* Rigorous Reasoning Skills Required: The LSAT doesn't test memorized facts or specific knowledge. Instead, it assesses your ability to read critically, analyze complex arguments, identify assumptions, draw inferences, and think logically under pressure. These are advanced cognitive skills that take time and effort to develop.
* Time Constraints: The test is notoriously time-constrained. You have to work quickly and efficiently to answer a large number of questions in a limited amount of time. This pressure adds significantly to the difficulty.
* Tricky Questions: The questions are deliberately designed to be challenging. They often contain subtle nuances and traps that can easily lead to incorrect answers even if you understand the underlying concepts.
* Specific Test-Taking Strategies Required: Success on the LSAT often requires learning and practicing specific test-taking strategies, such as process of elimination, prephrasing answers, and identifying question types. These skills aren't naturally intuitive for most people.
* High Stakes: The pressure associated with the high stakes of the test (law school admissions) can further increase the perceived difficulty.
In short, while some individuals may find certain sections easier than others, the overall LSAT is widely regarded as a difficult and demanding test that requires significant preparation and dedication. Its difficulty is not just about the content, but also the time pressure, the nuanced questions, and the psychological impact of its high stakes.