The LSAT is a key player in law school admissions, often weighed just as heavily as your undergrad GPA by many top law schools. It’s a digital test, so before you dive into your prep, it’s crucial to understand what you’re up against.

What Does the LSAT Involve?

The LSAT is split into two parts. The first part has three graded sections—two on Logical Reasoning and one on Reading Comprehension—plus an ungraded experimental section that will either focus on Logical Reasoning or Reading Comprehension.

Then, there’s a second part: an unscored argumentative writing essay. This writing section is taken online, separately from the rest of the exam. You can complete it as early as eight days before your LSAT or up to a year afterward.

Although some law schools accept GRE scores, the LSAT remains the only test recognized by all ABA-accredited law schools in the U.S. and Canada. A strong LSAT score is typically the most important part of a law school application and a good predictor of how you’ll do in law school.

LSAT Question Types

The LSAT is heavy on logical reasoning and reading comprehension, and the questions come in multiple-choice format.

LSAT Reading Comprehension:
This section feels similar to reading sections on other standardized tests but focuses more on how well you understand the structure, purpose, and perspectives of the passages—not just the facts. You’ll tackle four reading passages with 5–8 questions each. One passage will be a Comparative Reading set, where you’ll compare two shorter passages on the same topic but with different perspectives. While Reading Comprehension seems familiar, it’s often one of the hardest sections to improve in.

LSAT Logical Reasoning:
Logical Reasoning is all about analyzing and evaluating arguments or drawing conclusions from sets of facts. Each question stands alone with a short passage and a specific question asking you to assess or complete the argument.

LSAT Experimental Section:
The experimental section is either extra Reading Comprehension or Logical Reasoning. It’s ungraded and used to test out future questions, but it looks exactly like the real thing, and it can pop up anywhere in your test. So, don’t waste time trying to figure out which section it is. If you see an extra section of Logical Reasoning or Reading Comprehension, you’ll know one of them was experimental, but you won’t know which.

LSAT Writing Section:
The essay part of the LSAT, called LSAT Argumentative Writing, is taken separately and gives you 50 minutes in total—15 minutes to plan and 35 minutes to write. You can do this up to a year after your test day, but it must be done to get your official LSAT score. Even if you take the LSAT more than once, you only have to do the writing part once.

Although the essay isn’t scored, it’s sent to every law school you apply to along with your LSAT score. Admissions officers often use it to evaluate your reasoning and writing skills, especially when comparing applicants with similar scores and GPAs. It also helps them confirm the authenticity of your personal statement.

How Long Is the LSAT?

The LSAT has four sections, each 35 minutes long, with a 10-minute break after the second section. In total, that’s 2 hours and 30 minutes of test time. However, your actual test day will be longer because you’ll need to check in with a proctor, verify your equipment, and go over the rules. Plan for your full LSAT day to take closer to four hours.

You’ll take the test on your computer, in a quiet space of your choice, at a time you pick within the testing window.

Prepping for the LSAT

Pacing is key when prepping for the LSAT. It’s not just about getting the answers right—it’s about truly mastering the questions. Review each question you practice, and make sure you understand it thoroughly before moving on. An LSAT tutor online can help break the test down and I offer guidance for maximized results.

How to Register for the LSAT

To register, go to your account on LSAC.org. The LSAT is offered about eight times a year, so register early as spots fill up fast. If you need accommodations, let LSAC know before the registration deadline for your chosen test date. The fee for the LSAT is $238.

Understanding Your LSAT Score

When your score arrives, you’ll see:

• An overall score ranging from 120 to 180
• A score band showing a range of possible scores based on your performance
• A percentile ranking that shows how you did compared to other test-takers over the past three years

Receiving Your Score

You’ll get your score via email about three to four weeks after your test. If you take the LSAT multiple times, law schools will see all your scores from the past five years, but they usually focus on your highest score. Schools can also see if you canceled a score, withdrew, or didn’t show up for a test. Your score stays valid for five years, which means you might want to take the LSAT sooner rather than later, while your academic skills are fresh.

Canceling Your Score

You have six days after your test to cancel your score through your LSAC account. If you cancel, the schools you apply to will know you canceled but won’t see the score. One cancellation usually doesn’t raise eyebrows, but multiple ones might.

LSAC also offers a Score Preview option, which lets you see your score before deciding whether to keep it or cancel it. There’s a fee for this, which varies depending on when you purchase the service.

How Is Your LSAT Score Used?

Your LSAT score plays a huge role in law school admissions and can even influence whether you receive merit-based scholarships. Schools often give significant tuition discounts to applicants with top scores. While a great LSAT score doesn’t guarantee you’ll get into your dream school, a low one can definitely keep you out.

Law Schools That Accept the GRE or GMAT

Several law schools now accept the GRE or GMAT instead of the LSAT. You can find a list of these schools here if you’re considering alternative testing options.