Similar to how the SAT and ACT are used by colleges as a measure of whether a student will be successful, the LSAT, or Law School Admission Test, is used by law schools to determine whether an applicant will be an asset to a university. Almost all prospective law students are required to submit their LSAT scores as part of their application. (Some schools will accept a student’s GRE scores, but for the best chance of admission, the Law School Admission Council recommends submitting LSAT scores.)
Text and design by: Anna Palmer
Like other standardized tests, the LSAT tests your ability to comprehend and understand complex materials. You’ll have to sit through one section of each reading comprehension analytical reasoning, and writing, and two sections of logical reasoning.
- In the reading comprehension section, you’ll be given a written passage, similar in difficulty to what you’ll be asked to read in law school and asked to answer questions about it; you don’t need background knowledge of the subject matter to correctly answer the questions.
- Analytical reasoning questions are almost like logic puzzles. For example, you may be given a written set of statements and asked to draw conclusions about what else must be true based on the information that you have. Questions typically don’t relate to law.
- The logical reasoning section provides you with a short passage and then asks questions that are designed to test your understanding of arguments. Not only will you need to be able to identify an argument, but you’ll also be asked to disprove arguments and identify relevant information.
- The unscored writing section tests your ability to respond to a prompt, create an organized and well-developed argument, and appropriately use the English language.
Visit lsac.org to register for the LSAT, learn more about the format of the test, or request accommodations. Good luck!
