You have 35 minutes to plan, draft, and proofread your essay, which requires disciplined time management. Most test-takers benefit from spending 3-5 minutes planning their argument structure, 20-25 minutes writing, and 5-10 minutes reviewing for clarity and errors. Tutors can help you develop a personalized pacing strategy based on your writing speed and refine it through timed practice essays, so you're not learning this pressure-tested skill on test day.

No—since the essay isn't scored into your overall LSAT score, most test-prep experts recommend prioritizing the scored sections first. However, once you've built a strong foundation in Logic Games, Logical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension, dedicating 2-3 weeks to essay practice is worthwhile. This prevents a weak writing sample from becoming a liability and ensures you're presenting your best self to law schools. Tutors can help you allocate study time strategically so you're not neglecting the essay entirely.

The most frequent issues include: failing to directly address the prompt's criteria, choosing a side without fully developing your reasoning, writing illegibly or too hastily, and not leaving time for proofreading. Many test-takers also overthink the essay, writing more than necessary when clarity and organization matter more than length. Working with a tutor for students in Miami can help you identify your specific tendencies—whether that's rushed writing, weak argument structure, or unclear transitions—and build habits that prevent these mistakes under pressure.

Most test-prep experts recommend completing 10-15 timed practice essays throughout your study period, especially once you've spent 6-8 weeks building your core LSAT skills. This gives you enough reps to develop speed and consistency while identifying patterns in your writing. Writing more than that often yields diminishing returns; quality matters more than quantity. A tutor can review your practice essays, identify what's working and what isn't, and adjust your practice routine to target your specific weak points efficiently.

The essay feels high-stakes because it happens at the end of a grueling test day when you're mentally fatigued, but remember: it's less heavily weighted than your scored sections, and law schools know it's written under pressure. Building confidence comes from practicing under timed conditions repeatedly—when you've written 10+ essays in 35 minutes, the actual test feels familiar rather than scary. Tutors can also help you develop a pre-essay mental routine (similar to what athletes use) to manage test-day jitters and remind you of your preparation.

LSAT essay prompts typically present a decision between two options (often a person choosing between two paths, organizations evaluating two candidates, or someone weighing two proposals) with specific criteria to consider. The prompt gives you facts about each option and asks you to argue for one based on the stated criteria. Since the format is consistent, you can prepare by practicing the same essay structure repeatedly: identify the criteria, analyze how each option meets or fails to meet them, and argue for your choice with clear reasoning. Tutors can help you develop a template that you can adapt to any prompt, reducing the cognitive load on test day.