What is the Best Way to Review LSAT Practice Tests?

On the PowerScore LSAT Discussion Forum, there have been discussions about how to best review practice LSATs and homework problems. Students often make a critical error when studying. I want to address that and lay down a framework for optimally reviewing the problems you complete. This will help you get the most out of the time that you spend studying.

What is the Critical Study Error Many Students are Making?

Most students review the questions they missed and not the ones they answered correctly. This is the most natural error in the world, but you must review every single question you complete in order to get maximum value from the time you spend studying. As I have discussed, you can’t get all of the information contained in a question by looking at it once. Although you may have answered a question correctly, you may not have fully understood it. Just because you answered correctly doesn’t mean you answered it optimally. Great test takers treat success in much the same way they treat failure—both are learning opportunities.

As you review your practice tests and homework, look over questions you missed, but also assess questions you answered correctly. If the question was perfectly clear to you, check it quickly and move on. However, if you had any hesitation, go over the problem as if you had missed it.

The Methodology

With that strategy covered, let’s outline a consistent approach to reviewing questions. In the past, we’ve talked a lot about how to take practice LSAT tests, so I’m not covering that here. Instead, I’ll discuss how to review any test or homework problems you complete. There are three main methods, and all benefit from using a tracking mechanism such as the tracker sheets in our free LSAT Self-Study Plans.

Method I: Blind Review

This method delays your consideration of the answers until after you’ve carefully examined each problem. It’s great if you’re unsure whether you truly understand each question or are just getting lucky.

1. After you complete the test, do NOT check the answers. Write down every question you struggled with or felt uncertain about.
2. Go back and review every question un-timed, including unanswered ones.
3. Decide whether you’d keep your original answer or change it. Note any changes in your tracker.
4. Check all your answers and record two scores: your original timed score and your blind review score.
5. Analyze both results. The difference reveals which questions truly tricked you.

The Ones You Didn’t Mark as a Problem

These can be either harmless or dangerous. If you didn’t mark it and got it right, great. But if you missed it, it tricked you—study it carefully and note it as a “super tricky” problem.

The Ones You Marked as a Problem but Kept the Same Answer

If you marked a question as difficult but kept your answer and it’s correct, that’s fine. But if it’s wrong, study it more closely—you may need to review the concept behind it.

The Ones You Marked as a Problem and Changed Your Answer

If you changed from right to wrong, figure out why. If you changed from wrong to right, note what led you to improvement. If both were wrong, review the problem thoroughly before marking it as “super tricky.”

Method II: Delayed Blind Review

This method lets you delay understanding why you missed questions so you can give them another fresh look later.

1. After completing the test, immediately check your answers.
2. Write down every missed or difficult question, but do NOT record the correct answer.
3. After a few hours or days, reattempt each question carefully and un-timed.
4. If you spot a recurring issue (e.g., mis-diagramming conditional rules), study that topic immediately.

Method III: Immediate Review

This approach provides quick feedback and is useful when short on time.

1. After completing the test, immediately check your answers.
2. Record every missed or difficult question.
3. Review every question, including correct ones, to ensure understanding.
4. If you identify a recurring weakness, study that topic right away.

The Final Steps to All Methods

1. Track reasons for missed questions (e.g., “Didn’t see causal conclusion” or “Down to 2, chose wrong one”).
2. Study problem areas immediately after noticing a pattern.
3. Wait a few days, then redo the missed or confusing questions.
4. If you still can’t figure out a problem, seek help—ask an instructor, tutor, or use resources like the PowerScore publications or LSAT Forum.
5. Every 10–14 days, review your tracker and restudy weak concepts.
6. Expect performance fluctuations—this is natural. See The Casino Effect for more.
7. If you have a poor result, treat it as a learning opportunity. See The Benefits of Failure.

Pick One and Give It a Go!

Try each review method and see which fits you best. Mix them up depending on your needs. If you want expert feedback, consider working with a tutor.