When should you start preparing for the LSAT?
Asked by: Mr. Cicero Schoen | Last update: May 15, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (44 votes)
You should start serious LSAT prep 2-4 months before your test date, aiming for around 250-300 total study hours, but begin familiarizing yourself with the test style in your freshman or sophomore year to build foundational understanding, prioritizing your GPA in earlier college years. A good timeline is to start light in earlier years, then intensify study the summer before or during your junior/senior year, allowing buffer time to retake if needed, notes U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, and Barbri.
What year of college should I study for LSAT?
Leave the LSAT heavy lifting for your junior (or even senior) year, as this is typically the sweet spot to start gearing up for the exam in earnest. This is especially true if you're looking to begin law school immediately after graduating.
How rare is a 172 on the LSAT?
A 172 LSAT score is extremely rare and impressive, placing you in roughly the top 2-3% of test-takers, meaning you outperform about 97-98% of others, making it a very strong score for even the most competitive T14 law schools. While scores in the 170s are common on Reddit, they represent a tiny fraction of all test-takers, with less than 2% scoring 173 or higher, so a 172 is well within the elite range for top law school admissions.
Is 2 months enough to prepare for LSAT?
Yes, 2 months can be enough to study for the LSAT, especially with focused, intense work, but it depends heavily on your starting score, goal score, and available study hours; while many experts recommend 3+ months for significant improvement, a dedicated 2-month plan is often considered a "sweet spot" for busy students to achieve good results without burnout, provided you can commit to 15-20+ hours weekly and incorporate consistent practice tests and review.
Where should I start when studying for the LSAT?
Free resources like Khan Academy's LSAT prep and LSAC's official prep are great starting points. Books like The LSAT Trainer by Mike Kim and the PowerScore Bible series are also excellent for deeper understanding, especially for tricky sections. Try to fit in study sessions of 2--3 hours, several times a week.
Top 4 LSAT Resources for 170+
Is 147 a bad LSAT score?
A 147 LSAT score is considered low (around the 30th percentile) but not necessarily "bad," especially as a diagnostic score, meaning you likely can improve significantly with focused study, but it might be challenging for highly-ranked law schools, requiring flexibility with target schools or retaking the test to reach the average (around 150-153) or higher for better opportunities.
Is 172 a bad LSAT score?
No, a 172 is an excellent LSAT score, placing you in the top 2-3% of test-takers, but it's not a guaranteed ticket to every elite law school, as top-tier schools often see medians around 170-174, meaning many successful applicants score slightly higher. A 172 is fantastic and highly competitive, but it's essential to pair it with a strong GPA and application for schools like Harvard or Yale, where a 172 might be below their median, while it's exceptional for most other top programs.
What was Barack Obama's LSAT score?
Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed to have been very high, likely in the 170-175 range, to gain admission to Harvard Law School with a relatively low undergraduate GPA. Analysts suggest he needed a score in the top percentiles (perhaps 94th-98th) to overcome his lower GPA and secure a spot at the prestigious institution, indicating a strong performance near the perfect 180 score.
Has Kim Kardashian taken the LSAT?
Kim takes the California Bar Exam's “baby bar” without completing a bachelor's degree or taking the LSAT. Kim continues to balance her legal pursuits with media and business ventures, using her platform for criminal justice reform advocacy.
How rare is a 170 LSAT?
A 170 LSAT score is very rare and exceptional, typically placing you in the top 3-5% of test-takers, though this percentage fluctuates slightly and has seen an increase in high scorers recently, making it highly competitive for top law schools. While historically a top-tier score, score inflation means it's now often the minimum needed to be competitive for elite programs, with many more people achieving it due to better prep resources and retakes.
What score did Elle Woods get on her LSAT?
Elle Woods scored a 179 on the LSAT, just one point shy of a perfect 180, after initially scoring a 143 on a practice test, a massive jump that helped her get into Harvard Law School. This near-perfect score, combined with a 4.0 GPA and strong extracurriculars, made her a competitive applicant, though her rapid improvement from a low practice score is often noted as a highlight (and a bit unrealistic) of her journey in Legally Blonde.
