Positive Takeaways from the LSAT
Though the LSAT is often lamented–perhaps justifiably so — I am here to tell you that it is not all bad. No, really!
Disclaimer: This is not an attempt to downplay the significance or the inherent difficulty of the test: the LSAT is challenging and is granted considerable weight in admissions to English common law programs in Canada. Moreover, this is not an endorsement of the LSAT as a metric for law school success. Finally, I would like to note that there are many accounts of students who excelled in law school despite not scoring high on the LSAT.
If you have already decided to take the LSAT, I believe that it can only benefit you to be aware of some of the positive aspects of the test. Or, at the very least, to have been presented an optimistic account of some of the test’s components.
Being conscious of the tangible benefits of undertaking the LSAT and maintaining an optimistic outlook can provide reassurance and help cope with the stress associated with the test. This view is supported by research indicating that those with optimistic outlooks have better-coping skills when confronted with stressors and setbacks (heartandstroke.ca). Additionally, and more encouragingly, one can experience improved optimism through self-training (heartandstroke.ca).
Viewing this process from a glass-half-full perspective allows you to appreciate the ride better, rather than wait anxiously for its end. I know first-hand how easy it can be to dwell on the negatives and lose sight of the forest from the trees during the study process. So, whether you’re just embarking on your LSAT journey or whether you’re in the midst of it, I would encourage you to take a moment to consider the following aspects of the test that I found beneficial.
Challenge
The LSAT is a difficult test for the vast majority of those that write it because of its design. However, not only is difficulty not inherently negative, but there are many instances in our lives where it is exactly what we need or even crave.
A life free from obstacles may sound unappealing for the prospective law student, who tends to be an individual focused on growth. However, growth necessitates a certain level of challenge being undertaken by an individual. So whether it’s the decision to take on a presentation at work, to learn a new language, or to run your first 5k, you’re deciding that you would like to invite difficulty into your life for the sake of personal advancement.
Whether or not you finish that initial 5k, master that language quickly, or crush that presentation is beside the point here. You challenged yourself and put yourself in a position where failure was a possibility; it takes courage and is a commendable feat. Consistently exposing yourself to these situations builds resilience and reduces your aversion to failure. This is truly powerful because over time, you’ll find yourself taking on many new challenges, some of which are bound to be successes.
This mindset has driven the great innovators of humanity, from renowned mathematicians to successful entrepreneurs. Albert Einstein puts it well, “in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity”. Without an appetite for difficulty and the perception of failure as an opportunity for learning and growth, we would not have come this far as a species.
Though often fixated on the result of my studies, this realization did afford me comfort during the most trying times of my LSAT journey. This is because I knew that I had chosen the path of growth. Irrespective of the outcome of the exam, I was proud that I had put myself out there and that I was building characteristics that would set the foundation for success wherever I may have ended up.
The Expansion of Knowledge
Another positive to consider is that you simply cannot study for this test without learning something new about the world — the reading comprehension section alone makes certain of this.
The RC section of the LSAT draws its content largely from a wide range of disciplines: law, science, economics and other social sciences, the arts and humanities. As someone with a background in the social sciences and humanities, I quickly found myself being exposed to areas of study that I would likely have never delved into if not for the LSAT.
There have been numerous instances since I wrote the test where I’ve been able to contribute to a conversation with some piece of knowledge accrued during my reading of LSAT passages. Moreover, there has likely been an even greater number of instances where I could draw upon some piece of knowledge gained from auxiliary study materials.
To improve my understanding of RC pure science passages, I started regularly consuming articles from sciencenews.org (a phenomenal science-focused journalism site) and religiously listening to The Skeptics Guide to the Universe (an excellent critical thinking and science-based podcast). These resources did not just bolster my knowledge of science and improve my RC performance; they were entertaining as well! I genuinely looked forward to consuming those articles and podcasts, and they often served as a much-needed break from more intensive LSAT studying.
Conclusion
The LSAT can be a daunting endeavour and I commend those who decide to write it for their courage and commitment. However, despite the frustrations the LSAT can present, there are positives to be gleaned from the experience. Chief among those positives are personal growth and continued learning, which are both important determinants for success. Finally, confronting this test from an optimist’s point of view would likely improve any test taker’s experience as it allows you to appreciate the bigger picture and handle the setbacks that occur along your LSAT journey.
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