A typical approach is to spend 5-7 minutes planning your argument and outline, 20-25 minutes writing your response, and 3-5 minutes reviewing for clarity and errors. The key is avoiding the common trap of spending too much time perfecting your opening paragraph—law schools care more about the strength of your overall argument and organization than polished prose. Practicing with timed essays helps you find your rhythm and build confidence in your pacing.

Many students struggle with thesis clarity—failing to take a clear position on the prompt's central question—or with supporting their arguments with specific, relevant evidence. Others rush into writing without outlining, resulting in disorganized or repetitive essays. Time management is another frequent issue; students either spend too long planning or run out of time before completing their thoughts. Working with a tutor helps you identify your specific weak spots and develop strategies to address them before test day.

Expert tutors can help you master the essay's specific format and expectations, teach you proven argument-construction techniques, and provide targeted feedback on your practice essays. They'll help you develop a writing process that fits within the time constraints and identify patterns in your errors—whether that's weak thesis statements, insufficient evidence, or organizational issues. Regular practice with expert feedback accelerates improvement far more than self-study alone.

Most students benefit from completing 15-25 timed practice essays over their study period, depending on their starting point and target timeline. The goal is to build familiarity with different prompt types and develop muscle memory for your writing process under time pressure. Quality matters more than quantity—each essay should be reviewed for patterns in your strengths and weaknesses, not just completed and forgotten. A tutor can help you select the most valuable essays to practice and provide meaningful feedback on each one.

While the essay is scored separately from your multiple-choice LSAT score, law schools view it as an important indicator of your writing ability. Most students see noticeable improvement in essay organization, clarity, and argument strength within 4-6 weeks of focused preparation. The exact improvement depends on your starting point and effort level, but consistent practice with expert feedback typically results in essays that are more persuasive, better organized, and completed with less time pressure.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in LSAT preparation and understand the specific demands of the essay section. You'll have a personalized 1-on-1 instruction tailored to your strengths and challenges, whether you're just beginning your LSAT prep or refining your essay skills in the final weeks before test day. Contact Varsity Tutors to discuss your goals and get matched with a tutor who fits your needs and schedule.

Your overall LSAT score comes from the multiple-choice sections (Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Logic Games), so those should be your primary focus. However, the essay is still important—law schools review it to assess your writing ability and communication skills, and a weak essay can raise questions about your readiness for law school coursework. The best approach is to develop competence in all sections, with tutoring help ensuring you're not neglecting the essay while you prepare for the scored sections.