Many people give up on the LSAT, thinking they aren't "smart" enough. But I know "smart" people who do not do well on this exam, and I have students who initially questioned their intelligence only to realize this test can be conquered.
Don't worry about how smart you are when it comes to the LSAT. The LSAT tests skills more than intelligence. And if you focus too much on intelligence, it doesn't become a reason for why you didn't succeed. It becomes an excuse.
It is FAR more important to focus on how you are thinking about the LSAT. Here are some traits that have helped myself and many students improve 15+ points on this test.
Trait #1: Patience
The LSAT is a skill based exam, so trying to do well on the LSAT overnight is like trying to become a good basketball player overnight--it ain't happening.
Go into the LSAT with that expectation. Don't be surprised if your LSAT prep takes longer than a couple months. Go at the pace that is suited for you. Some people are faster learners than others and everyone has a different starting point. Just because your buddy got a 170 after a few weeks of studying doesn't mean the same will apply to you.
Are there certain things you can do to speed up the process? Absolutely. But as counterintuitive as this may sound, the way to improve more quickly on the LSAT is to take your time. The problem with trying to cram LSAT concepts down your throat in a few weeks is it can actually slow you down, not speed you up. Here's why...
If you try to learn a bunch of concepts in a short period of time, you are more likely to rush your learning process and move on to a new concept when you haven't mastered the fundamentals. But many LSAT concepts are related to each other, so it becomes harder for you to learn other subjects. Then you realize later on that there were gaps in your knowledge, so you end up having to start over your LSAT prep from scratch. Rinse and repeat.
Please don't be one of these people. And if you have been doing this already, it's okay as long as you make a firm decision to change how you are approaching the LSAT.
Trait #2: Resilient
The LSAT is fairly simple, but it certainly is not always going to be easy. There are concepts that will require a ton of repetition, and even after several attempts, certain concepts may still be confusing.
When this happens, I often see students give up and try to move onto the next LSAT concept to build up their broken confidence. As a result, they will try to find shortcuts around particular concepts, such as conditional reasoning.
Unfortunately, the LSAC is just too smart for that. They have set up traps at every turn for individuals who don't have a solid understanding. Don't fall for their tricks. Be resilient with those tough concepts and reach out to a friend or expert when things don't make sense. You don't have to beat the LSAT alone.
Trait #3: Curious/Perfectionist
Curiosity is important because it makes the LSAT interesting. It becomes not just a chore, it becomes a puzzle you want to solve. And of course, the more interested you are the more work you will put into the LSAT.
If you get a question right and move on, there is nothing you learned and hence there is no improvement. The people who improve drastically on the LSAT are those who scour every question, even the ones they got right. They want to squeeze out every lesson they can from each question so that they can apply it to the next.
Always check each question, at least in the very beginning. You may be surprised by how many times you got the answer correct by pure luck, or how many times you get it wrong the second time around. And if we are getting LSAT questions wrong that we have already seen before, how do we expect to improve on brand new questions?
Also, maybe you got it right but you're not 100% certain why. You should reach a level of confidence where you are able to explain not only why each answer choice is right or wrong, but also the specific process that would get you there with no hesitation.
Trait #4: Consistency
We all have life happen to us. We all have unforeseen situations that make it harder for us to study for the LSAT. But the ones who are successful with the LSAT are the ones who make time regardless of the circumstance and prepare in advance for these unforeseen situations.
You cannot control what happens to you, but you can always control your reaction. I hear people throw around "I can't study" very liberally. They say they can't study for the LSAT because they were too tired, or because they got home late. But when you really want something and you plan for it, you will be surprised with what you are able to accomplish.
Am I saying you need to be studying for the LSAT consistently 8 hours every day? Absolutely not. But I am saying you pretty much always have enough time to squeeze in a question or two. And one or two questions is always better than zero. Don't become a victim to your environment. You don't need to be 100% absorbed in the LSAT to succeed. In fact, taking breaks is beneficial. But it is very important that you consistently put in some type of LSAT work. I would rather have someone study 1 hour every day as opposed to studying for the LSAT 10 hours over the weekend and not study at all during the week.
Trait #5: Growth Mindset
The LSAT score you have now is not the same as the score you will end up with. But you must believe that. If you don't, you will not have the motivation to put in the work. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy.
You don't have to believe you are smart. You just need to believe you have potential to improve on the LSAT, because you do! When in doubt, remind yourself of the hundreds of people who started off with very low scores and saw dramatic improvements.
There is no reason why you cannot be one of those people, but you must be willing to put in the work.
Stay Motivated!
Sincerely,
Impetus LSAT
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