Many students struggle with time management, trying to plan, write, and proofread within 35 minutes while maintaining argument quality. Others find it difficult to choose between the two positions strategically—picking the one you can defend most convincingly rather than your personal preference. Additionally, students often over-complicate their arguments or fail to address counterarguments effectively, which weakens their overall persuasiveness. Personalized tutoring helps you develop a reliable approach to each of these challenges.

Most students see meaningful improvement in essay quality within 4-8 weeks of focused practice, depending on their starting point and study frequency. Consistent practice with feedback is key—writing one essay per week and reviewing it with a tutor helps you identify patterns in your reasoning and writing that need refinement. The goal is to develop a repeatable process you can execute confidently on test day, rather than aiming for perfection in every draft.

Tutoring typically includes analyzing prompt types, practicing argument selection strategies, timed essay writing, and detailed feedback on structure, clarity, and persuasiveness. Tutors help you identify your personal writing patterns—whether you tend to rush, over-explain, or struggle with counterarguments—and develop targeted strategies to address them. You'll also learn how to allocate your 35 minutes effectively across planning, drafting, and review.

A solid approach is to spend 5-7 minutes analyzing the prompt and choosing your position, 20-25 minutes writing your essay, and 3-5 minutes reviewing for clarity and errors. The exact breakdown depends on your writing speed and comfort level, which is why practicing under timed conditions is essential—it helps you find the rhythm that works best for you. Tutors can help you test different timing strategies and refine the one that maximizes both quality and completeness.

Most students benefit from writing 15-25 practice essays over their preparation period, spacing them out to allow time for feedback and reflection between attempts. Quality matters more than quantity—one essay reviewed thoroughly with a tutor is more valuable than five essays written without feedback. For students in Pittsburgh preparing for law school, connecting with a tutor who can provide personalized guidance on each essay helps you focus your practice on areas that need the most work.

Choose the position you can defend most convincingly with specific, logical reasoning—not necessarily the one you personally believe. Consider which option gives you stronger examples, clearer logic, and fewer counterarguments to address. A common mistake is spending too much time deliberating; typically 1-2 minutes is enough to assess both positions and commit to one. Tutors help you develop a quick decision-making framework so you can move confidently into writing.

The best way is to write practice essays and review them against the LSAT's own rubric, looking for patterns in where you lose points—whether it's unclear thesis statements, weak counterargument handling, or rushed conclusions. Tutors can analyze your essays systematically to spot recurring issues you might miss on your own, then create targeted exercises to strengthen those areas. This personalized feedback loop accelerates improvement far more effectively than generic study tips.