2 months enough study time for LSAT? Forum

[Lustrella]

I would like to take the September LSAT so I can apply to law school this year. However, I am working every day from 9am-4pm until August 20th, and from 10am-7pm (at an exhausting job) from August 20th until the test. So I can probably dedicate about 4 hours a day to studying the first month, and 2-3 hours a day the second month. And I would use every weekend to study as much as possible.

Do you guys think that is enough time to master the LSAT before the September test?? Or is that cutting it too close?
I could really use the advice! Thanks!

[jk148706]

Do you have a diagnostic score?

When you say "this year," you do mean the 2014-2015 cycle, right?

[js1663]

For starters it all depends on where you're starting from and where you hope to get too. However ignoring that, someone who actually put in those hours (2-4 hours a day for 2 months) could certainly improve drastically come test time. However, that comes down to your drive and commitment, and if you actually do put the hours in accordingly. There's no question though within 2 months there is a lot of room for improvement, and worst case scenario if you put in the time, September roles around and you're still not ready, at that point you can delay until December and still get applications in on this cycle, and your studying for August and September will still have helped.

[Yeezus]

Depends on your diagnostic. But I think 2 months isn't enough for most people, especially if they've never seen an LSAT question before.

[MistakenGenius]

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[CincinnatusND]

I did about 2 months of study but I put in a lot of time almost every day, at least 5 days a week.

It largely depends on where you start from.

[WestWingWatcher]

I think it's definitely cutting it too close, especially since you won't be studying for very much in this time. I think two months could be hypothetically possible, but you'd have to make the LSAT a full-time job. Trust me, don't take the September test. LSAT mastery just comes with time. Most experts recommend the shortest time you study being three months if you dedicate your life to it. I made a 169 on a my first timed diagnostic (took it completely cold) and I still studied for 6 months (using this forums advice) before I was confident enough to take it. The LSAT is the most important test you will ever take in your life. It is more important than all your years of schooling combined. Don't half-ass it. If you try to cram for it and take it in September, we're going to see you asking about retaking in a few months. If I were you, I'd start studying now for the December exam.

Caveat: If you take a cold diagnostic (timed, the timing is the hardest part of the test) and make a 176 or something, ignore my advice.

I agree in some aspects. I took a cold diagnostic in the beginning of August and scored a 165, did a bit of casual studying throughout the rest of the month, and then more serious studying throughout September, ultimately scoring a 170 when I took the test in October. I think I ended up taking around 7-8 full timed practice tests, as well as going through the PowerScore Logic Games Bible. Perhaps I could have done better if I had studied longer, but I was ultimately very happy with the score I got. It really just depends on what your goals are.

[Louis1127]

What everyone else said: Depends on where you start and where you want to be at.

I'll add this: Don't put yourself on a time frame. Why do it? You don't get a bonus for taking the LSAT early (really you don't, because you can always "sit out" a cycle so even the "well if I apply early I might get a boost" or "all the scholly money might be dried up by the time I take it" arguments are out the window.

[MistakenGenius]

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