Score improvement depends on your starting point and study intensity, but most students see meaningful gains within 4-8 weeks of focused practice. With personalized 1-on-1 instruction, tutors can identify whether your struggles stem from reading speed, comprehension gaps, or question-answering strategy—then target those specific weaknesses. Many students improve by 5-10 scaled points once they understand the test's logic rather than relying on general reading skills.

Effective pacing typically means spending 8-9 minutes per passage, including time to read and answer all questions for that passage. Many students rush through reading and waste time re-reading later; instead, active reading (annotating main ideas, author's tone, passage structure) during the first read saves time on questions. Tutors can help you practice this rhythm with actual LSAT passages and show you which passages to tackle first based on your strengths.

The most common question types test main idea/purpose, specific detail comprehension, inference, tone/attitude, and function of a phrase or argument. Each type requires a different approach: main idea questions reward big-picture understanding, while detail questions need precise passage reference. Understanding which type you're answering helps you avoid common traps like choosing answers that are true but don't answer the specific question being asked.

Practice tests are essential—they're the only way to build stamina for the full section and identify patterns in your mistakes. Taking full, timed sections reveals whether you're missing questions due to comprehension, pacing, or strategy issues. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who use real LSAT passages to diagnose your weak areas and create a targeted study plan, rather than having you practice blindly.

Look for tutors with proven LSAT experience, ideally with high scores themselves and a track record helping students improve. They should teach you the test's logic and question patterns, not just general reading comprehension skills. When you connect with a tutor through Varsity Tutors, you can discuss their approach to identifying your specific challenges—whether that's passage comprehension, time management, or recognizing question traps.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or uncertain about your approach. Regular practice with timed sections builds confidence, and understanding the predictable patterns in LSAT questions reduces the feeling of uncertainty. Personalized tutoring helps you develop a reliable strategy you trust, which significantly reduces anxiety on test day—you'll know exactly how to approach each passage and question type.

Your first session typically involves assessing your current skills through a diagnostic passage or practice section to identify where you're losing points. The tutor will ask about your target score, timeline, and any specific challenges you've noticed. From there, they'll create a personalized study plan focused on your weaknesses—whether that's reading speed, comprehension, question strategy, or test anxiety.