LSAT Prep Plan

The LSAT (Law School Admission Test) is an exceedingly important component of your law school application; LSAT Scores are generally the most important factor in the admissions process. The test is administered by the LSAC (Law School Admissions Council) eight times each year. As of September, 2019, the LSAT changed from paper-and-pencil to the new Digital LSAT.

A common misconception is that taking the LSAT is like taking the SAT again. However, most of the LSAT is entirely different from the SAT. Yes, the Reading Comprehension section is similar, but the Logical Reasoning and Analytical Reasoning sections are not. Don’t assume that because you did well or poorly on the SAT, you’ll have the same results on the LSAT. Instead, focus on mastering the new strategies and ways of thinking that the test requires.

THE BAD NEWS

This test is a marathon! The six LSAT sections are a total of 210 minutes long (plus breaks). When you add in the time for administrative work and a break, the whole LSAT test day “experience” is about 4 hours long. Time pressure on the LSAT is excruciating, and it was made worse by the new Digital LSAT, which requires you to feverishly copy your notes and game diagrams to scratch paper. To prepare for this time crunch, any practice tests you take should be administered in blocks of several hours to simulate the test day experience.

THE GOOD NEWS

The LSAT test content doesn’t tend to change much from year to year. It has been essentially the same test for over 20 years. This means that if you take enough practice tests and learn the right strategies, you can effectively prepare for the test.

Why is the LSAT so important?

Why the LSAT Matters Video Summary

  • 00:08 – There are three main reasons why law schools care about the LSAT.
  • 00:12 – 1. The LSAT is the common denominator that applies to all law school applicants.
  • 00:34 – 2. LSAT scores are the top academic factor used by U.S. News and World Report in their algorithm that generates a law school’s ranking.
  • 01:03 – 3. The LSAT score is the factor in an application that is most predictive of success in the first year of law school.

Video Courtesy of Kaplan. Find Kaplan classes near you.

The LSAT Test Sections

The LSAT consists of five multiple choice sections (in Logical ReasoningAnalytical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension) and a Writing Sample. There is a total of about 101 questions.

Logical Reasoning (Arguments)

Read short passages and answer questions.

  • 24-26 questions
  • 35 minutes

Analytical Reasoning
(Logic Games)

Solve complex, deductive logic puzzles.

  • 24 questions
  • 35 minutes

Reading Comprehension

Read longer passages and answer questions.

  • 26-28 questions
  • 35 minutes

Experimental

The experimental section is either a Logical Reasoning, Logic Games, or Reading Comprehension section, but it is not factored into your score. It is used by LSAC to prepare future tests. There is no indication of which section is the experimental section.

  • Ungraded
  • 35 minutes
  • Depends on the section

Writing Sample

Write a short essay. The essay is not scored, but it is sent with your application and LSAT scores to law schools. Usually law schools do not use it as a significant factor in weighing admissions decisions. Nevertheless, it is important to put effort into writing this essay, as it may be reviewed by admissions officers. Since many applicants use consultants to write their admissions essays, the LSAT Writing Sample is one place for admissions evaluators to see how you actually write.

  • Ungraded
  • 30 minutes

Next LSAT: Sep 08/ Sep 09

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Next LSAT: Sep 08/ Sep 09