The Law School Admission Test (or LSAT) is a half-day standardized test that is required for admission to all 200 plus LSAC (Law School Admissions Council) member schools. The LSAT provides a standard measure of acquired reading and verbal reasoning skills that law schools can use as one of several factors in assessing applicants.
The LSAT consists of five 35-minute sections of multiple-choice questions. One of the five sections is "experimental" in that the LSAC uses that section to try out new questions for possible use in future tests. You will not know which section is the experimental one, and trying to guess, thereby giving less than your all because you think you have spotted the experimental section, is a frequent cause of students doing poorly.
The LSAT consists of 2 logical reasoning sections, 1 analytical reasoning section, 1 reading comprehension section, the experimental section and a 30-minute writing sample. The writing sample is not scored but is forwarded as part of your file to law schools which you apply. Law schools often use the writing sample as one factor of determining admissions.
The LSAT is designed to measure the skills that are considered necessary for students to succeed in law schools.
The LSAT is offered at testing centers across the nation four times each year. The testing dates typically are in June, October, December, and February. To enhance your prospect of admission to law school you should try to take the test either in the June between your junior and senior years or October of your senior year.
Registration for the LSAT can be done electronically by visiting the LSAC Web site.
All students planning on taking the LSAT need to acquire the LSAT & LSDAS Information Book which is free. Copies are available in the Pre-Law Advisement Center (423 Schroeder Hall) or you can order a free copy from the LSAC Web site.
