Other LSAT-related articles:
About the LSAT:
A short introduction to the LSAT
When is the LSAT Offered and When to Take It
How to register to take the LSAT
About the Different Sections of the LSAT
The Logical Reasoning Section
The Reading Comprehension Section
The Analytical Reasoning Section
The Writing Sample
LSAT Scoring and Admissions
How the LSAT is scored
How the LSAT is used in Law School Admissions
How to Prepare for the LSAT
When to Begin Preparing
How to Begin Preparing
Canceling or Postponing an LSAT
Postponing the LSAT
Canceling the LSAT -- When to Cancel
Canceling the LSAT – How to cancel
Miscellaneous Frequently Asked Questions
I have a friend who didn’t study and scored very well. Do I really need to study for this exam?
Is there anything that I can learn from a course that I can’t learn on my own through a book?
Is there any way to determine the experimental section after the exam?
Is any particular administration of the exam easier than any other?
Should I take a course or get tutoring?
Can I wear earplugs during my test?
How can I get faster at answering LSAT questions?
When will I get my score back?
How much can I expect to improve my LSAT score?
Is there any way for me to see my score before I decide whether to cancel it?
Which letter is best to guess on the exam?
Is there a penalty for guessing on the exam?
Will a high GPA make up for a low LSAT score?
How can I find out the LSAT range of the schools I’m interested in?
Should I take the LSAT again?
How will schools view multiple LSAT scores?
What is LSDAS?
How much time should I devote to studying for the LSAT
Don’t see your question answered here? Try LSAC’s frequently asked questions, or call us at 866.577.2673
About the LSAT
A short introduction to the LSAT
LSAT stands for “Law School Admission Test”. The LSAT is an entrance exam for law school admission. Every accredited law school requires applicants to take the LSAT. The LSAT is administered by a non-profit company called the Law School Admission Council (commonly referred to as the LSAC).
The LSAT is a paper-and-pencil based exam and is composed of five multiple choice sections and one writing section. Each multiple choice section has between 22 and 28 questions. Examinees have 35 minutes to answer the questions in each section.
Of the five multiple choice sections, only four will be tallied in your final score. One section will be a section that contains questions that are being tested for use in future LSATs. The writing portion also won’t contribute to your final score. Instead, a copy of the essay you write will be sent to each law school to which you apply.
Further information about the experimental section can be found in our Miscellaneous FAQ section.
Further information about the writing section can be found in About the Different Sections of the LSAT.
The four scored multiple choice sections will be comprised of:
- Two sections of Logical Reasoning
- One section of Reading Comprehension
- One section of Analytical Reasoning (commonly referred to as “Logic Games”)
The sections may appear in any order. Examinees will receive a short break between the third and fourth multiple choice sections. Further information about each of these sections can be found in the next section of this FAQ.
When the LSAT is Offered and When to Take It
The LSAT is offered four times during the year during the following times:
- February (The February is also notable for being an “undisclosed” exam, which means that examinees will receive their scores, but will not receive a copy of their answer sheet or any other exam questions .)
- June (The June exam is offered on a Monday at an afternoon time, and the others are offered on a Saturday in the morning.)
- October (or sometimes late September instead)
- December (Specific dates for the exams can be found at LSAC's website at www.lsac.org.)
The different administrations of the exam are all standardized, which means that they are roughly equal in difficulty. Thus, there is no score advantage to be gained by taking the exam during any specific administration date. (Further information on this topic can be found in our Miscellaneous FAQ section.)
College students wishing to enter directly into law school after college should plan to take the LSAT during their third year or at the beginning of their fourth year. The June test during the summer break between third and fourth year is especially ideal, since it should allow for more study time.
The fall application deadline for most schools is between February and April. (Most law schools do not have spring admission.) Thus, applicants must take the LSAT no later than February for admission. However, some schools will not accept a February score and many of those that do begin accepting students as soon as they begin receiving applications, which means that taking the LSAT in February for fall admission is not recommended.
LSAT scores stay on record for five years, although some schools will only accept scores that are more recent than three years.
The LSAT may only be taken three times in a two-year period. You should not plan to take the exam more than once. Be sure to take the exam only after you’ve adequately prepared. (More information on this subject can be found in our Miscellaneous FAQ section.)
