LSAT Preparation Guide

LSAT Overview

The LSAT (Law School Admission Test) is required for admission to most U.S. and Canadian law schools. It measures skills critical to law school success: reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning.

Key facts:

• Administered by LSAC (Law School Admission Council)
• Offered multiple times per year
• Scores valid for 5 years
• Many schools accept the GRE as an alternative

Test Sections

Logical Reasoning (Arguments)

Two scored sections with approximately 25 questions each. You'll analyze short arguments, identify flaws, draw conclusions, and strengthen or weaken arguments.

Reading Comprehension

One scored section with 4 passages and 26-28 questions. Passages cover law, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. One passage is "comparative reading" with two shorter related passages.

Analytical Reasoning (Logic Games)

One scored section with 4 games and approximately 23 questions. You'll arrange elements according to rules and answer questions about possible arrangements.

Unscored Section

One experimental section that doesn't count toward your score. You won't know which section is experimental.

Writing Sample

A 35-minute essay administered separately. Not scored but sent to law schools.

Scoring

LSAT scores range from 120 to 180:

• 150: Approximately 50th percentile (average)
• 160: Approximately 80th percentile
• 170: Approximately 97th percentile
• 175+: Top 1% of test takers

Your raw score (number correct) is converted to a scaled score. There's no penalty for wrong answers, so answer every question.

Preparation Strategy

Timeline

Most students need 3-6 months of dedicated preparation. Start early enough to retake if needed.

Study Approach

• Take a diagnostic: Know your starting point
• Learn the fundamentals: Understand question types and strategies
• Practice under timed conditions: Timing is critical
• Review every mistake: Understand why you got questions wrong
• Take full practice tests: Build stamina and timing

Section-Specific Tips

• Logical Reasoning: Learn to identify argument structure. Most questions test a handful of core concepts.
• Logic Games: This section is the most learnable. Practice until diagramming becomes automatic.
• Reading Comp: Read for structure and main points. Don't get lost in details.