit your personal schedule. Keep a close eye on your errors and take the time to understand why they happen. Remember, mistakes are a natural part of the learning process, so don’t be discouraged. Gradually increase your timed work, focusing on accuracy in Month 1, pacing in Month 2, and full-length endurance in Month 3.
6-Month LSAT Study Schedule (Long Runway, Steady Pace)
A six-month plan is ideal if you’re balancing work, school, or family responsibilities. It allows for steady progress without burnout and is perfect if your baseline score is still far from your goal.
| Months | Focus | Weekly Workload | Actions / Priority | Practice Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Build skills & accuracy | 3–5 days/week; mostly untimed with short timed sets | - Focus on understanding methods for Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension - Weekly review sessions to identify patterns, not just isolated errors | 1 baseline test + occasional timed sections |
| 3-4 | Timing & realistic practice | 4–5 days/week; incorporate regular timed sections | - Make timed sections routine - Include daily Reading Comprehension practice blocks - Begin taking full tests on a predictable schedule | 1 full-length test every 2 weeks |
| 5-6 | Full-length simulation & score stabilization | 5–6 days/week; combination of full tests and review | - Weekly full-length practice under test-like conditions - Strong, blind review to understand mistakes - Small, focused drills between tests to target weaknesses | 1 full-length test per week |
How to use them without wasting time
Practice tests are where you learn how your prep holds up under real pacing. But the score only helps if your review is strong.
How often to take full-length skill tests
A common pattern:
- 1-month plan: 1 test per week (sometimes 2 near the end, with careful recovery time)
- 3-month plan: every 1–2 weeks early, then weekly in the last month
- 6-month plan: every 2 weeks in the middle, then weekly in the final phase
A practice test review checklist (use this every time)
After each full-length practice:
- Do a blind review for every question you flagged or missed
- Categorize each missed question type
- Write one sentence: why the wrong answer was wrong
- Write one sentence: why the right answer is the right answer
- Choose 1–2 drills for the next week based on that review
This turns a test into learning. Without this, prep tests can become a score-chasing loop.
Common Mistakes That Lower Your LSAT Score And How to Fix Them
1. Asking too many questions and not reviewing enough
Many students equate quantity with productivity. The more LSAT practice questions you do, the better, right? Not exactly. Your score improves most when you focus on understanding your mistakes. Every incorrect question is a goldmine of insight: Why did you miss it? What trap did you fall into?
A disciplined LSAT study schedule should allocate dedicated time for thorough review after each practice session. One LSAT study schedule step could be a 50/50 split: half your session answering questions, half dissecting them. This ensures you’re building reasoning skills, not just completing question sets.
2. Avoiding your weakest areas
It’s human nature to stick with what’s comfortable, but in LSAT prep, that’s a trap. Logical reasoning or reading comprehension sections that you find hard are exactly where you can gain the most points. A solid study schedule rotates through your weakest areas consistently, ensuring you don’t plateau. For example, if logical reasoning is your Achilles’ heel, your LSAT study schedule should include focused drills and targeted review multiple times per week. Remember that growth happens outside your comfort zone.
3. Constantly switching resources
Switching prep books, online courses, or question banks too often can feel productive, but it breaks momentum. Your brain needs consistency to recognize patterns and internalize strategies. Pick one or two high-quality resources, follow them for at least two weeks, then adjust based on LSAT practice results. Track your errors, analyze trends, and make data-driven tweaks. This is far more effective than hopping between every new guide you encounter.
4. Training timing before building accuracy
Speed without accuracy is a dangerous habit. Jumping straight into timed sections can reinforce mistakes and train sloppy reasoning. Instead, use untimed practice to master logical reasoning concepts, perfect your reading strategies, and solidify comprehension. Once accuracy is consistent, gradually layer in timing. A strong LSAT study schedule step here is to start with untimed sets, review every question, and then attempt timed sections in small increments, building both speed and confidence.
