Your first session focuses on assessment and strategy. Expect to take a diagnostic practice test or review recent practice tests to identify your baseline score and pinpoint which sections and question types are causing the most trouble. From there, tutors work with you to create a customized study plan that addresses your specific challenges—whether that's time management on logic games, inference questions in reading comp, or building confidence on test day.

Timing issues are one of the most common LSAT challenges, and they're highly fixable with targeted practice. Tutors help you develop section-specific pacing strategies—for example, learning which logic games to tackle first, how long to spend on each reading passage, and when to skip and return to harder questions. The key is practicing under timed conditions repeatedly so pacing becomes automatic, not something you have to think about on test day.

Logic games (analytical reasoning) tends to be the biggest hurdle for Buffalo-area students, but reading comprehension and logical reasoning each present unique challenges. Logic games require learning specific diagram techniques and pattern recognition; reading comp demands active reading and inference skills under time pressure; logical reasoning tests your ability to spot argument flaws quickly. Tutors diagnose which section is holding back your score and focus intensive practice there while maintaining your strengths.

Most students benefit from 2-4 months of focused preparation, though this varies based on your target score and starting point. If you're aiming for a top law school, expect to invest more time. Working with a tutor accelerates your progress by eliminating inefficient study habits and focusing your effort where it matters most. Regular sessions (typically 1-2 per week) combined with consistent independent practice yields the best results.

Practice tests are essential—they're how you build stamina, identify patterns in your mistakes, and get comfortable with the test format and timing. Most tutors recommend taking full, timed practice tests regularly (weekly or bi-weekly) and reviewing them thoroughly to understand not just what you got wrong, but why. This data-driven approach helps tutors and students track progress and adjust strategy as needed, turning practice tests into a learning tool rather than just a measurement.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about the format, unfamiliar question types, or time pressure—all things that tutoring directly addresses. By practicing extensively under timed conditions, you build familiarity and confidence. Tutors also teach test-day strategies like pacing techniques, how to manage difficult sections, and mental approaches to staying calm. Many students find that understanding the test deeply and having a clear strategy significantly reduces anxiety on test day.

Look for tutors with strong LSAT scores (typically 170+), experience teaching the test, and familiarity with law school admissions. Ideally, they've helped multiple students improve their scores and can explain their teaching philosophy clearly. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who understand the nuances of each section and can adapt their teaching to your learning style—whether you need detailed explanations, strategic shortcuts, or confidence building.