AmorRoark
Bluelight Crew
Welcome! You are Entering the Wonderful World of LSATs!
Disclosure: This is not 100% verified information. Please don't assume any of my knowledge before you take serious steps toward applying for law schools. Also, please correct any mistakes you should find. Thanks!
The LSAT is the basic examination used throughout the United States by accredited law schools to help determine which students they will admit.
Signing Up to Take the LSAT
It's solely administered by the Law School Acceptance Council (LSAC). It is administered 4 times a year on a Saturday (or Sunday for Sabbath test takers) February, June, September & December. It takes about 4 1/2 hours (including a small break) & starts at 8:00 AM. From my experience they usually happen at a university or college of some sort.
There are strict deadlines about how late you can sign up for a particular test. Also, the spots are known to fill up quickly (especially if you live in a fairly urbanized area). You can see the deadlines here. Right now it costs $132 to take the test.
LSAT Sections
The LSAT is similar to the SAT or ACT in terms of use by higher education but is very different in terms of content. The test has 4 multiple choice sections and 1 writing section.
- Reading Comprehension (MC)
This is fairly similar to the reading comprehension section on the SAT or ACT. You read a passage and answer questions that relate to the structure, central theme etc. From my experience and what I've read it seems reading comprehension is somewhat difficult to improve upon.
[*]Logical Reading (MC)
Generally, this section has the testee read a passage where the writer is making an argument. The MC questions relate to sorting out logical jumps or fallacies, what a better argument would be etc.
[*]Analytical Reasoning (MC)
These are often referred to as 'logic games' and there are 4 puzzles in the entire section. To people who aren't naturally good at this complex level of logic they may seem very difficult when you start studying. They were to me. However, these are, IMO, the most learnable. By that I mean I think they're the area which the most improvement may be made in preparing for the test by studying/taking classes. I have heard similar sentiments from peers.
[*]Unscored Section (MC)
The unscored section is an area which the LSAC uses to 'try out' questions. It will look almost exactly like another section listed above. Test takers don't know which of the three sections above will be used again. Additionally, you don't officially know which of the two repeated sections will count and which will be unscored. Therefore, it is important that the test taker treat all the sections as if they will be scored.
[*]Writing Section
This is always the last section of the test. The writing section is set up so that the reader is prompted with a question in which a decision must be made. The test taker writes out their decision and the criteria they used to make that decision. It's basically another way to show your logic and argument skill.
Like the unscored multiple choice this section isn't scored by the LSAC either therefore it doesn't affect your final score. However, the LSAC cautions law school hopefuls not to simply ignore the writing section because law schools do have access to them via your finalized application which is compiled by the LSAC. That said, it's fairly uncommon for a law school to actually read your writing sample. It is possible that if you're on the cusp of being admitted or are looking to top tier schools they may have more incentive to read your writing section. Thus, people should take it seriously.
Scoring the LSAT
The scores are sent out via e-mail a couple weeks after taking the test. The scores are on a scale from 120-180. The LSAC curves the actual #s of correct answers so they fit in their model. Thus, if everybody gets a lot wrong it's still to scale versus a year where everybody does really well. About half the people taking the test get a score between 145 -155.
The average score at a top law school is around 170 (minimum) - 175.
Possible Application Requirements
As I briefly mentioned in a previous paragraph, the LSAC compiles all the items needed for a completed application based on each law school's criteria.
- LSAT score - all schools ask for this and will be automatically included in your packet by the LSAC
- Transcripts - sometimes just college but usually both high school & college transcripts. They're looking obviously at your grades and the courses you took.
- Proof of Graduation - I apologize, I don't remember how to provide this
- Letters of Recommendation (LOR) - If I remember right you may have up to 5 letters. I remember reading it is normal to have 3 or 4.
- Resume
- Personal Statement - The law schools provide the possible areas to write on and usually deal with personal experiences, why you want to go to law school... you get it.
- Application Fee - The cost of each application usually ranges from $20-60 from my experience.
Weight of Each Application Requirement on Admittance
Though there are a lot of items that law schools may request, each item has a significantly different amount of weight in admissions. Generally, IMO and from what I've read most law schools break down the % of importance as such:
- LSAT Score - 75-85%
- GPA - 15-25%
- Everything Else - very little (usually only used if you're on the bubble for admissions
That said, what law school admissions councils look at vary and may put more or less weight on any factor depending on their system/policy/philosophy. So it is entirely possible that the first two items I've listed are worth significantly less to a certain law school.
Preparing for the LSAT
Therefore, clearly, it is imperative to study your ass off for the LSAT. If you don't do well you might not get into any law school at all. I forgot the % of people who take the LSAT and don't end up at law school but it was definitely significant. I would recommend taking a prep class or two. I know Kaplan provides these in all areas of the country. I didn't take the classes and just took the LSAT after studying on my own. Thank God I studied a lot through workbooks, otherwise I'm not sure I'd make it.
There are several books that help outline a timeline of how to successfully study. Generally, it seems these books suggest it (should considering how long you should study) take about a year total to complete the process.
Regardless of their weight, you only have a certain amount of time to get all these items in to the LSAC. Much of it may be done online via attachments which is very helpful. Actually, most of the process of getting applications in is done online at: http://www.lsac.org/ . It might seem complicated at first but their staff is very helpful by explaining things. Plus, they have an online forum to help people with navigating the site.
Retaking the LSAT
Didn't do well on your first test? You're not necessarily doomed. You can decide to sign up for the test again. The LSAT allows people to retake the LSAT 3x in 5 years. However, they will average your two scores and the universities will know that there are two scores (thus know you didn't do well the first time). Additionally, you cannot pick which score to show to the law schools... it must be the averaged score. If you retake it and don't think you did much better I believe it's sage to cancel the score. If you cancel the score you will never know how well you did. However, your score won't be averaged and the law schools won't know you took it a second time. You have a few days to decide whether to cancel which will be done online, or you can cancel at the actual test site the day of the test.
Helpful Resources
http://www.lsac.org/
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/index.php - #1 source IMO for help on this
http://www.lawschooldiscussion.org/prelaw/ - good forums too
http://officialguide.lsac.org/UGPASearch/Search3.aspx?SidString= - decent LSAT/GPA calculator
I hope this helps in terms of at least a vague introduction of the FUN and EXCITING (
) process involving law school admissions.
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