To do well on the LSAT requires significant preparation. There are many courses and tutors available to assist you with preparing for the exam. The courses can easily cost more than $1000, and the fees for tutors can range from $25 per hour to over $500 per hour.

Despite how good a job some courses and tutors do in preparing people for the LSAT, not everyone can afford these services. If you fall into this category then you will need to be more creative in obtaining the assistance you need to prepare for the LSAT.

The first place to begin is your college or university. They may offer an LSAT course for free or at a price much cheaper than the commercial courses. Some professional organizations, such as a bar association, may also offer LSAT courses. When I was studying for the LSAT, the Puerto Rican Bar Association of New York City offered an LSAT course for a reduced rate.

The Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) is the professional organization with probably the most extensive pre-law resources. CLEO offers programs such as the Sophomore Summer Institute that provides LSAT preparation. CLEO's website is http://cleoscholars.com/all_about_cleo/index.htm .

Also, consider contacting recent LSAT test takers to see if they are interested in getting rid of their course material. For just a fraction of what a course costs you may be able to obtain commercial course material from someone who no longer has use for that information.

Another option is to barter with LSAT tutors for their services. For instance, if you are a massage therapist you may able to trade your massage services for a tutor's LSAT instruction. Placing an ad on www.craigslist.org/ is a good place to advertise for such an exchange.

There are also free LSAT prep books at the public library. Below are websites that provide free LSAT questions, answers, and tips.

http://www.lsac.org/pdfs/2005-2006/LSATsamplequestions2005.pdf
http://www.lsatprepcourse.com/download.htm
http://www.getprepped.com/Get-Prepped-Sample-LSAT.pdf
http://www.lsatcenter.com/lsat-sample.html
http://lsat.microedu.net/lsatpracticetest.htm

For more information about the LSAT, go to the Law School Admission Council's official website: lsac.org .

Other related articles on this website include LSAT Tutors and Pre-Law: Summer Programs.

Good luck on the LSAT!

Michael Santana
michael.santana@lawboost.com

If you have any questions or comments about this article, or want to write your own article about the pre-law or law school process, feel free to contact me.