Ivy League Graduate Tutors

LSAT

Learn about the LSAT exam.

Exam Overview

keyboard_arrow_down

About

keyboard_arrow_down

The LSAT exam is used by law schools in their admissions processes to predict how well prospective students will perform in their first year at law school.

Students seeking to take the LSAT can do so remotely from home, or in-person at a testing center. The exam is entirely digital.

Composition

keyboard_arrow_down

The LSAT consists of five sections. The first four of these sections last 35 minutes and are entirely multiple-choice. Only three multiple-choice sections are scored.

Multiple-choice questions fall into one of two categories: Reading Comprehension and Logical Reasoning.

The fifth and final section is an unscored Argumentative Writing sample.

visibility_off
Collapse

Multiple Choice Sections

keyboard_arrow_down

Reading Comprehension

keyboard_arrow_down

Reading comprehension questions measure understanding and insightful reading of lengthy and complex materials, similar to those presented in law school coursework.

The reading comprehension section includes four sets of questions, where each set includes a selection of reading material and 5-8 questions about that material. In three of four sets, the reading material is a single passage. The remaining fourth set contains two shorter but related passages.

Comparative Reading

Reading comprehension question sets accompanied by two passages fall under comparative reading. Comparative reading questions emphasize understanding the relationship between two passages.

Reading Selections

Passage subjects draw from a variety of subject areas. Generally, passages are densely written, using high-level vocabulary and sophisticated arguments or rhetorical structures.

Relevant Knowledge

  • ○

    Identifying main idea or primary purpose

  • ○

    Drawing from explicitly stated or inferred information/ideas

  • ○

    Understanding word & phrase purpose/meaning in context

  • ○

    Text organization and structure

  • ○

    Applying information to new contexts

  • ○

    Functional principles of writing

  • ○

    Interpreting analogies to claims and arguments

  • ○

    Recognizing authorial attitude by tone and language use

  • ○

    Identifying the impacts of new information on claims or arguments

visibility_off
Collapse

Logical Reasoning

keyboard_arrow_down

Logical reasoning questions are designed to measure abilities in examination, analysis, and critical evaluation as they relate to arguments in ordinary language.

Questions

Questions in logical reasoning are based on short arguments drawn from a variety of sources that mirror legal reasoning in their type and complexity. These sources are rarely focused on law.

One or two logical reasoning questions follow each relevant passage.

Relevant Knowledge

  • ○

    Recognizing the parts of an argument and their relationships

  • ○

    Identifying similarities and differences between reasoning patterns

  • ○

    Drawing supported conclusions

  • ○

    Reasoning by analogy

  • ○

    Recognizing misunderstandings or points of disagreement

  • ○

    Determining the impact of additional evidence on an argument

  • ○

    Detecting argumentative assumptions

  • ○

    Identifying and applying principles

  • ○

    Revealing argumentative flaws and explanations

visibility_off
Collapse
visibility_off
Collapse

Argumentative Writing

keyboard_arrow_down

Overview

keyboard_arrow_down

The argumentative writing section features an unscored writing sample. It does not need to be taken at the same time as the four multiple-choice sections, and can even be taken up to 8 days prior to completion of those four sections.

Task

keyboard_arrow_down

In this section, students are presented with a debatable issue and 3-4 perspectives providing additional context for that issue. They must write an argumentative essay that takes a position with respect to the task issue and addresses some of the arguments and ideas of the perspectives given.

This portion of the exam lasts 50 minutes. 15 minutes are allocated for prewriting analysis, while the remaining 35 minutes are left for essay writing.

visibility_off
Collapse

Request a Free Consult