How to register to take the LSAT
You can register to take the LSAT at www.lsac.org, or by calling 215.968.1001. You will need to pay a $127 registration fee. (Late registration will cost an additional $62)
About the Different Sections of the LSAT
The Logical Reasoning Section
There are two scored sections of logical reasoning on each LSAT exam. Each section has between 24 and 26 questions, which present short paragraphs followed by a question. When the paragraph contains an argument, the question usually asks the examinee to identify an assumption of the argument, identify the conclusion of the argument, or to identify an answer choice that would either strengthen or weaken the argument. When the paragraph contains a set of facts, the accompanying question usually asks the examinee to either identify an answer that must be true based on the facts stated or to find an answer choice that would reconcile a seeming discrepancy between the facts.
The Reading Comprehension Section
This section contains four passages of about 450 words in length. The passages are chosen from a wide range of different topics, but usually fall into the four basic categories of law, humanities, physical sciences, and social sciences. Each passage is accompanied by 5 to 8 questions that are to be answered based on the information in the passage.
As of June 2007, a new type of Reading Comprehension passage called "Comparative Reading Comprehension" began to appear on the LSAT. This type of passage presents two shorter passages on the same topic, rather than one longer passage on the topic. Questions for this type usually focus on how the two passages relate to each other. For more information about this new type of question, as well as a sample question of this type, visit lsac.org.
The Analytical Reasoning Section
The analytical reasoning section is commonly referred to as the “logic games” portion of the test. A logic game presents a short scenario and a list of rules that govern the scenario. The game is accompanied by five to seven questions that either ask what could be true based upon the rules given, or else add a new rule and ask the examinee to make new deductions given the new rule. Each games section contains four different logic games.
A sample logic game can be viewed at www.griffonprep.com/logicgame.html (Note: clicking this link will open a new browser window.)
The Writing Sample
The writing sample is always administered at the end of the exam. Examinees have 35 minutes write a response to a given prompt. The prompt will present a scenario in which two options are given, each with benefits and drawbacks. The examinee is asked to compose a short essay arguing for one choice over the other. There is no “correct” answer for this section; a reasonable argument can be made for either side.
The writing sample will not be scored. Instead, a copy of the essay is sent to each school to which the examinee applies.
LSAT Scoring and Admissions
How the LSAT is scored
The LSAT is scored on a scale from 120-180. The average score on the LSAT is approximately 150, with about 70% of examinees scoring between 140 and 160.
Scores are determined solely through the number of questions answered correctly. There is no penalty for guessing on the LSAT. The questions on the test are each valued equally toward the score; that is, no particular question is worth more than another.
To determine the score, the number of correct answers is tallied. This number is referred to as the “raw score”. This raw score is then converted into a 120-180 scaled score by using the “score conversion chart” that accompanies the test. Each test has a slightly different score conversion chart; these charts are used to make tiny adjustments for test difficulty.
How the LSAT is used in Law School Admissions
The LSAT is the single largest factor in admission to law school. For most schools, it will be weighted far more heavily than an applicant’s GPA. Insert an example to get people to understand.
How to Prepare for the LSAT
When to Begin Preparing
Now! The longer you study, the better your results will be. The LSAT is designed to test learned skills such as analytical thinking and critical reading. These skills CANNOT be learned in a matter of weeks; they must be built up over a long time period in order to see a large improvement. Thus, you should begin to study immediately, even if you only do a few LSAT problems per day.
How to Begin Preparing
College classes that can help prepare you for the LSAT:
- English classes that focus on critical reading
- A basic class in formal logic (usually offered by the philosophy department)
- Classes in critical thinking (also usually offered by the philosophy department)
Unfortunately, most pre-law classes with a focus on case law will not help you prepare for the LSAT. The LSAT is not designed to test your knowledge of law.
It’s best to begin your LSAT preparation with a practice test, so you can gauge your initial score and ability, as well as get a feel for the questions on the test and the time constraint of the test. A sample practice LSAT is available at lsac.org.
It is vitally important not to take or study from any test that is not a real, formerly administered LSAT test. Many books available in bookstores contain fake questions and fake tests that are inaccurate. Fortunately, the publishers of the LSAT have released many books with real LSATs that you can either order online or buy in bookstores. A great place to begin is with the SuperPrep, which contains three fully explained tests, and a terrific introductory chapter with basic strategies for the various sections.
Plan to take a course. Most students see improvement from the type of structured learning that a course provides. Furthermore, some courses are taught by highly skilled instructors who can provide strategies and insights that you might not find studying on your own.