Can I get into Harvard law with a 171 LSAT?
Based on recent class data, the median LSAT score for admitted students is 174, with the middle 50% ranging from 171 (25th percentile) to 176 (75th percentile). While a score below 171 is possible with a standout application, aiming for 174 or higher maximizes your chances.
What is the hardest section of the LSAT?
The hardest LSAT sections vary by student, but commonly cited challenges include Logical Reasoning (LR) for its abstract language and nuanced question types (like Parallel Reasoning/Flaw), and Reading Comprehension (RC) due to ingrained reading habits, especially with complex science or legal passages (e.g., Waterbugs, Dworkin). While often feared, Logic Games (LG) (Analytical Reasoning) is generally considered the most learnable and perfectible section, despite tough hybrid or new rule questions.
Which month has the hardest LSAT?
Although individual LSATs may be more difficult, there is not a pattern that shows, for example, September's test is harder than any other. However, there are some benefits to taking a particular LSAT, depending on your preparation and when you are applying to law schools.
How long is LSAT valid for?
An LSAT (or LSAT-Flex) result is reportable for up to five testing years after the testing year in which the score is earned. For information about how many times a test taker may sit for the LSAT, please see Limits on Repeating the LSAT.
Should I take the LSAT in January or February?
College students could find the January LSAT particularly advantageous because they can prep over winter break. Some schools won't accept applications past a certain date in January or early February. If you have to retake your LSAT, you might not make the hard law school deadlines.
How many times did Michelle Obama take the bar exam?
Michelle Obama took the Illinois bar exam twice, failing the first time but passing on her second attempt, a fact she openly discussed in her memoir, Becoming, noting it as a humbling but ultimately insignificant setback. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1991 after this success.
Who's richer, Taylor Swift or Kim Kardashian?
Yes, recent reports from late 2025 indicate that Kim Kardashian has surpassed Taylor Swift in net worth, with Kardashian estimated at around $1.9 billion due to her Skims brand, while Swift was valued at about $1.6 billion, though both are billionaires.
How did Kim lose 16lbs in 3 weeks?
She lost 16 pounds in 3 weeks to fit into her vintage Met Gala gown. How did Kardashian lose weight? She says she cut carbs and ate “just the cleanest veggies and protein.” She also ran on a treadmill and wore a sauna suit twice a day. Kardashian's 3-week weight loss sparked concern over the impact on mental health.
What did Ben Affleck get on his SAT?
Ben Affleck reportedly had a "near-perfect" or "almost perfect" SAT score, rumored to be 1600, on the old 1600-point scale, though the exact score isn't officially confirmed, with sources citing sources like the New York Times on his high aptitude despite poor high school attendance.
What is the #1 ranked law school in the world?
There isn't one single "number one," as rankings vary, but Harvard University, Yale University, and Stanford University consistently appear at the very top globally, often trading #1 spots depending on the ranking system, with Harvard often leading in overall QS rankings and Yale/Stanford in U.S. News & World Report's domestic rankings for U.S. schools. Other top contenders include Oxford, Cambridge, Chicago, and NYU.
Did Michelle Obama finish law school?
Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Born in Chicago and raised on the South Side of the city, Obama is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School. In her early legal career, she worked at the law firm Sidley Austin where she met her future husband.
How did Elle Woods get a 179 on the LSAT?
Elle surrounded herself with numerous LSAT prep books, emphasizing the importance of using real LSAT questions for practice. This approach is essential for understanding complex concepts and patterns unique to the LSAT.
Can you get into Harvard law with a 170 LSAT?
A 170 LSAT score is very strong and puts you at the 25th percentile for Harvard Law (HLS), meaning it's competitive but not a guarantee, as most admitted students score higher (median is around 173-175). While a 170 is good, you'll need an exceptional GPA (around 3.9+) and outstanding essays, work experience, or personal story to be a truly competitive applicant, as HLS uses holistic review.