Working full-time & Studying for LSAT? Forum

[tortsandtiaras]

Hello all!

I would like to seek advice for those who are in a similar situation as I am. I graduated in May and am working full-time (8am-5pm mon-friday). How possible is it to effectively study for this exam while working full-time?

I plan on studying January-June for the June 2015 exam. Any advice is great (It will be my third time taking if I do not get into schools I want to attend).

Thank you!

[OhBoyOhBortles]

It's certainly possible. I did it during a similar time span. The difficulty is finding a routine that you can stick with. 2 hours a day right after work, and two hours a day before work are what I was doing the final month before the LSAT. Whatever works for you and you can stick to, you can make happen.

[tortsandtiaras]

It's certainly possible. I did it during a similar time span. The difficulty is finding a routine that you can stick with. 2 hours a day right after work, and two hours a day before work are what I was doing the final month before the LSAT. Whatever works for you and you can stick to, you can make happen.

Mind me asking your numbers/what books you used? I am find of desparate as this will be the third time I take the exam...

[hillz]

Lots of us have studied while working full time, so it's definitely possible. I made good use of my mornings, evenings, and weekends. I was lucky because I had built up comp time by working a lot during the summer so I had a few extra hours that I used here and there to leave the office early. My boss and co-workers knew that I was focused on the test and they tried to be respectful of my time after hours.

Make sure you leave some time for you - to exercise, to make healthy meals, etc. Don't overdo it. I think the key to my success was partially that I treated my prep as preparation for a marathon. I tapered the week of the exam.

I used the LG and LR Powerscore Bibles, around 30 PTs total, and the LR and LG Cambridge drill packets. Feel free to PM if you have any other questions.

[musedreverie]

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[HRomanus]

I worked full time during both of my takes. The first time I didn't effectively use my time; the most recent I think I really did. I took the first month or so to study the fundamental skills of LG, which was my weakest section. After that, I focused on drilling and PTing. Block off your weekends for LSAT prep and take PTs solely on those days - it's the best simulation of the actual test and you'll have enough time and energy to focus on the test and review. Use your weekday mornings and evenings for drilling - set aside 1-3 hours between them to drill. I did at least 10 LRs, 2 LGs, and 1 RC passage each weekday.

There's enough time in your week to study successfully, but you have to be efficient and disciplined about using the time.

[ChemEng1642]

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[phillywc]

Also did it. The key is utilizing your days off and keeping mentally strong.

I know some people say drill x hours every day, but that didn't work for me. I took breaks often, and never did back to back heavy study days.

This is just what worked for me, it might not work for everyone else.

[Username123]

Hello all!

I would like to seek advice for those who are in a similar situation as I am. I graduated in May and am working full-time (8am-5pm mon-friday). How possible is it to effectively study for this exam while working full-time?

I plan on studying January-June for the June 2015 exam. Any advice is great (It will be my third time taking if I do not get into schools I want to attend).

Thank you!

When drilling, I made it a point to get out of my apartment and go to Starbucks or wherever to drill. I knew if I were to stay in my apartment while drilling, I might be distracted by just being at home and having the luxury of going to the kitchen, having the Tv a couple feet away.

Also, when you get to the point of taking PTs, you'll see a lot of people in the study group threads take multiple tests a week. Working full time sometimes doesn't allow for that, no matter how dedicated you are. Sometimes I would tell myself that I would take PTs Wednesday night, Saturday and Sunday mornings. But then I would pull a 10 hour work day each on Wednesday Thursday and Friday. Just plan to use your weekends really well and review/drill very thoroughly throughout the week. And also be aware that no matter how dedicated you are, taking a day or two or three may be beneficial to you and your LSAT prep.

[DuncND2013]

Also did it.

I went way too hard for too long the first time, basically studying 6 days a week in some way from late January to June. I was PTing 170+, but was extremely burned out by May, and could barely open a book then. I got a 166. I balanced things out a lot more this time around and got a 172 in September.

My best advice is to a) have a game plan as to what you're studying and b) allow yourself flexibility based on how you're feeling. You need to stay on top of everything, but if you're completely wiped out after work one day, DON'T force yourself to study--you'll hate it, you won't get anything done, and you'll feel even worse. If you're feeling energized, do it after work. But if not, just relax, go to sleep early, and get up early in the morning instead before work.

[HRomanus]

Also, when you get to the point of taking PTs, you'll see a lot of people in the study group threads take multiple tests a week. Working full time sometimes doesn't allow for that, no matter how dedicated you are. Sometimes I would tell myself that I would take PTs Wednesday night, Saturday and Sunday mornings. But then I would pull a 10 hour work day each on Wednesday Thursday and Friday. Just plan to use your weekends really well and review/drill very thoroughly throughout the week. And also be aware that no matter how dedicated you are, taking a day or two or three may be beneficial to you and your LSAT prep.

