How to get Faster on the LSAT

"How can I improve my speed on the LSAT?" This is one of the most common questions LSAT students ask. After their first practice test, many realize they simply can’t finish the sections in time. They often say, “If I had more time, I’d score much higher.”

But here’s the truth: most students don’t need more time—they need a better strategy.

Here are 3 powerful LSAT speed tips that will help you finish more questions confidently and accurately:

1. Slow Down to Speed Up

Yes, this sounds counterintuitive. But slowing down your reading can save time overall.

LSAT reading is dense. It demands not just comprehension, but analysis and logical precision. If you read too quickly, you’ll miss key relationships between the conclusion and premises—or you’ll fail to spot the logical flaw.

This leads to the biggest time-waster on the LSAT: debating between two answer choices. If you don’t fully grasp the argument or set of facts, incorrect answers will look attractive. You’ll waste 3+ minutes and often still choose wrong.

Slow down and grasp the structure of the stimulus upfront—identify the conclusion, the reasoning, and any assumptions. Read carefully once, rather than skimming multiple times.

This principle applies to Reading Comprehension too. Carefully understanding the structure of the passage will save you from rereading paragraphs in panic later.

Key takeaway: Read once. Read well. Then move confidently to the answer choices.

2. Hone Your LSAT Fundamentals

Timing issues usually stem from skill deficiencies, not raw speed.

The LSAT rewards test-takers who are deeply familiar with question types, logical patterns, and reading strategies. The fastest scorers aren’t rushing—they’re recognizing patterns instantly.

If you don’t fully understand how to approach each question type, you’ll lose time thinking through every step from scratch.

In my tutoring sessions, I first remove the time pressure and help students build true mastery of the fundamentals—identifying conclusions, spotting assumptions, understanding flaw types, etc.

Once your foundation is strong, timing will improve naturally. Think of it like driving: you don’t learn to go faster by flooring the gas—you learn the turns, the braking points, and how the car handles.

Key takeaway: Build accuracy first, then build speed.

3. Pick the Low-Hanging Fruit

Many students lose time obsessing over one hard question. But every LSAT question is worth the same one point.

Spending 4 minutes on a brutal question (and getting it wrong) isn’t worth skipping 2 easy ones at the end.

Learn to flag and move on when a question feels overly difficult. Don’t let your pride or sunk-cost bias trap you.

Logical Reasoning typically gets harder around questions 16–19—but some of the easiest questions appear in the 20s. By clinging to one tough question early, you risk missing those free points later.

In my tutoring practice, I emphasize the discipline to let go of hard questions and return later if there’s time. Most students who learn to do this see immediate score jumps.

Key takeaway: Win the war, not the battle. Prioritize accuracy over ego.

Final Thoughts: LSAT Speed Comes From Strategy

Improving your LSAT speed doesn’t mean rushing. It means:

• Slowing down to better understand the stimulus

• Mastering the fundamentals so you think less and solve more

• Choosing battles wisely by skipping and returning

Adopt these strategies, and you’ll see your pacing and confidence improve—without guessing or panicking.

About the Author

Jeff Cui is the founder of AoPrep LSAT Tutoring. He provides personalized LSAT coaching for students across Canada and helps them study with efficiency, clarity, and purpose.

Learn more at www.aoprep.com.