LSAT Test

The LSAT, or Law School Admission Test, is a standardized test generally required for admission to American Bar Association (ABA) approved and often non-ABA approved law schools in the U. S. and Canada. It is administered by the Law School Admission Council, Inc. The test serves as a standardized measurement of the reading and verbal reasoning skills needed for law school.
The LSAT consists of five multiple choice sections and one writing sample section. Each of these parts is 35 minutes long. Every multiple choice section is similar in that contains one portion about reading comprehension, one employing analytical reasoning, and two utilizing logical reasoning. Only 4 out of 5 multiple choice sections are actually scored; the random remaining section is a pretest. The score scale is from 120 to 180. The remaining section consists of a writing sample which is not scored ; however, the essay is sent to the law schools to which you have applied.

The first type of multiple choice question, Reading Comprehension, addresses the candidate's ability to read and understand lengthy passages about general topics as well as law-related issues. You are asked to read a passage of about 450 words and then answer 5 to 8 questions about the writing. These questions ask about the main idea presented, the meaning of various words or phrases, information presented directly in or suggested by the text, the structure of the passage, or the tone of the author. You could also be asked to apply the information given to a new context.

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Analytical Reasoning type questions simulate the type of analysis needed by law students and lawyers to solve legal problems. They measure your ability to understand the organization of relationships and to draw conclusions about these structural relationships. After being presented with a short passage, you are asked questions relating to the assignment, order, grouping or spatial type relationships presented.

For portions addressing Logical Reasoning, you are asked to read short arguments or articles from a myriad of sources and disciplines and then answer questions that evaluate your comprehension of the writings. Typical questions ask about the point of the argument, its underlying assumptions, methods of reasoning, possible flaws of reasoning, and reasonable conclusions based only on the evidence given. You might also be asked about how additional evidence might affect the premise or conclusion of the passage.

In the Writing Sample, you are asked to write an essay either supporting or criticizing a short passage you are given in which the author makes a case for a particular course of action or an explanation of events. The task is to critically examine the author’s line of reasoning and construct your own argument in support or opposition. While this portion is not graded, law schools will be looking for your methods of reasoning, use of language, basic mechanics of writing, and the clarity and organization of your argument.

The LSAT is given 4 times a year, generally on Saturdays, and is a half-day in length. There are also Monday replacement dates for Saturday Sabbath observers. The cost is $118 U. S. or $151 Canadian. The LSAT can be taken a maximum of three times in a 2 year period. As well, you are usually required to register for the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) , which assembles candidate admission data beyond just the LSAT for an additional $109 U. S. There are numerous test sites in the United States and Canada and some foreign sites as well. Candidates can register online through the Law School Admission Council website, www.lsac.org, or by phone or mail. Score reports are available online within 3 weeks of the test or by mail within 4 weeks.

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