What you need to know about the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test) – updated to include the structural changes implemented in August 2024.
The LSAT is the test required for admission to every law school in the United States. It is a time-intensive test consisting of four sections of multiple-choice questions: Logical Reasoning (2 sections), Reading Comprehension (1 section), and a variable section (unscored), along with a Writing Sample (unscored), which is completed separately from the test at a time of your choosing. You are given 35 minutes per section.
Law schools thrive on numbers, and along with a strong GPA, the LSAT is the most integral quantitative factor for your admission to a top law school. Law school admissions weigh your LSAT score significantly, about two-thirds on it and one-third on your GPA.
The LSAT is scored on a scale from 120-180. To be competitive at the top 25 law schools, your score should be 160 and above, while the top 10 law schools are more competitive, and you must strive for a 170 or higher. Each point makes a huge difference in your score and increases your odds at top schools.
When should you take the LSAT?
Students who plan to go to law school immediately after receiving their undergraduate degree should take the test the summer after their junior year. Work professionals should plan to take the test a full year before attending law school. Law schools typically have rolling admissions, meaning they admit students as they receive completed applications. Applying in September or October is considered early; it is also the ideal time to apply to secure your seat in a law school. Submitting your application in November is considered on time, submitting in December is late, and applying in January and February is obscenely late. Check closing dates for each law school you will apply to, but plan to compile each of the required application components and get your application in early.
How to prepare for the LSAT
The LSAT is known for being a fiercely challenging exam that tests your logic, analytical skills, reading comprehension, and writing skills. Preparing for it should be like a full-time job, spending hundreds of hours studying. Start by familiarizing yourself with the structure of the test, utilizing important resources that will help you prepare for the test best. Seek out the best LSAT practice prep books, providing you with practice tests and test-taking strategies, enroll in an LSAT prep course, hire a tutor, or find a group to study with and plan to take many full-length practice exams, simulating what the real timed test will be like.
Reading comprehension and speed reading are two traits you should focus on through the study process to help with the overall test. As explained, the LSAT is a timed test, and reading through each question quickly while comprehending pertinent information is vital for every question. As time management will be essential during the test, these traits will prove to serve you well. Research tips to improve your reading speed and reading comprehension.
All sections of the LSAT are important, so make sure you are not spending most of your time studying on your weaknesses but also concentrating on your strengths as well. Those who come from a humanities background will want to brush up on their problem-solving skills to do well on the logical reasoning sections, while those with STEM backgrounds will want to brush up on their writing, reading, and analyzing skills.
Planning days to simulate the “real” test day every few months is highly recommended to allow yourself time management, reading comprehension, and speed-reading practice while also familiarizing you with the structure and format of the test. The night before a test simulation, set up a quiet space, have a full-length practice test ready, and place a timer next to your workstation. Get a good night’s sleep, eat a fulfilling breakfast in the morning, and take the test at a set time as if it were the real one. After the test, figure out your score and assess how you did: sections of the test you need to work on, time management flow, reading comprehension, and other strategies that will benefit you.
Test Day Score Option
You’ve completed the test, and maybe you feel great, or maybe you don’t. If you are not feeling confident in how you did, you have the option to cancel your score. While admissions will see you have canceled your score, it does not harm your application. A low LSAT score is more detrimental than canceling your score. One or two canceled scores are normal, but you don’t want to cancel multiple test dates, as this could raise red flags, perhaps sending the message that you are not ready for the demands of law school.
Bottom Line
Your LSAT score and undergraduate GPA are the two most influential factors in your law school application. Law school admission teams are seeking students with the best numbers. You must strive for the highest GPA within your undergraduate major and earn the highest LSAT score possible. A significantly high LSAT score will always outweigh your GPA.
If you’re looking for additional assistance in your college admissions journey, look no further than Solomon Admissions Consulting. We’re here to help, contact us today!
(Updated: Sept. 2024, Originally published June 2023)
Former Admissions Reader at Duke University,
Former Undergraduate Advising Coordinator at George Mason University,
4 years in Duke University Admissions
2 years in George Mason University Admissions
1,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated
Kelly earned a Masters of Education at George Mason University where she also engaged in student advising support. Kelly joined the undergraduate admissions team at Duke University where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of applications per year and provided admit recommendations for committee review.
