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| How to Prepare |
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About the LSAT
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(page 1 of 4, from
Chapter 1 of the LSAT
Center Course)
1. Intro to the LSAT 2. LSAT Scores 3. LSAT Sections 4. Test Taking tips
 The LSAT is exceedingly
important for your admissions chances and it is the most important
admissions factor at most law schools. It is administered by
the LSAC (Law School Admissions Council)
four times each year and you can take it at a nearby location.
If
you took the SAT to get into college, then you know the routine.
The test is a similar experience, but the LSAT is much harder.
The Bad
News: Taking the LSAT
is a marathon. The tests are a total of 175 minutes long and
the writing sample is 30 minutes long. Add to that some administrative
work and a break and the whole LSAT test day "experience"
will take you about 4 to 5 hours. You will have to take practice
tests in blocks of several hours to simulate the test day experience.
The Good
News: The LSAT doesn't
tend to change much from year to year. It has been essentially
the same test for ten years. This means that if you take enough
practice tests and learn the right strategies, you can effectively
prepare for the test.
Many claim the LSAT is a "beatable" test and it does seem to be highly amenable to preparation. Highly-specialized companies like PowerScore have spent years cultivating techniques to beat the LSAT.
The LSAT
Test Sections
The
Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a multiple-choice test used
by law schools to help them select candidates. The LSAT consists
of five multiple choice sections with a total of about 101 questions.
|
Section |
# of sections |
# of questions |
length |
content |
| Logical Reasoning (Arguments) |
2 |
24-26 |
35 min |
analyze statements
for logical errors |
| Analytical Reasoning (Games) |
1 |
24 |
35 min |
solve complex logical
deductive puzzles |
| Reading Comprehension |
1 |
26-28 |
35 min |
read passages and answer
questions |
| Experimental |
1 |
Depends on section |
35 min |
Depends on section |
| Writing Sample |
1 |
1 |
30 min |
Write an essay on a topic |
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In
addition to the above multiple choice sections (Logical Reasoning,
Logic Games, Reading Comprehension), you will have to produce
a Writing
Sample short essay. The
essay is not
scored, but it is sent
with your application to law schools. Law schools usually do
not use it as a significant part of your admissions process.
Nevertheless, it is important to put effort into writing this
essay in the off chance that it is read. Since many people use
admissions consultants to write their admissions essays, the
LSAT essay is the one place where admissions evaluators can see
how you actually write.
The LSAT
Center Course offers a prep guide for the multiple choice
sections and a guide to the essay questions. You can take 3 sample LSATs and take practice
essays using our essay grading service
to get feedback on your writing.
LSAT dates
& locations
The
LSAT is administered once in February, June, October, and December.
Students planning to apply for law school admission in the fall
should plan to take the test by October, although schools are
often able to use December scores. The next LSAT is September 27th, 2007.
LSAT Registration
Try to register at least six weeks before
the test to avoid late fee. If you register early, you are more
likely to get your first choice test center.
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