LSAT Preparation

The LSAT (Law School Admission Test) is the only standardized test specifically designed for law school admission. It accurately measures skills critical to law school success, making it a valuable tool for admission professionals to craft successful incoming classes. The LSAT predicts first-year law school performance more accurately than any single factor, playing a crucial role in a holistic admission process.

Key Sections of the LSAT

Logical Reasoning:
Evaluates your ability to examine, analyze, and critically evaluate arguments in ordinary language.

Reading Comprehension:
Measures your ability to read, understand, and gain insights from complex materials similar to those encountered in law school.

Analytical Reasoning (available until June 2024):
Assesses your ability to understand and apply a set of facts and rules to determine what could or must be true.

How the LSAT Is Used

The LSAT results provide valuable insights into law school readiness. Research consistently shows that the LSAT is the best single predictor of law school success. It helps schools identify highly qualified candidates who might otherwise be overlooked due to factors like undergraduate institution GPA or extracurricular activities.

How the LSAT Is Designed

The LSAC (Law School Admission Council) ensures the LSAT assesses skills essential for success in the first year of law school. Studies involving law school faculty confirm that the skills measured by the LSAT are critical for law school success.

How the LSAT Is Structured

The LSAT is divided into two parts:

Part One: Multiple-Choice Test

• Consists of three 35-minute scored sections and one 35-minute unscored section.
• For the remainder of the 2023-2024 testing year (ending June 2024), the scored sections include Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Analytical Reasoning.
• Starting in August 2024, the scored sections will include only Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension.
• The unscored section is used to review questions for fairness and content, ensuring they are free from bias.

Part Two: LSAT Writing

• A 35-minute remotely proctored writing exam.
• Allows candidates to demonstrate persuasive writing skills.
• Required to complete a writing sample to see LSAT scores or have them sent to law schools.
• Starting July 30, LSAT Writing will be replaced by LSAT Argumentative Writing.

LSAT Writing
LSAT Writing provides law school candidates an opportunity to demonstrate their persuasive writing skills. Though it doesn’t receive a score, it is considered by admission committees. Administered using ProctorU’s secure proctoring software, LSAT Writing can be taken starting eight days before the LSAT test administration.

For those taking the LSAT after July 30, LSAT Writing will transition to LSAT Argumentative Writing, which focuses on constructing a persuasive argument.

How the LSAT Is Administered

Test Administration Options
Test takers can choose to take the LSAT in one of two formats:

• Online: Live remote-proctored environment.
• In-Person: At a Prometric digital testing center.

The LSAT is administered via Prometric in two ways: remotely (online with a remote proctor) or in person (at a Prometric testing center). Both options are available to most test takers, allowing for flexibility in choosing the preferred method. LSAC is committed to providing accommodations for individuals with disabilities regardless of the testing method chosen.

Registration Information

Registration for the 2024-2025 LSAT testing year, which starts with the August 2024 test, opens on May 20, 2024. The registration fee for this testing year is $238.

Test Length:
The test comprises four 35-minute sections, totaling approximately 3 hours for standard test takers. There is a mandatory 10-minute intermission between the second and third sections.

Break Policy:
During the 10-minute intermission, test takers can leave the testing area to have a snack or use the restroom. However, electronic devices like cell phones are prohibited during this time. Test takers must notify the proctor before leaving the view of the camera.

Recheck-in Process:
After the intermission, test takers must complete a recheck-in process with the proctor before resuming testing. Failure to complete this process will result in termination of the test session, requiring registration for a new LSAT administration without a refund.

Important Note:
Using test material or taking unscheduled breaks during the intermission is strictly prohibited.

LSAT Testing and Equipment Requirements

Remote Testing Equipment Requirements:
To take the LSAT remotely, you’ll need:

• Location: A quiet, well-lit, and private room with a table or desk and a chair. Transparent glass walls are not permitted.
• Device: Laptop or desktop computer with Windows 8.1, MacOS 10.13 to 12.6.5, or MacOS Ventura 13.3.1 and above.
• Display: Screen resolution of 1024×768.
• Camera & Mic: Webcam (640x480p) and microphone (external webcam for desktop computers).
• Internet: Strong and stable Internet connection (minimum 1.0 Mbps download speed).
• Browser: Latest version of Google Chrome.
• Software: Administrative rights to download required proctoring software.
• System Check: Perform a System Readiness Check via Prometric before scheduling.

Testing Center Equipment:
At a testing center, all equipment and materials, including scratch paper and pencils, will be provided by Prometric to all test takers.

Options for Inadequate Equipment or Environment:
If you lack the necessary equipment or a suitable testing environment for remote testing, LSAC provides alternatives:

• Request In-Person Testing: Candidates can opt to test in person at a designated testing center.
• Preparation: LSAC encourages candidates to familiarize themselves with the test’s interface via free practice tests and tutorials on LawHub®.

Ensuring you have the appropriate equipment and environment is crucial for a smooth testing experience. LSAC offers flexibility to accommodate varying circumstances, ensuring all candidates have a fair opportunity to take the LSAT.

LSAT Scoring

Your LSAT score is determined by the number of questions you answer correctly, known as your “raw score.” There’s no penalty for wrong answers and all questions carry equal weight. This raw score is then converted to an LSAT scale ranging from 120 to 180.

Receiving Your Score:
After each administration, your LSAT score, percentile rank, and score band are available on the LSAT Status page of your LSAC JD Account. All test-takers receive their scores on the designated release date, provided they have completed the LSAT Writing sample.

Percentile Rank:
Your percentile rank indicates how your score compares to others over the past three testing years. For example, a percentile rank of 55 means you scored higher than 55% of test-takers during that period.

Score Band:
LSAT scores come with a score band to account for potential variations. This reflects what a test-taker might score if they were to retake the LSAT.

Official Candidate LSAT Score Reports:
Law schools receive your 12 most recent LSAT scores, including absences and cancellations. Additionally, you can order Official Candidate LSAT Score Reports for a comprehensive view of your LSAT history.

Score Release Dates:
To know when scores will be released for recent or upcoming LSAT administrations, consult the LSAC website.

The LSAT provides a standardized measure of skills essential for law school success, offering transparency and fairness in the admissions process.

Changes Coming to the LSAT in August 2024

For the 2024-2025 testing cycle, the LSAT will undergo significant updates starting with the August 2024 test. The revised test structure aims to better evaluate candidates’ logical reasoning abilities.

New Test Structure:

• Two Scored Logical Reasoning (LR) Sections: Enhanced focus on assessing logical reasoning skills.
• One Scored Reading Comprehension (RC) Section: Continues to evaluate comprehension and analysis of complex texts.
• One Unscored Section: Can be either LR or RC, used to test future exam questions.

Key Points:

• Integrity and Reliability: The LSAT will continue to measure essential skills for law school success, including reasoning, reading comprehension, and writing.
• Data-Driven Decision: The change is based on extensive research and analysis of over 200,000 test sessions, ensuring minimal impact on overall scores and maintaining the test’s strong predictive validity for first-year law school performance.
• Score Range Unchanged: The 120-180 score range will remain, providing consistency for candidates and schools.

Transition Period:
Until June 2024, the LSAT will retain its current format, which includes:

• One Logical Reasoning (LR) section
• One Reading Comprehension (RC) section
• One Analytical Reasoning (AR) section
• One unscored section (any of the three types)

Test Prep Materials:
Current prep materials, including free resources through Khan Academy, will be available until the June 2024 test. New prep materials for the updated format are already available through LawHub.