Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)

"The Law School Admission Test is designed to measure skills that are considered essential for success in law school: the reading and comprehension of complex texts with accuracy and insight; the organization and management of information and the ability to draw reasonable inferences from it; the ability to reason critically; and the analysis and evaluation of the reasoning and argument of others."(1)  The LSAT is administered four times a year, June, October, December, and February.  The February test does not give you a section-by-section breakdown of your performance; only the total score is released. 

You need not register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) at the same time you register for the LSAT. 

The test should be completed one year prior to anticipated law school enrollment.  It is best to plan to take it once and do well.  Most students take the test in June after their junior year or in the fall of their senior year. 

[The half-day standardized] test consists of five 35-minute sections of multiple-choice questions.  Four of the five sections contribute to the test taker's score.  These sections include one reading-comprehension section, one analytical-reasoning section, and two logical-reasoning sections.  [The fifth section] typically is used to pretest new test questions or to preequate new test forms. (2)

The non-scored 35 minute "writing sample" section of the test is designed to measure an individual's ability to express ideas clearly and fluently.  A copy of your "writing sample" is sent to each law school to which you apply.  The test is scored on a 120-180 scale.

The national LSAT average is 153 and the UM applicant average to all U.S. law schools is 158.  Many law schools are taking the highest score if the test is taken more than one time but your CAS Report will show the average score of all tests taken.  Several law schools request an explanation on the difference in scores and look for at least a six point increase to consider the higher score.  Therefore, you should check the website of the  law school where you plan  to apply  for its exact policy.

A Fee Waiver is possible for the LSAT.  For information see www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/fee-waivers.asp

Day of Test

What to bring and what not to bring!
www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/day-of-test.asp