How To Write An LSAT Diagnostic

Some people never take a timed LSAT before test day. When they practice logic games, they use a separate sheet of paper and make huge diagrams. They don’t use official score sheets to mark their answers.

On test day, they get a shock, because the actual test is very different from the test they’ve been practicing for.

Some of your practice should be untimed. You need to learn the material without worry about the clock. But you should write at least one full timed LSAT every week or two in the run up to the test.

This gets you used to time pressure, and lets you create a record of your LSAT scores so that you can see whether you are improving.

I proctor diagnostics, and it's really not hard to do it on your own.

###How To Take Timed LSATs

Ok, so you’re determined to do some official practice LSATs. How do you do it? A surprising number of people get at least part of this wrong, so pay attention.

Use Real Tests

This should go without saying. Practice using official tests from the LSAT. Most corporate books use made-up questions, because it costs money to license test questions.

The LSAC is very good about providing practice materials. You can buy a book with LSATs 29-38 or LSATs 52-61 for ~$20 on amazon. I made a list here.

Use Official Score Sheets

On test day, you have to enter your answers into a scoresheet. That takes time. If you don’t use scoresheets, you’re giving yourself an extra 1-2 minutes on each section.

The LSAC books come with official score sheets. Use these to enter your answers.

People often ask if they should fill in answers as they go, or write in everything at the end. My answer: I don’t care. Use whichever style you prefer, it doesn’t make a huge difference. I personally enter answers after each page.

But do use the scoresheets.

If you don't have score sheets, you can find printable LSAT bubble answer sheets here.

Use An Analog Watch

This is the step that most people fail at. You don’t get to bring your iPhone on test day. So why would you practice using it?

On test day, you only get to use an analog watch. They’re less precise, so you have to get used to approximately judging the amount of time you have left.

You can use a digital timer, just don't look at it. For example, have your phone count down 35 and beep when you're done. It's more accurate. But use the watch to check how much time is left - don't check the phone.

I found it pretty simple to set an analog watch to 11:25 − 35 minutes off of 12:00. When the time hit 12:00, the section was over. It takes about 2 seconds to reset once you get used to it.

If you don’t already own an analog watch and need to buy one, you might consider this $20 Coleman watch. The rotating bezel makes it quick to reset.

Experimental Section (Optional)

On test day you’ll write five sections, not four. If stamina is an issue for you, consider adding a fifth section to each of your tests. You can use sections from older tests.

If you really want to make it realistic, you can use a random number generator to decide which section will be the “experimental” section, and which type of section to use. http://www.random.org/

I don't use experimentals, but I have no issue with stamina.

Timing + Break

Do the sections in 35 minutes. That means exactly 35 minutes. No pausing to check answers in the middle. No filling in your answers when the section is done. No taking an extra minute to finish a game. Pencils down at 35. Be strict.

The LSAT has one break, after section three. If you’re doing a real timed test, then you only get one break, after section three. Make it 10-15 minutes.

It can be hard to time yourself without "cheating" by taking longer breaks, adding extra time, etc. Those are luxuries you won't have on test day.

To solve that problem, 7Sage has made a really useful online LSAT proctor you can use. It has the actual instructions read during test day, and follow official timing. Just press play, and let it guide you through the test.

There are also pre-test instructions on the same page. It's useful to try listening to them once before writing a timed test, so you'll know exactly what to expect on test day.

Use a Pencil

Test day is in pencil, not pen. This helps for logic games. Practice using a pencil and a good eraser.

I like Mirado Pencils and Staedtler erasers. I hear the recent Mirado pencils have gotten worse, but the Staedtler erasers are best in class.

Use Only The Paper Provided

This applies mainly to logic games. On test day, you get no scrap paper. Your diagrams have to fit on the page.

This isn’t hard, if you practice making smaller diagrams. Learning to use the page effectively for diagrams is an art in itself. The only way to learn is to start doing it - so throw away all that large scrap paper you’ve been using.

New LSATs provide two pages, but it's still a good idea to get used to limited space.

The Essay

I’m strict on everything else, but not the essay: you can ignore the essay when you practice. It comes at the end, so it won’t affect your stamina on other sections. You should do some work on the essay, but you don’t need to include it in your timed practice tests. It really isn’t that important.

###P.S. A Note About Speed

Some people worry because they can’t do the sections on time. A few points about that:

1. To some extent, as you get better at questions, you’ll need less time to do them. So the time problem solves itself for many people.
2. As you do timed practice tests, you’ll get better at going faster. Timed practice is painful at first, but practice will help.

Usually number 1 is most important. If you’re not going fast enough, it probably means you still need to work on understanding the underlying material. Most people who understand the concepts well have no problem with speed.

So work on comprehension, not speed. Weekly timed practice is all the speed work you need in most cases.

You can measure exactly how much speed is a factor for you by writing timed practice tests and untimed practice tests. Your average difference is score will tell you how much speed hurts you.