If you are serious about law school, then you are in one of two positions right now. Either you have been comfortably studying for the June 8th test date or you are frantically planning to practice day and night for the four grueling hours of the LSAT.



The month of May will be your last four weeks to prepare for the LSAT. Start by learning what the LSAT measures and how to approach each question type. Simply practicing the same questions over and over will only help you improve the questions you already understand. Review LSAT sample questions/guides to learn how to solve each question so that when the particulars change your strategy does not.

Stress, college deadlines, friends and family can all distract law school applicants during these last weeks. The best way to be successful is to create a schedule and Stick to a Clear Plan.

---

Plan to study as much as you practice. A schedule that has 1.5 hours of study time and 1 hour of practice time repeated 3 times a week is a good start. You will need to increase the frequency of your practice as the test date draws nearer.

Week One: Study one section of the LSAT and complete one timed 35 minute practice section.
Total test time 35 minutes.



Week Two: Study a new section of the LSAT, review the previous section. Complete a 35 minute timed test for the Week Two section and the Week One section.
Total test time 70 minutes.



Week Three: Study a new section of the LSAT and review the previous two sections. Complete a 35 minute timed test for the Week Three section and the weeks One and Two sections.
Total test time 105 minutes.



Week Four: Study the section of the LSAT in which you have received the lowest practice score, and complete a sample Writing Section. Complete a 35 minute timed test for the Week Four section, the Writing Sample, and the weeks One, Two, and Three sections.
Total test time 175 minutes.



One last word on study and practice: Evaluate! If you only take a practice LSAT once, you will not have a clear history of success. The LSAT can be affected by your stress and anxiety, restfulness, or concentration and distraction. Build a track record of success by taking the practice test multiple times (at least 3 times). Evaluate your speed in each section, the types of questions you consistently answer correctly and incorrectly, and how often you guess versus knowing the answer.

The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) has a thorough resource website. You can download or purchase practice exams and guides from LSAC, and seek advice from CLEO. You can also watch this LSAT Video for more guidance on how to study.

Also, seek out experts to teach you. You do not need to do this alone. CLEO , Prelaw Advisors, Test Prep organizations, and your classmates can be excellent person-to-person resources.

Being successful on the LSAT is like being successful in all things. Research the measures, prepare and practice the methods, and execute your plan to the best of your ability! And, don't forget to breathe...

As you write your history into your personal statement and imagine your impact on the legal world, take time to look over the horizon at the future of the legal landscape.

Prelaw students are making an investment in the future and they need to know: What will the profession look like when I graduate? What skills learned during law school will I need the most? Will I be the kind of lawyer I am dreaming of today?

Online resources like the ABA JOURNAL and news reports on television will keep you current, but CLEO, can take you to the next level. CLEO Alumni, Associates, and Fellows, who attend the CLEO Scholars Programs across the United States, can be one of your best resources and a critical component of your prelaw preparation. Distinguished CLEO Alumni have become deans and professors, federal and state judges and legislators, and practitioners in all areas of the legal profession.

Asking attorneys about the future of the practice, their day-to-day business, and how well law school prepared them for the real world is invigorating. They are able to share personal and professional stories of challenge and triumph. A good role model or mentor can give you just the touch of inspiration needed to push through the long days of law school.

CLEO wants to help you get started by asking a panel of diverse attorneys about their experiences practicing law and the toughest question of all ...What happens after law school?

Let's start with:









A tip for the student in the Admissions Process: When you research a law school don't stop at the admissions page - check the career services page too. Each law school's career services website will show the types of law and professional sectors in which its students practice. Most law schools will report (by percentage) which sectors its graduates enter. If you want to practice in the business sector and 80% of a school's graduates go into government service, then you might consider a different school.

And, be careful about taking the salary ranges for graduates at face value. Remember that these ranges are approximations and are based on alumni self-reporting. With that cautionary hint, you can find information on the legal profession after law school and the Bar Associations at the LSAC website. Bar Associations can open new sources for personal and professional networking.

Final Note: Many students will enter law school committed to practicing a specific type of law. Later, after studying and participating in legal clinics, they find their true passion and position in the profession. As you look toward the horizon, be sure to keep your options open as you seek your place in the practice.


Edited: 04/07/2009 at 12:07 PM by matthewniziol