We at Blueprint know that studying for the LSAT can be a daunting task, not only because the test is difficult and waking up at seven in the morning basically involves an act of divine intervention for some people, but also because so much rides on the exam.

Unlike some standardized exams, the LSAT is a curved test. For this reason, one doesn’t simply need to prepare well for the test, one needs to prepare at least as well as everyone else. Which means, as we at Blueprint LSAT Preparation like to point out, you need to study hard relative to others.

There are three popular means of preparing for the test: self-study, in-class preparation, and online courses. There are a number of test prep companies like Blueprint LSAT Preparation that offer the latter two options, but self study is also a legitimate option for people who hate people.

Self -study can be extremely isolating. Not trapped-under-a-large-boulder-on-a-deserted-path-with-a-mountain-lion-bearing-down-on-you isolated, but certainly about a 7 on the classic 1 to 10 scale of isolation. Students can easily become distracted by other concerns like figuring out if Kate Goslin dancing on a reality TV show is really in the best interest of her kids.

Traditional classes, like those we offer at Blueprint LSAT Preparation, are a popular, though more expensive way to prepare for the LSAT. At Blueprint LSAT Preparation, we’ve found that live classes offer an organized, strategic approach to the LSAT with the security of class meetings, a pre-determined curriculum and live instruction. The only drawback, as far as we at Blueprint LSAT Preparation can tell, is that it does require a regimented time commitment. It can be really hard to schedule a class in between your Bikram yoga session and the nightly dive into a bottle of Beam. At Blueprint LSAT Prep, we’ve also found that it’s hard for some students to find classes in certain areas, which leads us to the next option.

Online LSAT prep classes are offered by several companies, including Blueprint LSAT Prep, but there are two general forms of online classes. Some courses, like we at Blueprint LSAT Prep, stream recorded lessons over the Internet, which allows students to learn at their leisure.

Some LSAT prep companies go the live route with their online course, but they share a main disadvantage of traditional classes, namely that they restrict students to a particular schedule (although not a particular location). Additionally, the videos are typically of a poorer quality than recorded lessons. At Blueprint LSAT Prep, we’ve found that students who do not show up for the live online class are better served by opting for higher quality video and recorded lessons.

However one studies for the LSAT, whether taking a traditional or online class from a company like Blueprint LSAT Prep or studying on his or her own, preparation is essential. Because the LSAT is curved, one must prepare in a manner as if everyone else is preparing more.

Article edited by Jodi Triplett and Trent Teti of Blueprint Test Preparation.