Students often struggle with time management—organizing a coherent argument in just 35 minutes while also reading the prompt carefully. Many find it difficult to identify the key decision factors in the scenario and present a balanced, logical argument. Others rush through planning and end up with disorganized essays that lack clear structure. Additionally, some students underestimate the importance of the essay since it's unscored, which can hurt their performance when they don't practice it seriously.

Significant improvement is absolutely possible with focused practice and guidance. Most students see noticeable gains in organization, clarity, and argumentation within 4-6 weeks of consistent practice with expert feedback. The key is working through multiple essay prompts with detailed analysis of what makes arguments compelling, learning to structure responses efficiently, and building the confidence to write under pressure. Tutors can identify your specific weaknesses—whether that's time management, logical reasoning, or writing clarity—and target those areas directly.

A typical session starts with reviewing your previous essays to identify patterns in your strengths and weaknesses. Your tutor will then walk you through essay strategy—how to quickly analyze the prompt, organize your argument, and manage your 35 minutes effectively. You'll often practice writing essays under timed conditions, then receive detailed feedback on your reasoning, structure, and clarity. Over time, sessions shift toward independent practice with targeted feedback, helping you internalize the skills and build confidence for test day.

Start by spending 2-3 minutes carefully reading and annotating the prompt to identify the two positions and key decision factors. Spend another 2-3 minutes outlining your argument before writing—this prevents rambling and keeps you organized. Focus on presenting a clear, logical case for one position while acknowledging the strengths of the other side; law schools value balanced reasoning. Finally, leave 2-3 minutes to proofread for clarity and correctness. Practicing these steps repeatedly builds the muscle memory to execute them smoothly under pressure.

Your numerical LSAT score (from the logical reasoning, logic games, and reading comprehension sections) should be your primary focus since it's weighted heavily in admissions decisions. However, don't neglect the essay—it's a real opportunity to demonstrate your writing and reasoning abilities when law schools review your file. Many students benefit from allocating 20-30% of their study time to essay practice once they've built a solid foundation in the scored sections. Balancing both ensures you're competitive on the metrics that matter most while still presenting a strong overall application.

Varsity Tutors connects you with experienced LSAT tutors who specialize in the essay section and understand what law schools are looking for. You can specify your needs—whether you want to focus purely on essays or integrate essay practice with your broader LSAT prep—and get matched with a tutor who fits your goals and schedule. Tutors bring real experience with LSAT prompts, admissions standards, and the specific time pressures you'll face, ensuring your practice translates directly to test day performance.

Most students benefit from completing 15-25 practice essays over their study period, with at least 10-15 done under full timed conditions. This gives you enough repetition to internalize the strategy and build confidence, while also exposing you to the variety of prompts the LSAT uses. Quality matters more than quantity—each essay should be reviewed carefully for what you did well and where you can improve. A tutor can help you prioritize which essays to practice and ensure your practice time is spent efficiently rather than just grinding through prompts without meaningful feedback.