While more law schools are accepting GRE results, the LSAT remains the gold standard for admission at most institutions, requiring applicants to secure a high score to help them stand out from the crowd.
Though students may have developed good study habits in college, it’s not a given those same skills will allow them to do well on the LSAT, said Glen Stohr, senior manager of prelaw products at Kaplan.
“It is an abstract exam that tests logical reasoning, argument analysis and a different type of reading comprehension,” said Stohr, who has been teaching LSAT test takers for 29 years. “It’s about recognizing and understanding patterns. Thus, it’s more like learning how to play a musical instrument or a sport than studying for an undergraduate test, so the more a student practices the better the person will do on the exam.”
Created and administered by the Law School Admission Council, the current LSAT contains four multiple choice sections — two focus on logical reasoning, one tests reading comprehension and an additional experimental portion (either logical reasoning or reading comprehension) is used to help shape future questions on the exam.
Only three sections are scored, but there’s no way to know which part is the un-scored experimental part, so students are advised to work on each section as though it is part of the test, Stohr said.
“The reading comprehension component in the LSAT is not about memorizing the details of the passage,” Stohr said. “Students need to focus on the author’s intentions and the passage’s purpose (e.g., to persuade, rebut or predict).”
The Analytical Reasoning section (commonly known as logic games) is no longer part of the LSAT. The last test to contain those questions was given in June 2024.
In addition to the exam itself, students are required to complete an essay assignment called LSAT Argumentative Writing. It is available eight days prior to a test taker’s official exam date and must be completed within one year after that date. Students who repeat the test will only be required to complete the essay once.
“This part is separate from your score, but it does go to the admissions office,” Stohr said. “Most admissions officers tell me they read the essay. By itself it is seldom the reason for acceptance, but it may be the reason you don’t get in if your response indicates you did not take it seriously.”
The LSAT generally takes two and a half hours to complete and includes four 35-minute sections and a 10-minute break.
Stohr said test takers should log in 30 minutes before the test begins to meet their online proctor and complete a scan of their testing space to make sure they don’t have any forbidden items and do a technology check.
Students receive their results approximately three weeks after taking the test, a 120- to 180-scaled score in whole number increments.
“The scaled score is based on the test taker’s raw score, which is purely the number of correct answers that they get,” Stohr said. “There is no partial credit and no wrong-answer penalties. Thus, it is strategic to at least guess on every question.”
The LSAC creates a score conversion table, raw to scaled, for each test to keep the scores comparable for each testing cohort, Stohr added.
The good news is a student’s initial LSAT score doesn’t have to be the charm.
The exam is given eight times per year and students can take the test up to five times within a five-year period, and as many as seven in their lifetimes.
Although all the scores are sent to the schools, only the highest is considered.
Mastering the LSAT
Steve Schwartz, founder and chief executive officer of the prep company LSAT Unplugged, said the median score is between 152 and 153, but most students will want to aim higher.
“A decent score is considered 160 or above, but students who want to get into a top school typically need to get 170 or above,” Schwartz said.
Though repeating the exam does not technically count against them, he advised against taking the LSAT cold.
“Some students use their first exam as a practice test just to see how they do,” Schwartz said. “The test is expensive, and schools will know how many times it’s been taken; and most importantly you can burn a chance to take the test needlessly.”
Stohr said those who take the test three or more times should include an addendum to their applications, explaining the reasons behind the lower scores (i.e., illness or technology issues).
In addition, Stohr said he encourages everyone to take advantage of the score preview option that allows students to see and cancel their results before they are sent to the law schools. The option does make the LSAT more costly and although schools don’t get the results, the exam still reduces a student’s potential re-do opportunities.
Stohr said Kaplan advises students to prepare thoroughly with expert learning, reading and full-length practice to help boost confidence to reach their goal scores on test day.
Given the cost and preparation time, Stohr said it’s better to have a clear picture going into the exam, increasing the chances to get an optimal score on the first try.
Schwartz said he recommends spending a minimum of three months prepping, dedicating an average of two to three hours each day.
“To do well on the LSAT students must learn to recognize patterns and understand their mistakes,” Schwartz said. “It is not about checking the answer key and avoiding the same issue down the road, the key is drilling down to the root cause.”
He said students should take as many practice exams as possible to become comfortable with the length of the exam and learn how to pace themselves.
Schwartz said students should evaluate all preparation options, including online resources and formal programs, before deciding what is right for them and seek advice from someone who has successfully navigated the process.
“Everyone has a different study style,” Schwartz said. “The keys are accuracy, pacing and endurance. Students need to build a strong foundation and develop a familiarity with the different reasoning patterns and sections within the LSAT.”
Stohr recommended test takers dedicate between 100 and 200 hours to completing practice tests, quizzes and learning the different question types.
“Students should spend as much time reviewing the answers and understanding the explanation as they did taking their practice tests,” Stohr said.
In addition to understanding the patterns and reasoning behind the questions, students need to master the time management aspect of the test by practicing under timed conditions, he added.
“Whatever preparation method one chooses, don’t wing it,” Stohr said. “It’s important not only to learn the patterns that exist but also to know how to use them effectively.
Beyond making admission decisions, Stohr said law schools use LSAT scores to help determine which applicants receive financial assistance and scholarships.
Paula Franzese, professor and special counsel for Attorney Ethics, Leadership and Professionalism at Seton Hall University School of Law in New Jersey and author of the book “A Short & Happy Guide to Being a Law Student,” also said students should take as many practice tests as possible to develop a robust familiarity with the nature of the questions.
“Repetition is the parent of mastery,” Franzese said. “With each practice opportunity comes the very helpful process of trial and error,” Franzese said.
Where iPhones and social media can be immensely distracting and the quick clips on sites like TikTok can compromise sustained attention spans, students may find the long-form reading comprehension portions of the test particularly challenging, she added.
Avoid test day jitters
No matter how much time one dedicates to preparation, avoiding test day jitters can be challenging.
In addition to being adequately prepared, the venue in which a student chooses to take the test can also play a key role in stress levels.
Except for students who receive specific accommodations, the LSAT must be taken at a testing center or off-site in a location of the person’s choosing.
Schwartz said selecting a quiet place free of distractions and getting into a pre-test routine the week leading up to the exam are key.
“I recommend waking up at the same time each day, having a good breakfast and taking an entire practice test in the location you have selected for the actual test, if possible,” Schwartz said. “Establishing a routine beforehand will make students feel that they have already done this before and take a lot of the pressure off.”
He also recommends practicing mindfulness meditation in the weeks leading up to the test, including deep breathing to help alleviate nerves.
If a student opts to take the LSAT online versus at a testing center, he said it’s important to make sure others who live in the same dwelling are aware so as to avoid interruptions.
“You don’t want someone to walk in the room while you are testing or have household members hogging the WiFi,” Schwartz said.
Franzese said it’s important that students maintain a healthy attitude when preparing for the LSAT and added that exam performance is enhanced by calm.
“Keep fear at bay by remembering that there are do-overs and second chances,” she said. “Moreover, this exam’s importance pales in comparison to the importance of keeping the dream to be a lawyer top of mind.”
