What is the LSAT?
If you're planning to apply to law school, you'll need to submit a standardized test score. Traditionally, this has been the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). While some law schools now also accept the GRE or GMAT, this guide will focus exclusively on the LSAT.
Who doesn’t hate standardized tests?!
What is the LSAT?
The LSAT evaluates prospective law students' reading and verbal reasoning skills. It does not test specific legal principles or laws.
The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) administers the LSAT, and you can register for the test and apply to law schools through their website, www.LSAC.org.
Tip: If you haven't already, create an account on www.LSAC.org. It's free and essential for uploading your application materials.
What Does the LSAT Test?
The LSAT is a skills test, not a memorization test. It assesses your understanding and command of the English language, reading, vocabulary, writing, and analytical skills. There is no math section on the LSAT. (Maybe the reason we are deciding to go to law school in the first place?)
Structure of the LSAT
The LSAT consists of two sections, tested four times, but only three are scored. The sections are:
Logical Reasoning (LR): This section, often called the “heart of the LSAT,” tests your ability to understand, support, critique, and draw conclusions from short passages and arguments.
You’ll encounter various question types that require critical thinking skills—like assumption, flaw, and inference questions.
LR is all about picking apart arguments and analyzing logical structure, which makes it essential for those aiming to think like a lawyer.
Each test has two Logical Reasoning sections, and now, with the games section canceled, you might see an additional LR section that is not scored.
Reading Comprehension (RC): Known for its lengthy and dense passages (ew, gross), the Reading Comprehension section tests your ability to interpret complex texts accurately and quickly.
These passages are drawn from subjects like law, science, humanities, and social sciences and often come with challenging vocabulary.
The section includes a mix of single passages and comparative reading, where you analyze the perspectives of two related texts.
RC is designed to mimic the intensive reading that law school demands, helping you become skilled at understanding and dissecting complex material.
Beginning in August 2024, the Analytical Reasoning (Games) section has been canceled and replaced by an additional Logical Reasoning section. This change did not affect the June 2024 test.
Which one is the experimental section? One of these sections will appear twice as an unscored experimental section, though the joke is on us; you won’t know which one is unscored.
What This Means for You: By removing the Games section, LSAT preparation is now focused on mastering just two types of content: LR and RC. This means more emphasis on argument analysis and reading skills, streamlining your study focus for the test.
LSAT Score Range
The LSAT score ranges from 120 to 180. Your score is based on the number of questions answered correctly, with no penalty for incorrect answers. It's essential to answer every question, even if you guess.
Year after year, law schools are getting more competitive. Just for fun, here are some statistics:
Median LSAT score: 152
Harvard's median LSAT score: 173
For the 2024 - 2025 LSAT testing year, over 60,000 people have already taken the LSAT, half of whom are first-time test takers.
Do you like numbers? https://report.lsac.org/TestTakers.aspx?Format=PDF
The LSAT is a learnable test - the more practice, the better you will get.
How Many Times Can You Take the LSAT?
You can take the LSAT "five times within the current reportable score period (i.e., since June 2018)" and "a total of seven times over a lifetime." https://www.lsac.org/
This means you have five attempts to get the score you desire. Law schools can see every attempt and every score you get (including cancellations), but they will only consider your highest score. Use your five attempts wisely.
I highly recommend taking the LSAT more than once. However, don’t just use one of your five attempts when you are not fully prepared and ready to take it. Before taking the test, ensure your practice scores are within 1-2 points of your target.
How to Take the LSAT
Register for the LSAT through your LSAC account at www.LSAC.org.
Post-COVID, you can take the LSAT at home via a live, remotely proctored exam or in person at a testing center. Testing centers can fill up quickly, so plan ahead if you prefer an in-person exam.
Note: The LSAT includes a writing portion, which you must complete remotely using secure proctoring software. This portion is un-scored (for now, this might change soon!) but reviewed by admission committees to assess your persuasive writing skills. You must complete the writing section to see your LSAT score and have your scores released to schools.
Final Advice
The LSAT and your GPA are crucial for your law school application. Dedicate ample time and invest in mastering this test to maximize your chances of success.