LSAT Prep Courses, Live Classes, and Self-Paced Prep
Choosing between LSAT prep courses, live classes, and studying on your own depends on how you like to learn and how much time you have. A prep course can help if you want a set schedule, guidance on reviewing questions, and someone to keep you on track. Live classes work well too, as long as you stay consistent and do your own review. Studying on your own is better if you need flexibility for work or other obligations, like setting your own pace, and can stick to a routine without outside pressure. No matter which option you pick, improving your score comes from practicing, reviewing, and repeating regularly.
Read: LSAT Prep & Study Guide: Best Practices & Free Resources
Final Preparation as the Test Day Approaches
In the last couple of weeks before your LSAT, it’s time to shift your focus. Pay attention to your mistakes. Those are the lessons that really stick. In the final 3–5 days, the goal is to feel confident and calm. Keep your practice light with short timed sets, do quick review sessions, and jot down a one-page reminder with pacing tips, common question patterns, and little tricks that help you stay steady. Think of this as your personal checklist to head into test day feeling prepared, not stressed.
How to Adjust Your Custom Study Plan When Progress Slows
If you feel like your score stops improving, don’t panic. This is normal during LSAT prep. Use your tracker or notes to figure out what’s really causing the problem.
- Are most of your mistakes in one question type?
- Are you losing points because of timing, or because you don’t fully understand the concepts?
- Are you doing enough blind review to spot repeated patterns?
- Or are the same errors happening again because you haven’t looked closely at why they occur
Once you know the real cause, make small, focused changes. You might spend a few days on a single question type, practice more under timed conditions, or break your mistakes down in more detail. The most important thing is to base any adjustments on your actual practice results.
The Bottom Line
The secret to effective and efficient LSAT preparation is to create a personalized study routine based on your baseline score and test date. You may stay on pace and steadily enhance your score by focusing on strategic practice, targeted review, and constant progress tracking, regardless of how long you have to prepare. Make sure your LSAT study plan is consistent and adjustable so you can prevent burnout and stay motivated throughout the process.
Build Your Personalized LSAT Study Plan with Expert Guidance
Your LSAT journey doesn’t have to be one-size-fits-all. The right study plan meets you where you are, targets the score you want, and fits smoothly into your daily life. Working with Leland, you can identify the habits that help and the ones that hurt your progress, so every practice session moves you closer to your goal. Work 1:1 with our expert coaches as you design a study schedule that works for you.
Continue your learning by reading the following:
- LSAT Argumentative Writing: Prompts & Expert Tips
- LSAT Logical Reasoning: Overview, Practice Questions, & Expert Tips
- How Many Times Can You Take the LSAT? (& How Long It's Good For)
- LSAT Flaw Questions: Tips, Practice, & What to Know
- LSAT Reading Comprehension: Tips, Practice, & What to Know
FAQs
How many hours should I be studying for the LSAT?
- Ideally, aim for 10-15 hours per week for 2-3 months leading up to the exam. This amount of time gives you a balanced approach to cover all sections while avoiding burnout.
Is a 147 a bad LSAT score?
- A 147 is below average for most law schools, as it typically falls in the 40th-50th percentile. While it might not be competitive for top schools, it could still allow you to apply to less selective schools or schools with lower score requirements.
How rare is a 170 LSAT?
- Scoring a 170 on the LSAT is quite rare, placing you in the top 3% of test-takers. It's considered a "very high" score, typically competitive for top-tier law schools.
Is 2 months enough to study for the LSAT?
- Yes, 2 months can be sufficient if you're dedicated and study strategically. Focus on understanding your strengths and weaknesses, and prioritize practice and review. Make sure you're doing focused, high-quality studying during that time.
How long do you need to study for the LSAT?
- Most students study for about 2-3 months, dedicating 10-15 hours per week. However, the duration can vary based on how much time you can commit, your familiarity with the test format, and how much prep work is needed.
What LSAT score is a 70%?
- A score in the 70th percentile typically falls around 150-153. This score range indicates that you did better than 70% of test-takers but still have room to improve if aiming for higher-tier schools.
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