What advice is there for taking the LSAT if English is a second language?

I am a legal immigrant from El Salvador. English is my second language. I graduated from college in the US, where I got good grades, but I struggled on the LSAT. Do you have any suggestions? - SR No one thinks the LSAT is easy. It's fast-paced and grueling, designed to be impossible for the average person to complete in a timely manner. Regardless of your language skills, the LSAT requires months of training. Mastering the skills you need to succeed on the LSAT requires targeted and methodical practice, with enough time to scrutinize past mistakes to address weaknesses one by one.

In addition to specific technique, the test also requires psychological skills, such as maintaining confidence under pressure. Test anxiety can cause panic and self-doubt to flood your brain and inhibit your language skills. Non-native speakers may find it easy to get confused and overwhelmed. While the LSAT requires strong English skills, it tests the more general language of logical reasoning. Whether you speak English, Spanish or Tamil, the same argument techniques and the same logical flaws exist. However, each section of the test may present different challenges to non-native speakers.

Logical Reasoning

In English, it is rare to say that something will happen only when certain conditions are met. There are even fewer ways to say one thing leads to another. Pay attention to indicators of conditional and causal reasoning. Even if you can't decipher every word used, you can usually answer the question correctly by recognizing the clues.

Many logical reasoning questions are filled with irrelevant information, confusing candidates. Don't be put off by convoluted run-on sentences with strange syntax or multiple clauses. Break the sentences into smaller parts and focus on the core parts of your argument, such as the premises and conclusion. Don't be afraid to flag questions to revisit later. Every question on the LSAT is equally weighted, so focus on the questions that are easiest for you.

Reading Comprehension

The passages on the LSAT Reading Comprehension section are designed to be tangled and intimidating. Avoid getting lost in details. Mine each paragraph to extract the author's main ideas and supporting claims, as well as competing ideas. Reading comprehension passages may contain ridiculously obscure vocabulary. Articles related to science and technology often use terms that only experts would know.

If you don't know how to pronounce a word, don't take it personally. Mentally use its acronym for the word and move on. Questions rarely require you to know the meaning of unusual words, and when they do, you can look for context clues to make an educated guess.

Logic Games

Many non-native English speakers find the analytical reasoning section consisting of logic games to be the most straightforward. Setting up a logic game correctly rarely depends on the nuances of the language. It's just a skill learned through practice. If you lack confidence in your English skills, aim as high as possible in this section. A high score here can make up for mistakes elsewhere.

Writing Samples

For non-native speakers, writing a short essay on the fly can seem daunting. Don’t worry—the writing sample is unscored and relatively unimportant. Try to write a sensible, grammatically correct and well-structured essay. However, law school admissions officers will pay more attention to your personal statement and other written materials to evaluate your communication skills.

If the LSAT seems too inaccessible, try the GRE to see if it's a better fit for your skills. Unlike the LSAT, the GRE tests quantitative and verbal skills, which some non-native speakers find easier to study for. There is also a Spanish LSAT, offered annually. However, it is only available to test takers in Puerto Rico and is only accepted by the three ABA-accredited law schools there. After attending law school in Puerto Rico, it is possible, albeit difficult, to become admitted to the bar in a mainland U.S. jurisdiction.

Above all, remember that the School of Law values ??diversity of language, cultural heritage, and immigration status. The ability of a non-native English speaker to tackle a tough challenge like the LSAT is very impressive and should dispel any doubts you may have about your English proficiency.