LSAT

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). It is a digital, standardized test of reading comprehension and logical reasoning, the skills law schools consider essential for success in legal study, and it is required or accepted by law schools in the United States, Canada, and a growing number of other countries.

Why the LSAT Matters

Law schools weigh LSAT scores heavily because the test is an effective predictor of first-year performance. Admissions committees also use scores to distinguish between candidates with similar GPAs. A higher score can offset a lower GPA and can lead to scholarship offers, while a lower score may need to be balanced by a strong academic record, personal statement, and other accomplishments.

Test Structure

The multiple-choice LSAT has four 35-minute sections: two scored Logical Reasoning sections, one scored Reading Comprehension section, and one unscored variable section that may be either Logical Reasoning or Reading Comprehension. The variable section is used to pretest new questions and looks exactly like a scored section, so treat every section as if it counts. A 10-minute intermission falls between the second and third sections. The Analytical Reasoning (logic games) section is no longer part of the LSAT.

Section	Questions	Time	WhatItMeasures
LogicalReasoning(2scored	About24–26per	35mineach	Analyzing evaluating andcompletingshort , ,
sections)	section		arguments:assumptions flaws inferences , , ,
			strengtheningandweakening andparallelreasoning ,
ReadingComprehension(1	About26–28	35min	Understandingdensepassages:fourpassagesets ,
scoredsection)			oneofthemacomparativereadingpair
Unscoredvariablesection	Varies	35min	AnadditionalLogicalReasoningorReading
			Comprehensionsectionusedtopretestquestions
LSATArgumentativeWriting	1essay	50min	Takinganddefendingapositiononadebatable
			issue;unscored completedseparatelyonline and , ,
			senttolawschools

Scoring

Your raw score is the number of questions you answer correctly in the three scored sections. Every question carries equal weight, and there is no penalty for wrong answers, so answer every question. The raw score is converted to the 120–180 scale so that scores are comparable across administrations. Your score report also shows a percentile rank, a score band, and the results of all your reportable tests.

Scores near 150 fall close to the middle of all test takers. Many

An optional service lets you see your score and decide within

competitive programs admit students with scores above 160,

six calendar days whether to keep or cancel it. It costs less if

and the most selective schools typically admit students in the

purchased before testing begins.

170s.

Test Delivery and Test-Day Rules

The LSAT is now taken in person at Prometric test centers. Remote testing is available only by exception: for candidates with approved accommodations that cannot be provided at a test center, and for candidates who document that they live more than 180 miles or three hours of travel from the nearest center. After you register, you schedule your seat through Prometric during an assigned scheduling window.

Exam at a Glance

ExamAspect	Details
Administeredby	LawSchoolAdmissionCouncil(LSAC);registerthroughyourLSAConlineaccount
Format	Digital; four 35 -minute multiple-choice sections (three scored) plus LSAT Argumentative Writing
Delivery	InpersonatPrometrictestcenters;remotetestingonlyforapprovedexceptions
Testdates	OfferedinAugust September October November January February April andJune , , , , , , ,
Scoring	120–180scale;rawscoreequalsnumbercorrect;nopenaltyforwronganswers
Fees	LSATregistration$253(includesLSATArgumentativeWriting);CredentialAssemblyService$219;
	$45perlawschoolreport;ScorePreview$46beforetestingor$87after;LSACfeewaiversavailable
	toeligiblecandidates
Testinglimits	Uptofivetimesinthecurrentreportablescoreperiodandseventimesinalifetime;canceledscores
	counttowardthelimits whileabsencesandwithdrawalsdonot Atesttakerwhoearnsa180maynot , .
	retestwithinthereportableperiod
Scorereporting	Scoresarereleasedonasetdateforeachadministrationonceanapprovedwritingsampleisonfile;
	ascoreremainsreportableforfivetestingyearsaftertheyearitisearned

Test dates, fees, and policies are set by LSAC for each testing year. Confirm deadlines and your scheduling window in your LSAC account when you register.