Is it better to self study for LSAT?

Asked by: Curtis Kihn  |  Last update: October 6, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (72 votes)

While there are many options for private tutoring and prep courses that focus on the LSAT, many students often opt for self-study. Since formal LSAT courses and tutors often cost a pretty penny, on top of costs for study guides and other resources, self-study comes to students as the most accessible option for most.

Is it possible to self study for the LSAT?

Indeed, many test takers do very well without taking a commercial LSAT prep course. Many test takers achieve success simply through self-study, designing their own study schedule based around practicing using published PrepTests.

Is it worth paying for a LSAT prep course?

Yes. A prep class provides at least several benefits. For example, when I took the LSAT, scoring was based on a point for right answers, minus 1/4 point for wrong answers (with 5 possible answers per question). That meant that it was advantageous ...

Which LSAT month is the hardest?

There isn't one specific month that is the easiest or hardest to write the LSAT, and if there was, it would change each year since the students writing the LSAT change each year! The hardest test will be the one you haven't fully prepared for, regardless of the month!

How long should you give yourself to study for the LSAT?

For most students, a three-month period of preparation (of approximately 20 hours per week) is a great goal. This is, of course, an estimate; most students are not all students. To find out how much LSAT prep time you're likely to need, we recommend taking a practice LSAT to get a baseline score.

LSAT study vlog in nyc (two months of prep + score reveal)

45 related questions found

Can I get a 170 on the LSAT in 2 months?

A 170 will be difficult to obtain. It will require quality resources and substantial preparation. You should dedicate at least four months to reach this target. For the best LSAT support, consider teaming up with a 99th percentile tutor who can help you increase your score by 12 points!

How hard is it to get 173 on LSAT?

What Does A 173-180 LSAT Score Mean? First off, if you're in this score range, congratulations: you're officially above the mean, median, and mode (you're welcome, stats fans). In fact, you're besting 99.4 to 99.9 percent of your peers – not bad at all.

How hard is it to get a 172 on the LSAT?

So, a great score on the LSAT is a 172, but more than 100,000 people take the LSAT every year and only 1% score 172 or higher. For the top 50 law schools, the median LSAT score is between 164 and 174. A good LSAT score for top tier(defined by T14 schools for this article) law schools is between 171 and 174.

Is the LSAT going away in 2025?

The ABA's House of Delegates will vote on the Council's proposed change in February 2023. If the House votes to nix Standard 503, the standardized-test requirement won't go away until 2025. So, the LSAT isn't definitely going away, and it's definitely not going away until 2025.

What is the most difficult part of LSAT?

Analytical Reasoning (Logic Games)

This may not seem like a lot, but with a 35-minute time limit, students will only have about eight and a half minutes to complete each individual “logic game.” These “logic games” are one of if not the most notorious sections of the LSAT because they are meant to trick the test-taker.

What is a good LSAT score with no prep?

You can expect to score between 145 and 153 when taking the LSAT without studying. This would generally fall within the 26th to 53rd percentile. Your individual score will vary depending on your familiarity with aptitude, logical, and reading comprehension tests.

How much do people spend on LSAT prep?

The LSAT prep cost can range from a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars. Evaluate your resources, study habits, and where you're starting from score-wise to determine the investment that makes the most sense for you.

Does LSAT writing actually matter?

Is LSAT Writing used in law school admissions? Not really. There's a chance that your LSAT essay just may go totally unread. LSAT writing samples are rarely used to evaluate law school candidates, so no matter how well or poorly you did, this exercise will most likely not affect your admissions chances.

Can you pass the LSAT without going to law school?

There are no prerequisites or specific educational backgrounds required to take the exam. Whether you are a current college student, a recent graduate, or a professional considering a career change, you are eligible to take the LSAT.

How can I prepare for LSAT at home?

The best place to start is with LSAC.org since LSAC is the maker of the test. For an overview of the test visit About the LSAT. After you have read the overview, review the sample questions with explanations at LSAC's Types of LSAT Questions. Free practice exams are available for free from LSAC here.

What LSAT book is the best to study?

Most Comprehensive LSAT Prep Books
  1. Manhattan Prep's LSAT Strategy Guide Set. Link: www.amazon.com. ...
  2. 33 Common LSAT Flaws. Link: www.amazon.com. ...
  3. Kaplan's LSAT Prep Plus 2020 — 2021. Link: www.amazon.com. ...
  4. The Princeton Review's Cracking the LSAT Premium. Link: www.amazon.com. ...
  5. PowerScore LSAT Bible Trilogy: 2020 Edition.

Is a 170 LSAT attainable?

170 score: Scoring a 170 on the LSAT is almost always considered a good score — that means you are in the 2-3% of test-takers. Still, it won't guarantee you admission at a top law school. Other parts of your application are still a factor.

Did Harvard get rid of LSAT?

Harvard Law School accepts either the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). We do not have a preference for either exam. Similarly, a candidate is not considered more committed by taking both exams or disadvantaged by taking the same exam multiple times.

Has the LSAT gotten harder over time?

Short answer: No. The only difference across practice tests over time is that early Logic Games are harder, so if anything, the LSAT has gotten easier.

What was Obama's LSAT score?

The easiest to predict, by far, is Barack Obama's score, mostly because we have some data. Based on admissions records, we can deduce — somewhat reliably — that Barry-O scored between the 94th and 98th percentile on his LSAT. Using today's grading system, that would place him somewhere around a 170.

How bad is a 139 LSAT score?

The below table shows the schools that accept the lowest LSAT scores. This shows that the lowest acceptable LSAT score is 139. Typically, a good rule of thumb is that you want to at least break 140 to make taking on the cost of law school economically feasible. You can get into a law school with a 140 LSAT score.

How rare is a 175 LSAT?

For a top five law school, an LSAT score of 175 and above increases your chances of being admitted and being awarded a full scholarship by the school. Such a score also puts you in the 99th percentile of LSAT takers, making you a rare and highly coveted law school candidate.

How rare is a 180 LSAT?

How Hard Is It To Get A Perfect Score On The LSAT? According to LSAC, only 119 test-takers out of nearly 60,000 achieved this in 2022. So when you ask, “How many people get a 180 on the LSAT?” the answer highlights the rarity and difficulty of this achievement.

What did Elle Woods get on her LSAT?

Elle Woods, a fictional character portrayed by Reese Witherspoon in the movie Legally Blonde, is known for her remarkable LSAT score—179 out of 180. Portrayed as a stereotypical "valley girl," she embarks on a journey to Harvard Law School in the movie that has since become a cult favorite.

What is a bad LSAT score?

While you may be able to apply and even be accepted into a law school with a lower LSAT score, there is a cut-off for acceptable application scores. If you are consistently scoring lower than 145, you may need to consider significant studying and a retake before applying to law schools.