Canceling or Postponing an LSAT
Postponing the LSAT
If you are not ready to take the LSAT, you can postpone your test date. Postponement can be made up until two days AFTER the test (this is to ensure that anyone who encounters an emergency on the day of the test can still postpone.) Postponement costs a moderate fee, but is cheaper than reregistering. The simplest way to postpone your test date is to use your online LSAC account, which you created at LSAC.org when you registered for the exam.
If you are not ready to take the LSAT, then you should not take the LSAT under any circumstances! Cancellations can count against you in the admissions process. Also, you must postpone! Simply not showing up to the test will result in a note of absenteeism on your record.
Postponements do not appear on your record, which means that law schools will not know that you postponed your test. Also, there is no limit to how many times you can postpone the test.
Canceling the LSAT -- When to Cancel
Although not an ideal choice, canceling the LSAT is a much better option than keeping an inferior score. If you are uncertain about whether to cancel your LSAT, here are a few things you should consider:
- How did you score on the most recent practice LSAT you took before the exam?
Didn’t take a real, full practice test before the exam? Unless you practiced real LSAT questions and never missed a thing, you should probably go cancel your score right now. This is not a test that should be gambled on, and proper preparation is VERY important.
If you did take a real practice test before the exam, was the score high enough to get you into a school that you’re comfortable going to? If not, then GO CANCEL NOW! Many students mistakenly believe that through luck and prayer they can pull off a slightly higher score on the real test. Unfortunately, real test scores are usually slightly lower than practice scores because of stress.
Not sure whether your score is high enough to get you into the school you want? Check out the instructions in our Miscellaneous FAQ to find out.
If you took a real practice test before the exam and your score was high enough to get you into a school that you’re comfortable going to, then consider whether any other extraneous factors may have had a strong negative impact on your score. Did you get nervous and find that you didn’t answer as many questions as usual? Did something distract you badly enough that you think your score may have suffered as a result? If so, cancel your score.
If nothing unusual occurred during your test, then give yourself a day or two to reflect on how you felt while taking the test before you make any final decisions. Many people are anxious after taking a big exam. As you reflect, ask yourself whether you were more uncertain that usual when taking the exam or whether you feel certain you made any serious mistakes.
- Did you take the exam because you were worried about what your friends/family/coworkers would think if you didn’t take it?
Peer pressure is a poor reason to take an exam before you’re ready, but an even worse reason to keep a score that might not be an accurate reflection of your abilities. If you took the exam before you were ready under pressure from others, you owe it to yourself to cancel this score and retake the LSAT when YOU feel ready.
- Do you feel like you lived up to your full potential during the exam?
Nobody ever feels that an exam went perfectly; small problems will always arise. However, if you feel that your preparation was not all it could be or that your practice test scores weren’t reflecting your true potential as an applicant, then you owe it to yourself to think about canceling. You may wish to think a few days on this, though, since after-test jitters can sometimes make a person want to cancel even though they did quite well.
- Are you considering keeping your score because otherwise you would have to wait longer to apply?
This is NOT a good reason to keep an inferior score. Don’t delude yourself: stellar extra-curriculars, a high GPA, stunning personal statements, and excellent letters of recommendation WILL NOT make up for a low LSAT score. Here is an excellent article by Anna Ivey explaining a bit about the competitiveness of law school admissions and the value of the LSAT. Is Admissions a Numbers Game?
It is far better to apply late with an excellent score than to apply early with a poor score, even if this means that you may have to wait another year to apply.
- Have you already taken the LSAT once before?
If you’ve already taken the LSAT and you don’t believe this score will be at least three points higher than this score, you should cancel. Two mediocre scores can send a poor message to the admissions committee, even if they are followed by a third, higher score.
If you have any other factors not covered in this section, feel free to call us at 866-577-2673.
Canceling the LSAT – How to cancel
You can cancel your score at the test site by filling in two bubbles on your score sheet at the end of the exam. Warning: because each test contains an experimental section, you may wish to wait to cancel your exam if you had serious trouble with only one section. Often, it is possible to determine which section is experimental after the exam.
When you entered the test, you were given a sheet to fax back to cancel your score. If you cannot find the sheet you were given, send a signed fax with your request or a signed overnight letter with your request to LSAC.
LSAC Fax # -- 215.968.1119
LSAC Address –
| Law School Admission Council 622 Penn Street Box 2000 Newtown, PA 18940-0998 |
Miscellaneous Frequently Asked Questions
I have a friend who didn’t study and scored very well. Do I really need to study for this exam?
