What is the LSAT?

Law schools are much like colleges in how they handle admissions. They look at your grades, what you did outside of the classroom, your essays, and your standardized test scores. Unlike undergrad, however, law schools all require the same test, and have no optional caveats. If you want to go to law school, you will have to take the LSAT, there’s no way around it. 

But what is the LSAT? It’s a test sure, but all tests have their own unique quirks and challenges, and the LSAT is no different. In this article, we’re going to explain what the LSAT is, what kinds of questions it asks, and how you can go about preparing for it efficiently. Let’s get started!

Understanding the LSAT

The Law School Admissions Test (which is almost always just abbreviated to LSAT) is administered by the Law School Admissions Council, which, as the name implies, is a coalition of law schools which got together to set common standards for admission. This makes sense; law schools all want similar things from students, and by working together, they can ensure that graduates from any accredited law program are equally equipped to practice law. 

Some law schools do allow you to take the GRE in place of the LSAT, though this is less common, and the LSAC advocates against doing this. 

The test is only administered in-person. There was a brief period during Covid when it was offered digitally, but this was considered a failed experiment, and they returned firmly to in-person testing thereafter. 

The test is administered six times each year. The tests are administered digitally and in person, you must find a testing center near you in order to take the LSAT. The test is administered on tablets which are located at the testing center, as with many such tests, you cannot use your personal computer to take it. 

LSAT Format

The test itself consists of four multiple choice sections. Each of these contains 35 questions. One is an unscored experimental section; you are not told which is the experimental section, and you are encouraged to do your best on every portion of the test. 

There is an unscored writing sample at the end of the test. You do not need to complete this, but many students do. This writing sample is sent to law schools along with your test scores; some use it in their admissions process, while others do not. We recommend doing it, as the majority of law schools consider it to some extent. 

The multiple choice sections consist of two logical reasoning sections, and one reading comprehension section. The experimental section can be of either type of these; it is not marked in any way. 

The logical reasoning sections each contain 24-28 questions. Each question begins with an argument or set of facts (leading to this sometimes being called the “argument” section). You are then asked to find the argument’s assumptions, identify errors in the argument, find another argument with parallel reasoning, or choose a statement which would strengthen or weaken the argument. These sections used to also contain logic puzzles, but these have been removed from the test after a settlement with blind test-takers. 

The reading comprehension section consists of four passages of 4–500 words apiece, with five to eight questions on each passage. These can be on any topic, but generally cover law, humanities, social sciences, or physical sciences. You are asked questions on the main idea of the passage, to find specific information, to draw inferences, or to describe the structure of the passage. 

The writing sample is presented as a decision prompt, where you are given a problem and two criteria for making a decision. You then write an essay where you argue for one of these options over the other. These are not on controversial subjects, but generally ask about a mundane issue about which you likely have no personal bias. There is no right or wrong answer to these questions, instead the point is to show how you craft and defend an argument, and how you are able to argue against a potential counter position. 

The scores on the LSAT are normalized, and put on a scale of 120 to 180. Adjusted scores lie on a bell curve, with the average score being around 151. Scoring at 165 would put you in the 90th percentile of test takers. The number of questions wrong doesn’t directly translate to score; the makers of the test decide beforehand how each will be equated.

There has been research done on how different college majors score on the LSAT exam. Note that these are only averages, but they do present an interesting set of data: 

After taking the test, but before scores are released, you have the option of cancelling your scores. This must be done within six days of taking the test. When you take the test, you select the law schools you want scores to be sent to, they are then sent automatically. Your scores become available online three to four weeks after you take the test.

If you had a significant issue during the test taking process, then there is an appeal committee you can submit complaints to. In very rare cases they have even canceled entire questions on the exam.

How to Prepare for the LSAT

Like with many other tests, studying for the LSAT ahead of time is a good idea, and can improve your performance on the test. The LSAC offers a number of official practice tests, and recommends students avail themselves of them. We advise this as well; LSAC does stand to benefit from students buying practice tests from them, true, but the questions and format of the LSAT are very different from most other tests you’ll encounter. 

Like with many tests, the most important part of practice tests is simulating the actual experience. We therefore advise doing at least one timed practice test in conditions as similar to the real test as you can manage. Give yourself the same amount of time, work straight through, and complete the test in an area which is quiet and free from distractions. 

Unlike tests like the MCAT, there is not much material you need to learn or master for the LSAT. Instead, the purpose of the test is to predict your grades for the first year of law school, and see your ability to comprehend and integrate information. Thus studying for the test, by necessity, means studying the specific kinds of questions that it asks. Luckily there are plenty of practice tests available; LSAC has released more than ninety.

When you start studying, and when you should take the LSAT, depends on when you plan on applying to law school. In general, we recommend you start studying six months before you take the test for the first time, and that you not take the test until you are comfortable with the format and the kinds of questions it asks. 

You may take the LSAT up to three times in a year, and up to five times in a two year period. Every score from the LSAT from a five-year period is given to law schools when you apply, along with an overall average of all scores you ever got on the LSAT. Generally, law schools only consider the highest score you achieved on the test. 

Final Thoughts

We covered how applying to law school works in more detail before, and hope that this article has given you needed insight into one of the most important aspects of the law school application process. The LSAT is not quite as formidable as the MCAT, but it is still a very challenging test, and you should go into it knowing what is expected of you. 
As with all tests, studying lets you sit with confidence, knowing that you are prepared for the kinds of questions you will be asked. Of course, studying is a skill, one that takes time to master. If you are looking for help with your own LSAT preparations, or want to work with a test prep expert, schedule a free consultation with us to learn how we can help you. Our test prep experts have experience with every facet of these tests, and are well equipped to help you succeed. Don’t wait, we’re always happy to hear from you.