Most test-takers benefit from spending 3-5 minutes reading and analyzing the prompt, 20-25 minutes writing, and 5-10 minutes reviewing for clarity and errors. The essay isn't graded on length—a focused, well-organized 2-3 page response is typically more effective than rambling longer. Practicing timed essays regularly helps you develop a sustainable pace and avoid the common pitfall of spending too much time planning at the expense of actual writing time.

The biggest challenge is understanding the prompt structure—test-takers often misinterpret what the two perspectives represent or fail to clearly explain their choice. Other frequent issues include unclear thesis statements, weak supporting examples, poor organization that makes arguments hard to follow, and focusing too heavily on one perspective while neglecting the other. Spending time upfront to carefully parse the prompt and outline your position before writing prevents many of these errors.

Many students prepare for the essay by practicing 5-10 full timed essays over their study period, which builds both comfort with the format and automatic writing habits. It's also valuable to write practice essays, then review them for logic, clarity, and argument strength—many students benefit from feedback on whether their reasoning actually supports their choice. While the essay deserves focused attention, most students prioritize the scored sections (logical reasoning, reading comprehension, and logic games) since those determine your final score.

No—your scaled LSAT score (determined by logical reasoning, reading comprehension, and logic games) is the primary factor in law school admissions. Start with a diagnostic practice test to identify your weakest areas, then allocate your study time accordingly. Most students benefit from spending 70-80% of their LSAT prep on the scored sections and 20-30% on the essay. However, don't skip essay practice entirely—law schools do review writing samples, and a polished essay supports your overall application.

Varsity Tutors connects Los Angeles students with tutors who specialize in LSAT essay instruction. A personalized tutor can analyze your practice essays, identify patterns in your reasoning or writing clarity, and give targeted feedback on your specific weaknesses—whether that's thesis clarity, argument organization, or time management under pressure. Tutors help you develop a consistent approach that maximizes your performance in the 35-minute window.

Most students see meaningful improvement in essay quality—clearer arguments, better organization, stronger thesis statements—within 4-8 weeks of focused practice and feedback. The essay section rewards consistency and clarity more than brilliance, so incremental improvement from practice essays and review tends to compound quickly. Working with a tutor accelerates this process by providing expert feedback on each attempt rather than relying on self-assessment alone.