Yes. A few lucky people have already acquired the skills tested by the LSAT through other avenues in life. However, just because your friend did extremely well, do not expect to be able to do the same. It is EXTREMELY rare for a person to score well the first time they take the test. You should go to www.lsac.org and download the sample test to see how well you do.
Also, even if your friend did well without studying, further preparation may have allowed him/her to do even better. With the strong weight placed on the LSAT in admissions, it’s advisable that you prepare as much as possible in order to do as well as you possibly can.
Is there anything that I can learn from a course that I can’t learn on my own through a book?
| A quick quote from Bernadette Chimner, Griffon Prep instructor: “After teaching LSAT for so long, I’ve had a chance to see every useful technique a student can use and probably every mistake a student could make. I think the latter is what makes my instruction most valuable. A skilled teacher can help students avoid mistakes BEFORE they’re made, saving loads of valuable study time and saving precious points on test day.” See Bernie's 5 Tiny Mistakes that can Cost Big Points |
Most courses provide basic strategies for approaching each type of question on the exam. They also give you an opportunity to have your questions answered by a live person.
Most importantly, courses offer you a teacher who is knowledgeable about the exam and can give you suggestions about how to overcome your unique trouble-spots.
Is there any way to determine the experimental section after the exam?
Yes. Historically, the experimental section has always appeared in the first three sections of the exam. If, for example, you have a games section appear in both section 1 and in section 4, section 1 is probably the experimental section.
It is worth noting that although the experimental portion used to be administered in the same section for each examinee, there is some suggestion that this may have changed in February of 2007. Thus, examinees should not rely solely on comparing section orders in order to determine experimental sections.
Is any particular administration of the exam easier than any other?
No. Each exam undergoes a statistical process called “equating” to ensure that the score examinees achieve is comparable to the score they would achieve had they been given any other LSAT exam.
The ability of other test-takers will absolutely not affect your score on test day. The scale for the score has been almost entirely predetermined before the test is offered through pre-testing in the experimental sections. To equate future exams, psychometricians compare candidates’ performance on their experimental section to their performance on the corresponding scored section of the test. This method is used to construct the scale for future tests. So, for example, if candidates who took a certain experimental reading comprehension section answered, on average, two fewer questions correctly than they did on the scored reading comprehension section, then when the experimental section is used on a real test, that testing scale will allow candidates to miss two more questions in order to achieve the same score. This is a very simplified explanation, but here are some important things it illustrates:
- An ‘easier’ test will not necessarily net you a higher score. A slightly easier test will be scaled accordingly and will net you the same basic score that you would have gotten on a harder test.
- The ability of the other test takers will not affect your score on the test.
- There is no strategic advantage to be gained by taking the test during a certain administration.
Should I take a course or get tutoring?
Private tutoring is MUCH more expensive than a class. And just because 10 hours of private tutoring costs about the same as a class, the two are NOT roughly equivalent in terms of preparation. Generally speaking, if your schedule allows you to take a class, then that is generally the best place to begin. You can always combine a few hours of private tutoring with the class for the little extra help you need.
Private tutoring is like caviar: if you can afford it in abundance then you’re in good hands, but if you can only afford a little bit, don’t expect it to be a substitute for a regular meal.
Private tutoring can be advisable in certain unique situations. If you are uncertain whether you would benefit more from tutoring or a class, give us a call at 866-577-2673.
Can I wear earplugs during my test?
No. Earplugs are absolutely not allowed under any circumstances. (A full list of prohibited items can be found on pages 12-13 of the LSAT registration booklet, which can be found at LSAC's website.)
How can I get faster at answering LSAT questions?
Practice, practice, practice. As you become more comfortable with the writing style and phrasing of the test, your speed should improve. Also, speed is usually a function of accuracy. As you become more comfortable with the methodology behind finding the correct answer, you should see an increase in your speed.
Remember, only a few seconds need to be shaved off in order to pick up a large amount of time. If you can figure out a way to spend 10 fewer seconds per question debating between answer choices, you will save three and a half minutes by the time you reach question 21.
Students often overestimate the value of the final few questions they don’t get to and overlook of the value of the questions they do answer but get incorrect. If you are frustrated by the fact that you can never get to the final five questions, look over your section to see how many you did answer that you got incorrect. Often, a simpler and more effective strategy is to focus on improving your accuracy on the questions you did answer in order to get five more of those correct. The added advantage: by improving your accuracy, you’ll usually improve your speed, too because you will spend less time debating wrong answers.
