LSAT INFORMATION
ONLINE LSAT IS REMOTELY PROCTORED
Since 2019, the LSAT has been administered on a computer (touch-screen) tablet. During the pandemic the LSAT adopted remote proctoring. Given the expressed preferences of the substantial majority of test takers, the LSAT continues to be remotely-proctored. Registered test-takers may borrow a tablet computer from the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC), the organization that administers the exam.
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 question type), 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 A WRITING EXAM EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER TAKING THE LSAT
In addition to the scored components, LSAT candidates must also take an online Writing test as part of their exam. This is a non-scored essay that is separately administered online. The Writing Sample can be taken at your convenience, as early as eight (8) days prior to the date of the multiple-choice exam, or any time afterwards. However, LSAT scores will not be released until a candidate completes the writing text.
The LSAT Writing prompt will present a decision problem, and candidates are asked to choose between two positions. There are no “right” or “wrong” positions; the writing sample is designed to let you demonstrate your persuasive writing skills. Law schools will examine the reasoning, clarity, organization, language usage, and writing mechanics you display in your sample. Copies of your writing sample are sent to all schools to which you apply. The writing sample does not generally impact admissions, as law schools rely almost entirely on the scored section of the LSAT (which is typically referred to as "the LSAT").
*Note: The test-writers, known as the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) maintain a webpage with copious information on the LSAT here
Since 2019, the LSAT has been administered on a computer (touch-screen) tablet. During the pandemic the LSAT adopted remote proctoring. Given the expressed preferences of the substantial majority of test takers, the LSAT continues to be remotely-proctored. Registered test-takers may borrow a tablet computer from the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC), the organization that administers the exam.
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 question type), 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 A WRITING EXAM EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER TAKING THE LSAT
In addition to the scored components, LSAT candidates must also take an online Writing test as part of their exam. This is a non-scored essay that is separately administered online. The Writing Sample can be taken at your convenience, as early as eight (8) days prior to the date of the multiple-choice exam, or any time afterwards. However, LSAT scores will not be released until a candidate completes the writing text.
The LSAT Writing prompt will present a decision problem, and candidates are asked to choose between two positions. There are no “right” or “wrong” positions; the writing sample is designed to let you demonstrate your persuasive writing skills. Law schools will examine the reasoning, clarity, organization, language usage, and writing mechanics you display in your sample. Copies of your writing sample are sent to all schools to which you apply. The writing sample does not generally impact admissions, as law schools rely almost entirely on the scored section of the LSAT (which is typically referred to as "the LSAT").
*Note: The test-writers, known as the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) maintain a webpage with copious information on the LSAT here