While the essay isn't scored numerically like the multiple-choice sections, law schools do review it carefully. Admissions committees use it to assess your communication skills, reasoning ability, and how you handle pressure—qualities essential for law practice. A strong essay can support your overall application, while a weak one may raise concerns about your writing abilities.

That said, your LSAT score (based on the multiple-choice sections) carries more weight in rankings. However, law schools will absolutely read your essay, so putting genuine effort into it matters, especially if your application is otherwise borderline or if you're applying to competitive programs.

A solid timing strategy typically breaks down like this: spend 2-3 minutes reading the prompt carefully and identifying the criteria you need to address, 5-7 minutes outlining your argument and choosing a position, 20-22 minutes writing your response, and 3-5 minutes reviewing and editing. The key is resisting the urge to start writing immediately—understanding the prompt completely upfront prevents wasted time and unclear arguments.

Practice with a timer is essential. Many students discover they either rush their outline (leading to disorganized essays) or spend too long planning and run out of time for polished writing. Finding your optimal rhythm requires repeated timed practice so the process becomes automatic on test day.

The biggest mistakes include: choosing a position but not committing to it fully, failing to address all the criteria mentioned in the prompt, writing in an overly casual or conversational tone, and spending so much time on perfect grammar that the argument becomes incomplete or rushed. Students sometimes also misunderstand what counts as a "reason"—vague statements like "it's better" need specific evidence tied to the criteria given.

Another frequent issue is not actually comparing the two options using the provided criteria. Law schools want to see that you've weighed both sides thoughtfully before making your choice. For students in Washington, DC, where many are targeting competitive law schools, practice essays reviewed by tutors experienced in LSAT writing can help you identify and correct these patterns before test day.

Most students benefit from writing 8-15 practice essays over their study period, completing at least 3-4 under strict timed conditions. Early practice (untimed) helps you understand the prompt format and develop your reasoning process, while later practice should mirror actual test conditions. This allows you to build the muscle memory and confidence needed to perform when it counts.

Beyond volume, the quality of feedback matters significantly. Having someone review your practice essays—noting where your logic breaks down, where you've addressed the criteria, and where your argument could be stronger—accelerates improvement far more than writing essays in a vacuum. Varsity Tutors connects students in Washington with tutors experienced in LSAT Essay writing who can pinpoint weaknesses and help you refine your approach quickly.

Yes, the Essay Section requires a distinctly different skill set and preparation approach. While multiple-choice sections test your ability to identify flaws and analyze arguments quickly, the essay tests your ability to construct and communicate an argument under pressure. Multiple-choice prep focuses on pattern recognition and elimination strategies, whereas essay prep emphasizes organization, clarity, and logical reasoning.

Many students neglect essay practice because they can improve multiple-choice scores more dramatically through logic games and reading comprehension drills. However, law schools expect polished writing, and starting essay prep late often results in rushed, underdeveloped responses. A balanced study plan dedicates meaningful time to both—typically increasing essay work in the final 4-6 weeks before your test date.

Personalized 1-on-1 instruction for the essay section provides several critical advantages: a tutor can review your practice essays with a trained eye, identifying patterns in your reasoning, organization, and clarity that you might not catch alone. They can also provide immediate feedback on whether you're addressing all criteria, structuring arguments effectively, and writing at appropriate speed and depth.

Additionally, tutors help you develop a personalized time management strategy tailored to your natural writing pace, teach you how to quickly analyze complex prompts, and build confidence through repeated practice with expert guidance. For students in Washington, DC competing for admission to top law schools, working with a tutor experienced in LSAT essay preparation can be the difference between a middling essay and one that strengthens your overall application.