What Are the LSATs?
The Law School Admission Test, or LSAT, is a standardized test developed and put into use in 1948. The test has gone through various revisions through the years, both in regard to content and scoring practices. The LSAT is utilized today by all American Bar Association-accredited law schools as a means of providing a more objective methodology through which potential law students can be evaluated.
Test Composition
In its present incarnation, the LSAT is composed of five sections containing multiple-choice questions. Four of these sections are scored; a fifth section comprises experimental questions and is not scored but is used in the development of questions on future examinations. Finally, there is an additional section devoted to a writing sample, which is not scored.
The four scored sections of the LSAT address logical reasoning (two separate sections), analytical reasoning and reading comprehension.
Logical Reasoning
Each of the two logical-reasoning sections includes a series of questions that illustrate a set of facts or an argument. Following each question, you are directed to identify a statement that would enhance or weaken the point of argument, identify a logical error in the argument, or identify the argument's essential assumption. Although the question order is random, the questions do tend to progress from the easiest to the most complex.
Analytical Reasoning
The analytical-reasoning section of the LSAT often is referred to as games of logic. The material in this section generally requires you to order, group or match different items presented. Each individual query includes a setup that provides some basic information pertaining to the particular situation. You are directed to make certain deductions from the limited information provided.
Reading Comprehension
In recent years, this section of the examination consists of three individual passages, each containing about 500 words. You are directed to identify the author's main idea or theme, draw certain inferences from the material, describe how the passage is structured and identify certain, specific pieces of information from the text. There are typically as many as eight questions for each passage.
There is an additional comparative reading section that sets forth different perspectives on one particular topic or matter.
Writing Sample
The writing sample section of the LSAT is at the end of the examination. You are presented with a particular problem and two identified criteria for formulating a decision. You must select an option and write the essay favoring one of these criteria over the other. Controversial subjects are avoided so that you aren't likely to have a strong, preexisting bias toward the topic.
Scoring
Different scoring systems and scales have been used with the LSAT through the years. The current system runs from 120 to 180, and the median score is approximately 151. When you apply to law school, the LSAT score automatically is reported to that institution. Without knowing your score, you can cancel this report within six calendar days of the test.
Although the score from that particular test session will not be reported to any law school, a law school at which you apply in the future will be advised that a test was taken on that date.
You can take the LSAT multiple times.
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