When will I get my score back?
Scores are e-mailed to examinees approximately three weeks after the test. The official report date is listed on LSAC’s website, but it is worth noting that scores do usually come out a day or two before this.
How much can I expect to improve my LSAT score?
Because every person is unique in ability, experience, and knowledge, there is unfortunately no simple way to answer this question. We can tell you that many students see marked improvement in their scores after preparation, but the only way for you to know how many points you can possibly improve is to put in all the effort you can and find out.
Is there any way for me to see my score before I decide whether to cancel it?
No.
Which letter is best to guess on the exam?
Each letter appears approximately 20% of the time on the exam. Although people have run amalgamated data on the set of exams to extrapolate which answers appear most frequently at the end of each section, it must be noted that this information is not a reliable guessing strategy because it relies on two faulty assumptions:
1. What is true of LSAT exams in the past will be true of LSAT exams in the future.
2. What is true of a large group of LSAT exams will be true for any single unique LSAT exam.
Because both of these assumptions are basic logical flaws, our advice is to pick your favorite letter of A through E and use that letter as your standard guess letter.
Is there a penalty for guessing on the exam?
No, there is no penalty for guessing on the LSAT. You should fill in an answer for every question, even if it is only a blind guess.
Will a high GPA make up for a low LSAT score?
No. The LSAT is weighed for more heavily in admissions that GPA. To get an accurate picture of how the two affect admissions, we recommend visiting officialguide.lsac.org and using the LSAC data search function. Simply fill in your undergraduate GPA and a practice LSAT score. Change each score in turn by a few points to see how a higher score would affect your chance at admissions.
How can I find out the LSAT range of the schools I’m interested in?
Visit officialguide.lsac.org to begin researching law schools. This page contains information organized by a variety of search criteria. We highly recommend the LSAC Data Search, which allows you to view the basic LSAT range of schools by typing in your undergraduate GPA and an LSAT score.
Should I take the LSAT again?
If you do not believe that your LSAT score reflected your true abilities, then there may be an advantage to taking the LSAT again. However, you MUST study heavily and thoroughly in order to get your score to change. Simply taking the test a second time without further preparation will most likely result in a score very similar to your old score.
How will schools view multiple LSAT scores?
Until 2006, almost every school averaged the scores of a candidate who had multiple scores. This was done for two reasons: 1. Law schools were required by the American Bar Association to submit the average score for their data, which was used by various groups to determine law school rankings and 2. The test creators advised schools that statistically, when multiple LSAT scores were present, the average was the strongest predictor of the student’s first-year success in law school.
In 2006, the first of these two reasons changed. The American Bar Association announced that law schools could now submit only a candidate’s highest LSAT score for data reporting purposes. This resulted in many schools announcing a new policy of taking a candidate's higher score when two scores were present.
However, applicants should be cautioned that this does not mean that they can simply retake the LSAT without hesitation. Here are a few things you should consider before you run out to take the test:
- Certain schools will still be averaging multiple scores. For this reason, it is ideal to take the LSAT only once and score well.
- Every score will appear on your record, not just the highest score. Although many factors can explain a lower score (distracting test conditions, illness, inadequate preparation), few of these justify keeping a low score instead of canceling it. Law schools will wonder why you kept the lower score. However, writing an addendum isn’t necessarily a good idea, as Anna Ivey explains in her January 7th blog edition.
- The test creators still say that the average is the best predictor, and law schools are aware of this. They will not always simply assume that the highest score is the best representation of your ability, especially if the two scores are within 3 points of one another (the statistical margin of error on the LSAT).
- If you retake and get the exact same score, this can have an adverse effect on your application. The admissions committee will wonder why you took it a second time, and may question your judgment.
What is LSDAS?
LSDAS stands for the Law School Data Assembly Service. When you begin to assemble your applications to law school, you will need to register with LSDAS. LSDAS is required in order to apply to law school, but is not required in order to take the LSAT.
For more information about LSDAS, visit LSAC's Information Page.
How much time should I devote to studying for the LSAT?
As much as you possibly can. This test will dramatically affect where you get accepted for law school, and thereby, your entire future!
Don’t see your question answered here? Try LSAC’s frequently asked questions, or call us at 866.577.2673
The information in this document was compiled by Griffon Preparation Services. This document may be freely reprinted and redistributed, in part or in whole, as long as this paragraph appears in any reproduced copies.
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