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Almost as much fun as a root canalMay 05 '00 Write an essay on this topic.Here are a few of my hard learned tips from taking the LSAT that I would like to pass on to those of you unfortunate enough to be preparing to take it. Before the test: 1) Take a prep course. See my review of Kaplan for one example but by no means the only one. Some people question the wisdom and expense of a prep course but if you put in the time you will improve your score and you will get your money's worth. Also set up a realistic study schedule. 2) Register early so you can get your preferred location. I know people who had to drive an hour away to take the test because the closer locations filled up. 3)Unless you are COMPLETELY familiar with the test site scout it out. Know the route you will need to drive, taking into account traffic if necessary. Find at least 2 possible places to park. And most important, find several restrooms. True story - when I took the LSAT (it was on a Saturday on campus) the closest restroom only had one stall and there was a huge line. So a few of us ran to an adjacent building to use the restroom. We got in the building fine but after we used the restroom WE WERE LOCKED IN THE BUILDING! Thank God a janitor heard us screaming (literally screaming - we were hysterical) and let us out. Not the preferred way to start the second half of the test. 4) Do not study the day before the test. Actually if you schedule yourself well its best to start winding down a few days before. If you don't know it by now its too late. Relax instead. See a movie, order a pizza. Whatever you can do to get in a relaxed frame of mind. Definitely don't break up with your significant other or anything else stressful. 5) Set two alarms and if possible have someone call you to make sure you are awake. Don't oversleep! What to bring to the test: 1) Plenty (way more than you think you need)of number 2 pencils, sharpened. 2) A watch with a second hand. 3) Possible a headset to listen to during break. During the test: 1) Don't try to figure out which section is experimental. Just do your best on all of them. Its a waste of time to worry about it because it is not worth taking the chance that you are wrong. Just do your best on all sections. 2) Circle the answers in your test book. Every five questions or so (every logic game or reading comprehension passage) transfer your answers to the answer grid. This saves time and reduces your chance of a mistake.Leave the last 2 minutes or so to double check and make sure all questions are answered. 3) Don't leave any blank. There is no penalty for wrong answers on the LSAT so make sure you answer all questions even if its a total guess. As you take the test even if you don't know the correct answer, eliminate answers you know to be incorrect which will improve your chance if it comes to guessing. 4) During the break decide if you want to talk to other students. Some people prefer not to talk to anyone else at all. I would strongly recommend NOT talking about the test. Other people may make you nervous or try to get into pointless discussions trying to figure out the experimental section. 5) Do not blow off the essay portion. While there is much debate as to whether admissions counselors even read them it is not advisable to gamble that they do not. It may make a difference in a marginal case. Besides it looks disrespectful to leave it blank or write something obviously not your best. That's it for now! Best of luck! Just be glad the LSAT is probably the last standardized test you will ever have to take.  |
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