Top Law Schools

I'm sure I'm beating a dead horse, so I apologize in advance for inevitably perturbing some frequenters of this site with this simplistic and potentially ignorant thread, but where/what/when/how is the best place to start preparing for the LSAT?

I will be a junior in the Fall so I don't think I'm behind schedule. Or, for that matter, ahead of schedule given I only really know a few anecdotal LSAT stories/haven't done an abundant amount of research. What is a recommended time table? How necessary is it to actually take an LSAT course? Is it smart to take some sort of diagnostic practice test before studying at all to gauge my "natural" ability?

Thank you in advance!

Your time table will likely depend on how much improvement you need. I would recommend a diagnostic test. Make sure it is an official LSAC test. Don't be discouraged if your score is low; you will improve drastically. A poor diagnostic test can be a good motivator. I did not take a prep course, so I can't tell you how helpful they are, but I can tell you that it is by no means necessary to take one. I would say it depends on how disciplined you are and if you have friends to study with.

I was able to improve about 15 points by just taking dozens of practice tests over the course of 15 months and doing some extra logic game practice.

This thread is literally where to start, it's like a giant FAQ plus answers to questions you don't even know you should/need to ask yet:

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 6&t=200917

and also the other sticky thread about prep courses right above it at the top of the index page.