The LSAT is a standardized test, but its similarities with the SAT end in the acronym. One major difference: the test is actually difficult. Disclaimer: the SAT can be difficult but it’s fun to torture people trying to remember whether alternate interior angles are equivalent.

The LSAT is divided into three categories: Logic Games, Logical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension. At Blueprint LSAT Preparation, we don’t discriminate against any category. Although we do tend to like logical reasoning best, because it has two sections instead of one and so accounts for half the test. So that’s kind of like discrimination.

LSAT: Logic Games

Logic games are not even remotely fun, despite the misnomer. But in a relative sense? They might be the only thing on the test that doesn’t cause general weeping among our Blueprint LSAT students. This is because logic games on the LSAT are typically the most unfamiliar upon first perusal. However, we at Blueprint LSAT have found that they are also the most learnable.

There are four scored logic games per section on the LSAT. We at Blueprint LSAT have found that the vast majority of these games ask test takers to put things in order, group them into categories, or perform some combination of the two. The last category is typically the most difficult because you’re doing two things at once, like patting your head and rubbing your tummy or eating peanut butter while trying on lingerie (don’t ask).

At Blueprint LSAT Prep, we advise spending time on the rules in the game and symbolizing them so you can quickly remember their meaning. After that, make any deductions you can before moving on to the questions. Deductions on the LSAT are like brushing your teeth. Although it might seem frustrating, the more time you spend up front on it, the better your trip to the dentist. The Blueprint LSAT wisdom is that the more time you spend on the deductions, the quicker you will be able to answer the questions and the better you will be able to do on this section.

LSAT: Logical Reasoning

Logical reasoning comprises 50% of the scored sections on the test, so at Blueprint LSAT Prep we recommend devoting a lot of energy to this section. Logical reasoning is comprised of paragraphs of information (often arguments) where the test taker must make a conclusion about the information or evaluate the argument. At Blueprint LSAT, we recommend test takers develop strategies for each kind of question. It’s a tall order, but performing poorly on logical reasoning could mean the difference between flipping burgers and writing wills, so it’s worth it. We also find that our Blueprint LSAT students can improve a great deal on this section.

LSAT: Reading Comprehension

At Blueprint LSAT Prep, we’ve found students generally feel they have a handle on reading comprehension before they tackle the test, but they couldn’t be more wrong. Or they could be, but being more wrong would probably entail trying to read this section in Spanish.

Reading comprehension consists of three long passages and a comparative reading passage. In order to score well on this section, students must develop a balance between reading quickly and retaining important information.

So there you have it, a fairly lucid discussion of the three sections you can expect on the test. Not fun, but at least you don’t have to remember the Pythagorean theorem.

Article edited by Jodi Triplett and Trent Teti owners of Blueprint LSAT Preparation. Blueprint provides live and online LSAT courses across the country. Blueprint LSAT was formed in 2005..