A solid time management strategy typically breaks down as: 5 minutes for reading and planning, 20-25 minutes for writing, and 5 minutes for review and editing. Many test-takers struggle with pacing because they spend too much time planning or get caught revising mid-essay. Personalized tutoring can help you develop a rhythm that works for your writing style and practice it repeatedly so it becomes automatic on test day.

Students often choose a position without fully analyzing both sides, write arguments that lack concrete reasoning, or spend excessive time on introductions and conclusions at the expense of developing their main argument. Another frequent issue is failing to address the opposing viewpoint effectively—law schools want to see that you can acknowledge counterarguments and explain why your position is stronger. Working with a tutor helps you identify which mistakes you're making and build habits to avoid them.

While the essay isn't numerically scored, law schools do evaluate the quality of your writing and reasoning. Most students see noticeable improvement within 4-6 weeks of focused practice—better organization, stronger arguments, and clearer writing. The key is practicing with real LSAT prompts and getting detailed feedback on what's working and what isn't, which is where personalized instruction makes a real difference.

Look for tutors who have strong LSAT scores themselves (typically 160+), experience writing persuasive essays, and familiarity with what law schools are looking for in application materials. They should be able to teach you the specific structure and strategy that works for LSAT prompts, not just general essay writing. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who understand the nuances of the LSAT and can provide targeted feedback on your essays.

Most students benefit from writing 1-2 full essays per week during their prep period, with tutoring sessions focused on reviewing and refining your approach. Consistency matters more than volume—writing five essays with detailed feedback is more valuable than rushing through twenty without analysis. Your tutor can help you create a realistic practice schedule that fits your timeline and builds confidence as you approach your test date.

Your multiple-choice score is what law schools primarily use for admissions decisions, so that should be your main focus. However, the essay still matters for your overall application, and strong writing skills support your performance on the logical reasoning sections. Many students benefit from working with a tutor on both areas—the multiple-choice sections for score improvement and the essay for demonstrating your best writing and reasoning abilities.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors for students in Philadelphia who can assess your current writing level, identify your specific challenges, and create a personalized study plan. Your first session typically involves reviewing a practice essay to understand your strengths and areas for improvement, then building a strategy tailored to how you think and write. You can start with a single session to see if the approach works for you, then continue as needed leading up to your test date.