COVID-19 has “cancelled” much of 2020; however, that thankfully doesn’t hold true for the LSAT – it’s a great time to get started with digital LSAT prep. When COVID-19 arrived in the U.S. early this year, the LSAC responded, and it has since been accommodating test-takers with a 3-section online version of the LSAT – a.k.a. the LSAT-flex. Yes, that’s right, the exam consists of only 3 sections! Please note, though, that this gift from the LSAC must be treated as a limited time offer, and, it’s very possible that things will go back to the norm once the pandemic subsides. In fact, registration for the October and November LSAT is still for an in-person format, but that’s been the case for all prior LSAT-flex administrations – the flex status has previously only been assigned following an exam’s registration deadline. Given the current state of the pandemic, it’s more likely than not that October and November will be administered in a flex-format.
Digital LSAT Practice
The fact of the matter is, it’s irrelevant whether you’ll end up taking the regular LSAT or the LSAT flex – the prep stays the same. The LSAT-flex contains all of the same sections as the regular 
LSAT; however, the LSAT-flex lacks a second logical reasoning section and an experimental section. Consequently, if you’re set to take the LSAT-flex, it’s critically important that you master all the strategies necessary to succeed on the LSAT, especially because there are fewer questions on the LSAT-flex, and as a result, less room for error. Bottom line: fewer sections doesn’t directly translate to a better outcome (or an easier test), and you should master all relevant topics prior to taking the official exam.
LSAT Prep During a Pandemic
Needless to say, in person LSAT prep likely isn’t an option for you at the moment. So, the following are some equally effective alternatives to in person LSAT prep… To begin, all LSAT takers should invest in LSAC’s service, “LSAT Prep Plus,” which provides students with access to all historically released LSATs. These digital LSAT practice tests are officially formatted and enable students to become acclimated with the official testing format; ultimately, using this platform will ensure that a student doesn’t run into any nasty surprises come test day. Furthermore, if you’re planning on taking the LSAT-flex, it is a good idea to run the LSAT Prep Plus platform on the same device that you intend to use on the test day. For those getting a head-start on LSAT prep (and possibly taking a regular, in person, LSAT in the future) – LSAT tablet practice is important, as the regular LSAT is digitally administered via a tablet. With that said, in sports, it’s common to hear a coach say, “train like you play” and “practice like it’s gameday.” Well, the same philosophy applies to crushing the LSAT!
Aside from regularly implementing LSAC digital practice tests into ones’ studies, how does one learn effective strategies by which one can succeed? There are a lot of resources available to LSAT preppers, and to learn effective strategies there are a few routes one can take: online classroom prep, online private lsat prep, and on-demand online prep. The options are quite self-explanatory, but to break them down a bit, online classroom prep emulates a classroom experience as close as possible, albeit online; online private prep is one-on-one and offers the most individualized aid; lastly, on-demand prep is geared towards “go-at-your-own-pace” types of individuals. Once you decide upon a form of preparation, you can move on to choosing a prep platform – beware, not all platforms offer all formats of LSAT prep.
There are so many LSAT prep platforms available that it can be an overwhelming experience having to choose one to invest in; after all, without a fee waiver, LSAT prep can be quite expensive, and you want to make the best choice possible. Therefore, you should start by visiting LSAC’s licensing page; this page contains a list of all the licensed LSAT prep companies, and you should only prep via a licensed resource. Resources without a content license will not expose you to official LSAT questions, and as such, can’t reliably provide “good” prep. Second, working from that list, browse your options, and compare the available features of licensed resources as they may vary. Some resources are more apt for visual learners, others are more suitable for those that prefer learning in a cut-and-dried fashion. Finally, after comparing your options, you can proceed by selecting the licensed resource most suitable for your needs! Good luck studying!