LSAT INFORMATION- Form & Content
REMOTE & TEST- CENTER OPTION FOR TAKING THE LSAT
Since 2019, the LSAT has been administered on a computer (touch-screen) tablet. During the pandemic, the LSAT adopted Remote Proctoring. As of August 2023, a Test-Center option has become available in addition to Remote Proctoring.
*NOTE: registered Remote test-takers may borrow a tablet computer in advance of the LSAT by requesting one from LSAC. Meanwhile, candidates who opt for a Test-Center Administration will be provided with a device on the day of the test.
**NOTE: Certain accommodations are best administered in a remote modality while others are best administered in a test center modality, see here for information of available accomodations
CONTENT AND FORM OF THE LSAT: 4 SECTIONS, 3 QUESTION TYPES
The LSAT is a test of some of the abilities that are essential to the study and practice of law. The LSAT is scored on a scale of 120- 180, and comprised of about 76 questions, which fall into three major questions types-- Analytical Reasoning (aka "Games"), Logical Reasoning (aka "Arguments") and Reading Comprehension (aka "Reading").
The LSAT includes three scored sections (one for each of the aforementioned question types), and a fourth unscored experimental which is used to validate new test questions for future use. The unscored section (often called a "variable" section due to its variable content) can be any one of the 3 question types and can occur at any point in the test.
Each section is 35-minutes long and there is a break of approximately 15 minutes between the second and third sections. Thus, the total testing time is approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes. The LSAT will retain this format for the foreseeable future.
CANDIDATES MUST ALSO COMPLETE AN LSAT WRITING EXAM EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER TAKING THE LSAT
In addition to the LSAT, all candidates must take an unscored LSAT Writing exam either before of after the LSAT. This written component is delivered through the LSAC LawHub. The test lasts 35 minutes and can be taken on-demand, from any location in the world with a stable internet connection. LSAT Writing becomes available to first-time LSAT takers 8 days prior to the start of their LSAT administration. Others can take the writing test after the LSAT, but no LSAT scores will be released until LSAT Writing is complete.
LSAT Writing asks candidates to choose between two positions. There are no “right” or “wrong” positions; the writing sample is designed to demonstrate a test-takers persuasive writing skills. Though it is not scaled, Law schools may examine the reasoning, clarity, organization, and language displayed in the test. Copies of LSAT Writing sample are sent to all schools along with a candidates' LSAT scores. It is unclear how LSAT Writing impacts admissions, since law schools rely almost entirely on the scored LSAT.
*NOTE: The test-writers, known as the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) maintain a webpage with copious and detailed information on every aspect of the LSAT here
Since 2019, the LSAT has been administered on a computer (touch-screen) tablet. During the pandemic, the LSAT adopted Remote Proctoring. As of August 2023, a Test-Center option has become available in addition to Remote Proctoring.
*NOTE: registered Remote test-takers may borrow a tablet computer in advance of the LSAT by requesting one from LSAC. Meanwhile, candidates who opt for a Test-Center Administration will be provided with a device on the day of the test.
**NOTE: Certain accommodations are best administered in a remote modality while others are best administered in a test center modality, see here for information of available accomodations
CONTENT AND FORM OF THE LSAT: 4 SECTIONS, 3 QUESTION TYPES
The LSAT is a test of some of the abilities that are essential to the study and practice of law. The LSAT is scored on a scale of 120- 180, and comprised of about 76 questions, which fall into three major questions types-- Analytical Reasoning (aka "Games"), Logical Reasoning (aka "Arguments") and Reading Comprehension (aka "Reading").
The LSAT includes three scored sections (one for each of the aforementioned question types), and a fourth unscored experimental which is used to validate new test questions for future use. The unscored section (often called a "variable" section due to its variable content) can be any one of the 3 question types and can occur at any point in the test.
Each section is 35-minutes long and there is a break of approximately 15 minutes between the second and third sections. Thus, the total testing time is approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes. The LSAT will retain this format for the foreseeable future.
CANDIDATES MUST ALSO COMPLETE AN LSAT WRITING EXAM EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER TAKING THE LSAT
In addition to the LSAT, all candidates must take an unscored LSAT Writing exam either before of after the LSAT. This written component is delivered through the LSAC LawHub. The test lasts 35 minutes and can be taken on-demand, from any location in the world with a stable internet connection. LSAT Writing becomes available to first-time LSAT takers 8 days prior to the start of their LSAT administration. Others can take the writing test after the LSAT, but no LSAT scores will be released until LSAT Writing is complete.
LSAT Writing asks candidates to choose between two positions. There are no “right” or “wrong” positions; the writing sample is designed to demonstrate a test-takers persuasive writing skills. Though it is not scaled, Law schools may examine the reasoning, clarity, organization, and language displayed in the test. Copies of LSAT Writing sample are sent to all schools along with a candidates' LSAT scores. It is unclear how LSAT Writing impacts admissions, since law schools rely almost entirely on the scored LSAT.
*NOTE: The test-writers, known as the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) maintain a webpage with copious and detailed information on every aspect of the LSAT here