Are you just beginning your LSAT prep journey? If so, glad to have you here. Welcome. And buckle up! Our first stop: the LSAT diagnostic test.
What’s an LSAT Diagnostic?
Quite simply, before doing any studying, you take a full-length LSAT practice exam. (Click here for a free LSAT diagnostic test!) This practice test is an official disclosed (i.e. released by LSAC) past LSAT so you get a good sense of what the real thing will be like.
Wait, What’s the LSAT Again?
The Law School Admissions Test, or LSAT, is the standardized exam law schools use to evaluate and admit student applicants. The test consists of five sections: two Logical Reasoning sections, one Reading Comprehension section, an unscored experimental section, and an unscored Argumentative Writing section.
While it may at first seem daunting, with the right strategy, practice, and dedication, the LSAT is learnable. Think of it as less of an intelligence or aptitude test and more of a skills-based test.
Further Reading
💻 What Is the LSAT? A Beginner’s Guide to the Law School Admission Test
Why Take an LSAT Diagnostic Test?
The diagnostic is important because it helps you set a baseline for future LSAT studying and improvement. It’s kind of like back in the day in phys ed class when you measured your push-ups, sit-and-reach, and mile time. (Boy, are we glad those days are long gone.)
Whether you do “well” or not on your LSAT diagnostic test isn’t the point. In fact, no one does well. The point is simply to set a benchmark, or starting point, for your LSAT prep. It is, after all, a “diagnosis” of your initial strengths/weaknesses, and not a “prognosis” of how things will be for the real LSAT exam.
How Do I Prepare for an LSAT Diagnostic?
That’s the thing – you don’t, really. Ideally, you will take your first practice LSAT test “cold.” In other words, without any studying beforehand. In fact, you don’t really need to know anything about the different LSAT question types, passages, or sections. Reading the instructions before each section will tell you all you need to know.
That being said, let us give you a few pointers that are good to know going in.
- The four sections of the LSAT have a duration of 35 minutes each. Plus, there’s a ten-minute intermission between sections two and three. This means you’re going to need roughly two and a half hours to take your LSAT diagnostic test. Plan ahead and block out that time. Give yourself a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted!
- The LSAT has roughly 100 questions, or about 25 per section. It won’t feel like nearly enough time., However, there’s no penalty for guessing, so don’t skip answering a question! Just do your best.
- The LSAT is scored on a sixty-point scale, from 120 to 180, with the average test-taker scoring around the 152-153 mark. Don’t be surprised if you score well below average, even if you’re traditionally “good” at standardized tests. As previously mentioned, the LSAT is not really an aptitude/ability test. Nearly everyone needs to study to receive a halfway decent result.
- Did we mention you should just do your best? The LSAT can be a mentally grueling exam. There’s a lot of reading, critical thinking, and problem-solving. You will likely feel yourself hitting a mental “wall” at some point in those two-and-a-half hours. Just push through and put your best effort forward.
What To Do After Your LSAT Diagnostic
Okay, so you’ve taken your diagnostic test. It went…about as well as you expected it would. What’s next?
1. Analyze Your Results
If you took your test on the Blueprint LSAT platform, now is a good time to dig into the data. What appear to be your strengths? Weaknesses? What areas of the test cost you the most time and points?
As an LSAT newbie, a lot of this data may be over your head. (What is a Necessary question and what makes it necessary?) That’s okay. You’re building new good habits of analysis and review.

2. Review Your Diagnostic Test Questions

The Blueprint portal also provides explanations for the questions in the diagnostic exam. When reviewing your practice test, spend some time with the questions you missed and review the explanations. You’ll learn a lot about the relevant strategies from this alone!
The LSAT diagnostic is a crucial component of your study plan. If you don’t already have one, your diagnostic results can serve as a foundation for building a well-rounded schedule. This schedule should focus on understanding the LSAT, developing core skills, and dedicating plenty of time to practice.
Don’t Let Your Diagnostic Define You
It’s easy to feel disheartened by a low diagnostic score, but remember, this is just the beginning. Most of our students ultimately see significant improvements simply by coming to class and putting in the work week after week. With consistent practice and the right strategies, it’s not uncommon to improve by 10, 12, or even 15+ points. It just may take more time.
So take your LSAT diagnostic test seriously, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Use it as a tool to guide your studying journey as you set goals and make your study plan. By taking your diagnostic, you’re taking the first step toward conquering the LSAT and opening doors to your dream law school. Embrace the process.
Ready to see your LSAT score increase? Blueprint LSAT students increase their LSAT scores by 15 points on average. Whether you want the flexibility of a Self-Paced Course, prefer to navigate the LSAT with instructors in a Live Course or 170+ Course, or even private LSAT tutoring, we have the study method that fits your learning style.