LSAT

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is an examination administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), intended to provide law schools in the United States and Canada with (to quote LSAC) "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 test is a half-day standardized test required for admission to all 202 law schools that are members of the LSAC.

LSAT scores range from 120 to 180, with an average LSAT score of 150, and they are not absolutes: a 180 does not necessarily mean that every question is answered correctly (you could have as many as 2-3 incorrect answers on the four scored sections and still have a score of 180), nor does a 120 necessarily mean you answered every question incorrectly.

LSAT scores are valid for 5 years. The LSAT registration fee is $123 and LSAT test dates are offered four times each academic year: in June, October, December, and February. Try to register at least six weeks before the LSAT dates to avoid late fee.

LSAT Tips

If you register for a specific LSAT administration during the regular registration period, you are not eligible for late registration for that same administration. If you observe a Saturday Sabbath, you may take the LSAT on Mondays following the regular Saturday administrations. Many law schools require that the LSAT be taken by December for admission the following fall.

LSAT scores are used by law school admissions offices primarily because they correlate to law school grade performance better than any other single criterion (including college grades) does. LSAC does not score the writing sample; instead, the essay is photocopied and sent to admission offices along with the LSAT score.

LSAT Classes

LSAT prep courses are available to students who need the reassurance. LSAT preparation courses typically cover the foregoing areas in small class sessions during the weeks prior to a scheduled LSAT test. The structure of the test and LSAT sample questions are generally known ahead of time, which allows students to practice on question types that show up frequently in examinations and avoid wasting time on question types that may appear only once or twice.

LSAC recommends that students prepare beforehand, due to the importance of the LSAT in law school admissions and because scores on the exam respond to preparation. Look LSAT logic games, an affordable LSAT course on DVD, an LSAT book, or a free LSAT prep program. However an LSAT DVD program is probably your best bet.