+1

Use study threads for the motivation, but don't compare yourself to people not working FT. I did several PTs during the week over my study schedule, but they felt wasted. I was tired after work and I couldn't devote enough mental energy to them and I couldn't devote the time or energy to properly review. Jan-June is definitely long enough to PT only on the weekends. When it comes time to PT in your schedule, PT. Don't go out on Friday or Saturday night; go to bed early and wake up for a timely PT (I think June is in the afternoon, but I'd take it in the morning so you can review in the afternoon). I hated it at first, but by the end of my schedule my weekends felt so fulfilling from PTing. After you start hitting your target score, PTing because exciting.

[DuncND2013]

Also, when you get to the point of taking PTs, you'll see a lot of people in the study group threads take multiple tests a week. Working full time sometimes doesn't allow for that, no matter how dedicated you are. Sometimes I would tell myself that I would take PTs Wednesday night, Saturday and Sunday mornings. But then I would pull a 10 hour work day each on Wednesday Thursday and Friday. Just plan to use your weekends really well and review/drill very thoroughly throughout the week. And also be aware that no matter how dedicated you are, taking a day or two or three may be beneficial to you and your LSAT prep.

+1

Use study threads for the motivation, but don't compare yourself to people not working FT. I did several PTs during the week over my study schedule, but they felt wasted. I was tired after work and I couldn't devote enough mental energy to them and I couldn't devote the time or energy to properly review. Jan-June is definitely long enough to PT only on the weekends. When it comes time to PT in your schedule, PT. Don't go out on Friday or Saturday night; go to bed early and wake up for a timely PT (I think June is in the afternoon, but I'd take it in the morning so you can review in the afternoon). I hated it at first, but by the end of my schedule my weekends felt so fulfilling from PTing. After you start hitting your target score, PTing because exciting.

This is 100% true.

[BP Robert]

Very doable:)

I'd recommend -- as tricky as it may be -- trying to squeeze in a half hour before work everyday to keep you honest. Apart from that, looks like you'll have to go hard on the weekends.

Best luck,

Blueprint LSAT Prep

[OhBoyOhBortles]

It's certainly possible. I did it during a similar time span. The difficulty is finding a routine that you can stick with. 2 hours a day right after work, and two hours a day before work are what I was doing the final month before the LSAT. Whatever works for you and you can stick to, you can make happen.

Mind me asking your numbers/what books you used? I am find of desparate as this will be the third time I take the exam...

I used the powerscore books and ended up at 171. Also, the comments about using your days off to your advantage are spot on as well.

[louisv123]

I'm happy to see this post with some good advice. I just got my September test back and was disappointed. I work 3 jobs right now and can't study for 12-ish hours a day. The only time I can do it is weekends, but this time around for December I want to make an effort to do more than I was last time. It's just difficult to get home after a long day and make yourself go to do it (along with wanting to do some stuff for myself like workout). I'm a little nervous about how quickly December is approaching, but hopefully I can kick my score up where it needs to be.

[tortsandtiaras]

I'm happy to see this post with some good advice. I just got my September test back and was disappointed. I work 3 jobs right now and can't study for 12-ish hours a day. The only time I can do it is weekends, but this time around for December I want to make an effort to do more than I was last time. It's just difficult to get home after a long day and make yourself go to do it (along with wanting to do some stuff for myself like workout). I'm a little nervous about how quickly December is approaching, but hopefully I can kick my score up where it needs to be.

good luck, dude let me know how it goes!

I applied this cycle, but if I am unhappy about my school prospects, then I will start studying in january and take the june exam.

[valen]

I studied from the beginning of July up through September for the September lsat while working full time and taking summer classes. It's definitely doable, you'll just be busy.

I did:
5:30-7 AM before work
Took an hour or two break when I got home from work
8-10PM after work
8AM-1 or 2 PM on Saturday and Sunday
I also took the three Fridays leading up to the exam off and feel this was incredibly helpful to squeeze in extra PTs. I did take a couple weekdays off here and there but never a weekend day, they are too valuable.

I used the powerscore bibles (except RC), the lsat trainer (highly recommend!), and a whole bunch of PTs. I was PTing in the 170-175 range in the final month and ended up with a 171. Good luck!

[tennactitans]

3-4 hours a day Mon-Sat for 2.5 months (+5 points). Took last two weeks off before the test and went full immersion (+7 points).

[TLSanders]

Though the time required is a little different for everyone, the majority of students I've worked with over the years (numbering in the hundreds, if not 1000+) have been working full time while preparing for the LSAT--and have done so in 3-4 months rather than the six you've allowed.

Unless you're working a lot of extra hours, have a long commute or a very stressful job (or some similar complication), preparing over that time period while working full time should not present a problem.

[tortsandtiaras]

Though the time required is a little different for everyone, the majority of students I've worked with over the years (numbering in the hundreds, if not 1000+) have been working full time while preparing for the LSAT--and have done so in 3-4 months rather than the six you've allowed.

Unless you're working a lot of extra hours, have a long commute or a very stressful job (or some similar complication), preparing over that time period while working full time should not present a problem.

Thank you! I appreciate the help