What is on the LSAT?
LSAT Sections
The LSAT consists of three scored sections:
In addition to the three scored sections, you’ll complete:
An “experimental” section that is unscored. This section can be any of the three types listed above.
A 35-minute writing section. Your essay will not be graded and will not impact your LSAT score, but it will be sent to law schools along with your LSAT score report.
LSAT Analytical Reasoning (a.k.a. Logic Games)
The LSAT Analytical Reasoning section is basically a complicated, madness-inducing version of the sorting or matching puzzles you can find in the back of a newspaper.
In each of the four “games” that appear in an Analytical Reasoning section, you’ll be given a scenario and rules governing that scenario. For instance, maybe you’ll see a list of restrictions concerning the order in which bands can play at a music festival.
After carefully reviewing the restrictions, you’ll answer about 6 questions for each “game.” These questions might ask you to identify a lineup that conforms to all of the rules, or you may have to make inferences based on the given rules, or you could be given additional rules and asked how those impact the line-up.
LSAT Logical Reasoning (“Short Arguments”)
Each LSAT Logical Reasoning (LR) section contains about 25 multiple choice questions. These questions follow a short passage that presents an argument. After reading that argument (which is typically less than 100 words), LSAT test-takers are asked to do tasks such as the following:
● Strengthen the argument
● Weaken the argument
● Identify the role of different segments of the argument
● Identify assumptions underlying a conclusion
● Resolve an apparent paradox or discrepancy
● Infer a conclusion based on given facts
For more on how to approach these questions, please check out our Beginner’s Guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning.
LSAT Reading Comprehension (“Long Passages”)
Each LSAT Reading Comprehension (RC) section contains four passages that are about 3 to 5 paragraphs in length. Passages often cover a topic such as economics, science, art, or history, and are followed by 6-7 multiple choice questions.
The point of these LSAT Reading Comprehension passages is not to test subject-specific knowledge. Instead, they test the ability to read and comprehend written material, even when it may cover an unfamiliar subject. On RC questions, test-takers are often required to:
● Identify primary purpose and main ideas
● Infer conclusions
● Discern logical structure
● Recognize style and tone
For more on how to approach these questions, please check out our Beginner’s Guide to LSAT Reading Comprehension.
The LSAT Experimental Section
Only three sections actually contribute to your LSAT score: one Analytical Reasoning section, one Logical Reasoning section, and one Reading Comprehension section.
However, you’ll encounter one additional section that is not scored. This section is included so that questions can be tested out before they appear in future versions of the LSAT.
If you see two sections of the same type – for instance, two Reading Comprehension sections – then you’ll know that one of those two sections is graded and the other one is experimental. However, you won’t know which one is which. That means that you need to treat every section as if it’s scored – you risk ruining your LSAT score if you slack off because you think that a particular section is unscored.
The LSAT Writing Sample
The LSAT Writing Sample:
Does NOT impact your LSAT score, and
Is NOT a big factor in law school admissions.
… so, you can relax.
You don’t have to complete the writing sample on the same day that you take the LSAT – you can take it up to 8 days before your LSAT test, or any time after your LSAT test. However, you won’t be able to see your LSAT score until you submit the writing sample, so it’s probably best to knock it out sooner rather than later.
How the LSAT Writing Sample works
You’ll complete the 35-minute LSAT Writing Sample on your own computer. Just set up an appointment, make sure that you meet the space and technical requirements, and go from there. Here are some FAQ’s compiled by LSAC, check it out if you have any questions about the LSAT Writing Sample process. (Fun fact: it’s ok if your pet wanders into the room while you complete your essay, but other humans are strictly prohibited.)
The LSAT Writing Sample prompt
You’ll be given a scenario with two potential resolutions. For example, perhaps there are two locations where a town could build a new elementary school.
Then you’ll get more information about the scenario – in this case, you might learn about the town’s priorities (reaching underserved populations, reducing the length of school bus routes, etc). You’ll also be given some advantages and disadvantages to each of the options – for example, maybe one site is a great location, but the price is very high and would limit the budget for teacher salaries.
After reviewing this information, you’ll have to choose a side and write a persuasive essay to back up your recommendation.
There is no word limit, but you only have 35 minutes to complete this task. So, keep your essay tight and well-organized to ensure that you finish on time.
Why the LSAT Writing Sample isn’t very important for law school admissions
Again, the LSAT writing sample doesn’t impact your LSAT score. In fact, it isn’t scored at all: it’s simply sent along to schools with your LSAT score report.
You’ll also provide the schools with other examples of your writing, such as your statement of purpose or other application essays. These other writing samples can tell a school much more about your story than the LSAT writing sample can.
The purpose of the LSAT writing sample is to show schools how well you write under time pressure and without the assistance of an editor. This might be important for certain candidates if, for example, an admissions official has some reason to doubt the candidate’s writing ability.
However, it’s unlikely that anyone takes the time to carefully read most LSAT writing samples when considering an application. There are just too many other data points that offer better insight into a candidate’s ability to succeed in law school.