LSAT Prep Online

What Is the LSAT?

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a combination multiple-choice and written examination. Its purpose is to assess specific academic and reasoning-based skills in prospective year-one law students. If you fail the LSAT you are permitted up to three retakes within a two-year period, although all your scores stay on record (not just the highest). Admissions offices at laws schools where you apply have access to your test results and use them as part of their acceptance-based decision-making process. Studies comparing the predictive validity of LSAT results to undergraduate grade-point averages (GPAs) repeatedly show how the LSAT provides a fifty-seven percent increase in predictive accuracy pursuant to how a student will perform in year-one of law school. Every American Bar Association (ABA)-accredited law school accepts the LSAT as a primary indicator of student’s proper fit with their institution. This is true even if the school also accepts results from additional types of tests. As a prospective law school student, it is therefore imperative you understand the requirements for taking the LSAT and how to prepare for the test online.           

Requirements for Taking the LSAT

Taking the LSAT first requires you to register by opening a Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) account. The LSAC website provides useful information about testing dates, deadlines (applications and test completions) and score release dates. Requirements for taking the LSAT are perhaps unexpected because most involve equipment, technical specifications and privacy mandates. Candidates are required to take the test in a private room with adequate lighting, while sitting at a desk or table. A desktop or laptop computer is also required, running Mac or Windows operating systems (not Linux) with a minimum of 1024 MB RAM. Your computer must have a working microphone and webcam and connect to a strong, stable Wi-Fi signal. LSAT supports Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox internet browsers, so you will need to download one of those if not already installed on your computer. Finally, the LSAT utilizes proctoring software, which requires you to have all administrative rights to the computer you use for testing.

Top Recommended LSAT Prep Courses (Types and Average costs)

Preparing for the LSAT involves studying for the course material. It also involves technical and equipment-based preparation. All academic and educational preparation could be for naught if you fail to test your equipment in advance and miss your testing deadline. Fortunately, LSAC provides you with testing tools for examining the functionality and compatibility of your system and the LSAT proctoring software in advance. If your system fails or is incompatible with LSAT software requirements it is possible to acquire a loaner device (or additional assistance) by contacting LSAC before the assistance request deadline expires. An official LSAT Assistance Request form is available on the “My Home” webpage of your personal online LSAC account.

Tutors

LSAT tutors are available for prep assistance. Prices range between $25 and $150 per hour. Tutors work either independently or for commercial LSAT tutoring prep companies such as Kaplan, Varsity Tutors and TestMax. Commercial tutoring companies charge between $90 and $125 per hour on average. Conduct thorough research on several tutors before committing to any services, however. Because the availability is so vast and involves a significant mix of private and commercial tutors the quality of the training cannot always be guaranteed. For example, some of the best tutors available might charge low to moderate hourly fees.

In-Person

LSAT tutors are available both in-person and online. Some services specialize in providing either in-person or online courses, while others provide both or hybrid options. Blueprint provides all these options and takes a unique approach to its methodology. To add some respite to the one hundred eighty-eight course hours of intense training Blueprint incorporates improvisational comedy into its learning methods, which also include creative lectures. The Princeton Review and Kaplan are two other LSAT prep course with in-person training options.

Virtual - Online

Virtual online LSAT prep classes are offered by nearly every service provider available today. Companies such as Magoosh provide self-directed virtual courses at affordable prices. No live virtually operated live classes are available through Magoosh but the courses cost only $279 (one-month only) or $299 (for an entire year). Most other top recommended LSAT prep resources provide interactive virtual classes with live instructors.

Top Recommendations

TestMax is considered one of the best LSAT prep courses available, if not the best overall. Prices are tiered based on features provided. The LSAT Max 60 program costs $595 and includes sixty-day access, one tutoring hour, an LSAT Prep Plus Membership and more. The middle program, called the LSATMax 180 ($995) is the most popular TestMax program. Its features are the same as those of the LSAT Max 60, but a higher test score is guaranteed. The LSATMax 365 offers the same test score guarantee as the LSATMax 180, albeit with a one-year access for $1,196.                                                                                     

Blueprint also provides a test score guarantee and is excellent for in-person and virtual courses with live instructors. Online, live-online, and in-classroom training is available with prices ranging from $249 per month to $1,699 for eighty-five actual LSAT exams. The Blueprint Premium Tutoring package costs $9,200 and provides forty hours of one-on-one tutoring plus additional features. Additional top recommended resources for online LSAT practice tests include:

• Manhattan Prep (best for student-centric live, online classes; $700-$1,850)

• 7Sage (best for affordable pricing and interactive student discussion board options; $69 through $599 based on packages and features)

• The Princeton Review (best for improved or increased score guarantee; $799 to $1,399)

Free Resources and Materials Needed

Free online LSAT practice resources are also available online. The Khan Academy and LawHub are recommended by LSAC as the best free prep courses online. Materials needed include:

• Study books

• Blank sheets of paper (five maximum)

• Writing utensil(s) and eraser (mechanical or sleeved disallowed)

• Highlighter

• Valid government-issued photo ID

• Pencil sharpener

• Tissues

• Ear plugs (electronic or corded disallowed)

• Maximum 20oz/591ml-sized beverage (plastic container or juice box only)