Wondering which LSAT to take? Jon Denning, a Senior Instructor/Course Developer at PowerScore, has conveniently stopped by with some pros and cons of taking the Fall LSAT.
Leave your questions below and he’ll answer them!
The Fall LSAT, administered near the beginning of the application cycle, is by far the most popular test of the year. Part of this popularity is due to the many college students who spend their summer free time preparing and then take the LSAT as classes resume.
Concurrently, other test takers view the Fall LSAT as the “official” start of the application process, and find it appealing as a result.
Regardless, the most important consideration for all test takers is that they allow for plenty of preparation time, as taking a test as challenging as the LSAT without adequate prep will almost certainly end in disappointment.
Pros and Cons of Taking the Fall LSAT
Here are the major pros and cons of the Fall LSAT:
- PRO: Taking the September/October LSAT allows you to spend the summer preparing for it, which means that you probably don’t have to juggle studying and school at the same time (although you may have to balance studying and a job).
- PRO: If you take this LSAT and don’t do as well as you’d hoped, you still have the December LSAT as a fall back option. But, CON: The December LSAT will be your last chance to avoid submitting your apps either right at application deadlines, or, for many schools, after those deadlines have passed.
- CON: As mentioned above, this is the most popular test of the year, which means that testing centers fill up fast and usually well ahead of the registration deadline. If you decide to take this LSAT, make sure to sign up early!
- CON: If you’re committed to submitting your applications as early in the cycle as possible, prepare to wait at least an extra month, since scores aren’t available until mid-to-late October.
If you’ve reviewed the pros and cons of the Fall LSAT and decided that it’s the most desirable option, then it’s time to craft a study plan that will get you adequately prepared. Again, summer is a popular time to study for the LSAT so there are typically many LSAT preparation classes available during the summer months. Whether you decide on an in-person classroom experience, or opt for an online option, PowerScore offers several class options to suit your unique needs.
Factors to Consider When Planning Your Study Schedule
Choosing exactly which course to take requires some planning and deliberation, so here are a few things to consider moving forward:
- Have you made any travel plans yet? If not, make them before you decide on which class to take, and try to then choose an accommodating class schedule. Missing a lesson or two isn’t the end of the world—that’s why we have comprehensive virtual recaps of every lesson on the Online Student Center—but you want to minimize that eventuality as much as you can.
- Are you returning to school in the fall? If so, many students prefer an in-person Full-Length class that ends before their next semester begins, especially if travel is involved. Alternatively, check to see if we offer classes close to your campus. If we do, you might be able to enroll in a later class near your school, or even transfer mid-course (just call our Home Office to discuss: 1-800-545-1750).
- Will you be traveling for work? If your job requires a significant amount of traveling, or has an unpredictable schedule, consider a Live Online course. We have over a dozen online courses every summer with a wide variety of schedules, all available worldwide, so there should be several that are convenient. What’s more, every live online lesson is recorded and archived, giving you the ability to review every minute of class time!
- Is your daytime schedule flexible? If you won’t be working full-time during the summer, or work evenings only, consider a daytime class, such as our Summer 13 Course. Daytime classes tend to be smaller in size, which many students find to be a plus as it allows for even more personalized attention. Also, learning the intricacies of conditional reasoning or Grouping games is easier at noon than at 10 PM.
- Is your day job extremely demanding? If you work in an industry where 80-hour workweeks are common (welcome to the world of lawyers!), consider a class that begins early in the summer, and meets only once per week, such as our Summer 5 course. Note that a Full-Length course (in-person or online) requires a significant time commitment—usually at least 15-20 hours/week, inclusive of homework and practice tests. So, whichever class you choose, ensure you have enough time to devote to the experience, both in class and out of it.
- Finally, should you start early or wait until August? There’s no perfect answer, and the most important factor is taking a class when you have adequate time to commit to it, but when in doubt starting early tends to be the safer bet. It is often difficult to predict just how long it will take for you to reach your full potential, so giving yourself as much time as possible is generally a wise decision. What’s more, you can use the extra time after your course ends to continue to review and take additional practice tests, since Fall LSAT students have access to all of their course resources until the December exam.
You can find listings of all of our upcoming courses on PowerScore’s LSAT site. If you need more background information about the LSAT or want to find a good starting point for your LSAT studies, check out our Free LSAT Help Area. Finally, if you still cannot decide which class is best for you, call us at 1-800-545-1750 or send us an email! We are always here to help.
Until then, best of luck on your LSAT journey!
— – —
Thanks, Jon!
Struggling to figure out what LSAT to take? Leave your questions in the comments and we’ll get you answers.
Read On:
For more useful LSAT advice, check out Acing the LSAT: Prep Options.
And you might like these posts:
- The 5 Biggest (Avoidable) LSAT Mistakes
- Last Minute Tips for Acing the LSAT
- 5 Critical Things To Know Before You Take the LSAT
Best of luck! Once you finish the LSAT and are ready to apply, bookmark: Applying to Law School 101. And you probably want to join our mailing list, for lots of great law school material — sent right to your inbox!
Concerned about your law school grades? Get the feedback and support you need to succeed.
Check out our law school tutoring options at the Law School Toolbox.
Get started, and ensure you’re spending your time wisely!
Got a question? Drop us a line. We’re here to help!
Speak Your Mind