LSAT
The LSAT consists of five sections over four hours: logic games, two arguments sections, a reading comprehension section, and an essay section. The first four sections comprise approximately 100 multiple choice questions. Scores range from 120 to 180, with an average score of 151 (56 correct questions). Blank responses do not cost you points.
The Logical Reasoning (Arguments) section focuses on asking readers to analyze and evaluate arguments. There are two sections of this, approximately 25 questions and 35 minutes each. You will be asked to determine the main point of an argument, apply an argument structure, identify relevant information, evaluate, and analyze arguments.
The Logic Games section is the most feared of the sections. It requires test takers to use a set of facts to deduce or predict other facts based on sets of given rules. There is one 35 minute section of approximately 25 questions.
The Reading Comprehension section has four passages, three longer and one shorter. A series of questions is asked about each passage. The entire section consists of approximately 27 questions over 35 minutes. You will be asked to draw inferences from a text, determine main ideas, identify relevant information, and glean information from a dense text.
The writing sample is submitted to your law schools. You do not get to choose a prompt, one of two possibilities is given to you. The essay is handwritten in 35 minutes. It does not affect your scores at all. Schools often use the writing sample to ensure the validity of your personal statement, and to see how you write under pressure. Try to fill up the space given, and write in paragraph form! Use large words if you can – this seems to have a positive effect here. The prompt will propose a situation and ask you to take and defend a position.
There is one experimental section on the LSAT, one of the multiple choice sections. It is not possible to figure out which section is experimental, so do your best on each one! It is 35 minutes, with about 25 questions.
The LSAT is offered only four times per year – February, June, October (or late September), and December. The deadline to register is usually about 1 month before the test. However, the spots fill up early, so sign up early to get the location you prefer.
Most schools require you to take the LSAT by December, but the June test is recommended. The September/October test is the most common. Taking the test in December is not the end of the world, especially if you do well! But it may put you at a disadvantage with rolling admissions. If you have an account with LSAC, you will receive your LSAT score by email, usually about three weeks after taking the LSAT.
If you take the LSAT multiple times, the schools may look at the scores differently. Some may take an average score, some take the first, some take the last, and some take the best. Try to prepare and do your best on the first test you take.
TAKE A PRACTICE TEST! The Pre-Law Society co-sponsors a practice LSAT test with Kaplan twice per year. Get on our mailing list and you’ll receive reminders and information on how to sign up.
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