Common LSAT Mistakes
- Time is most definitely the single greatest enemy on the LSAT. Almost every test-taker runs out of time before finishing at least one section of the exam. In fact, if you don’t work constantly at a somewhat quicker pace than what is comfortable for you, you’re not likely to finish any section! Why does the testing service impose such great time pressure? Well, given enough time, most test-takers can respond correctly to nearly all the questions. Imposing a short time limit is necessary to achieve a wide distribution of test scores.
Develop a sense for your optimal pace — one that results in the greatest number of correct responses. As you take the mini-tests and full-length practice tests in Countdown to the LSAT, learn to get comfortable with a quick pace by adhering strictly to the time limits imposed.
- You can miss quite a few questions and still get a very high score on the LSAT. Resist the temptation to stick with a “tough” question until you’re sure your response is correct. Stubborn, perfectionist tendencies will only defeat you on the LSAT! All questions — difficult ones and easy ones alike — are worth one point each. Let someone else spend an inordinate amount of time on a tough question, while you move on and make sure to answer all the easier ones.
- LSAT questions are not designed to trick you in any way. The testing service takes every precaution to ensure that all questions are clear and unambiguous and that there is one best response to every question. As long as you believe your thinking is fairly clear as you read and consider a question, do not second guess your own judgment as to which response is the correct one. You’ll only waste valuable time by over-analyzing a question.
- LSAT questions are not designed to trick you in any way. The testing service takes every precaution to ensure that all questions are clear and unambiguous and that there is one best response to every question. As long as you believe your thinking is fairly clear as you read and consider a question, do not second guess your own judgment as to which response is the correct one. You’ll only waste valuable time by over-analyzing a question.
