We have the answers to your questions about the content, structure and the types of questions you'll see on the the LSAT, as well as the costs and when to take the exam. Law school is the next step
and we have many resources to help you begin the process.
Common Questions about the LSAT
The LSAT is a half-day standardized test required for admission to all American Bar
Association (ABA) approved law schools, most Canadian law schools, and many non-ABA-approved
law schools. The test is administered by the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC).
The LSAT provides a standard measure of acquired reading and verbal reasoning skills
that law schools can use as one of several factors in assessing applicants. The test
is administered 4 times a year at hundreds of locations around the world. Many law
schools require that the LSAT be taken by December for admission the following fall.
The test consists of five 35-minute sections of multiple-choice questions. A 35-minute
writing sample is administered at the end of the test. Visit the LSAC website for more information.
The LSAT is administered 4 times per year as a paper based test. The September/October,
December, and February LSAT dates are on Saturdays. The June exam is administered
on Monday.
The LSAT is required by all American Bar Association (ABA)approved law schools, most
Canadian schools, as part of the admission process. Many other law schools also require
or accept the LSAT. Any current undergraduates, graduates, or anyone looking to pursue
Law school should take the LSAT exam.
Reading Comprehension Questions - Measure your ability to read and understand complex
materials
Analytical Reasoning Questions - Measure your ability to structure relationships and
draw logical conclusions about relationships.
Logical Reasoning - Assess your ability to analyze and evaluate arguments after reading
a short passage.
A Writing sample
The fee for the test is $175, but the price changes frequently. Late registration
and to change your test date are both $90. Check the LSAC website for cancellation fees and other fees.
Scores range from 120 to 180. Your score on the LSAT is based on the number of questions you answer correctly within
the 4 scored sections of the exam. You are not penalized for incorrect answers.
LSAC takes your raw score and translates it to a score within the standard scale range
to account for variance in difficulty on test forms.
Four of the five sections contribute to the test taker's score. LSAC uses the other
section to test new questions and/or question formats. You will not know which section
is not being scored.
The writing sample is not scored by LSAC, but is forwarded to the law schools to which
you are applying.
A good score is defined as one that gets you into the program you want, not by a number.
Check with the programs you are considering, and ask them if they have a minimum and
an average for everyone in the program to get a better idea of what a good score will
be for you. The 50th percentile for everyone that takes the test is approximately 150.
You can contact LSAC at 215-968-1001 or visit their LSAC website.
You can take the LSAT up to 3 times in a 2 year period. However, all of your scores
will be reported to the schools to which you request reporting. In the event that
you take the test multiple times, LSAT advises that schools take the average of your
test scores as an indicator of your true ability. Many schools now only consider the
higher score, but it is important to know the policy of the schools to which you apply
and perform as well as possible on the exam when you take it.
Practice tests are available free from LSAC. A previous LSAT exam is available in
PDF format at the LSAC website.
Register online for the test via the LSAC website.
You may search for an ABA-Approved Law School at LSAC website.
LSAC makes arrangements for test takers than need special accommodations. However,
you must submit an Accommodations Request Packet. The website contains information
about requesting accommodations and accommodations at ABA-approved law schools.
You must register for the LSAT before submitting your request for accommodation.