LSAT 101: How To Study For The LSAT Without Ever Leaving Your Inbox

Ed. note: The below “LSAT 101” content is an edited excerpt from THE BRIEF, the new LSAT prep  email series created by a team of 99th percentile LSAT instructors at Manhattan Prep. THE BRIEF is ideal for anyone looking for a structured, comprehensive way to prep for the LSAT on their own. And it’s free to use. Just select your frequency, sign up, and start making progress toward your law school dream.

This first email in our series introduces you to the basics of the LSAT. (If you already know this info, don’t worry; we will shortly get to more in-depth, content-based emails.)

We’ve created both text and video tutorials so that you can choose the delivery mode that helps you learn best. Feel free to mix and match them as you see fit.

 

So, what is the LSAT, anyway?

The Law School Admission Test, or LSAT, is a standardized test designed to measure aptitude in critical reasoning, logic, and reading comprehension. It is primarily used in the law school application process (though a top score can also qualify you for Mensa).

The test is one of the main factors in the admissions process, and, as such, doing well on the exam is important in both getting into your dream school and receiving scholarship offers. At most schools, it carries more weight than your GPA.

When can I take the LSAT?

The test has been traditionally administered four times per year: February, June, September or October, and December. The Law School Admission Council (LSAC), which governs the LSAT, has recently expanded their offerings starting with next year’s cycle, so these dates still apply until September of next year. These are the only times you can take the exam until then, so it’s important to plan your schedule around it:

• June is the first test of the cycle. It is also the only one given in the afternoon, which works better for night owls. Scores will be released before applications are available, which means you can be ready to apply on day one. Since law schools admit students on a rolling basis — offers are made as applications come in — applying early gives you a leg up. There’s also plenty of time to retake if needed. We recommend you take June if it’s at all possible.
• September/October is also a great option. Scores are released by Halloween, allowing you to get applications in ahead of the peak. It’s not as good as June, though, because a retake would have to happen in December.
• December test scores will usually be released shortly after the New Year. Applying with a December score puts you at a disadvantage, since schools will already have filled many of their seats. Try to take the test earlier if you can, but if December will result in a higher score, then the trade-off is worth it.
• February is a weird test. They don’t disclose it, so you can’t see what you got wrong. Also, many schools don’t accept a February score for the current application cycle without a waiver. If you’re planning to take the February test, immediately apply, and hopefully start the following fall, we’d honestly recommend postponing your application to the following year. Even if the schools you’re applying to accept the score, you’re probably at the tail end of the admissions cycle, putting you at a serious disadvantage. If you’re way ahead of the game and thinking of taking February to apply in the fall (instead of to start in the fall), we’d still recommend holding off until June — it won’t materially change your application timeline, it’ll give you more time to study, and at least you’ll be able to see what went wrong if you end up deciding to retake afterwards.

What’s the format of the LSAT?

The LSAT itself is given on paper and pencil. And there’s no scrap paper, so you’ll have to do your work in the margins! (The LSAC has recently run a trial for a tablet-based LSAT, but they’ve made no announcement as to when that will become an official option.)

The test is made up of ~125 multiple choice questions and an essay. Each question has five answers, and none of that “None of the above” or “Both A and B” stuff, either. There are five complete answers, four of which are wrong and one of which is right. That’s right — you won’t have to make a judgment call about which answer is more right.

These questions are broken up into five sections, each with between 23 and 27 questions. You’ll have exactly 35 minutes for each section, and you can’t go back or forward to a different section. The following is a breakdown of the sections, but, on the test itself, they could come in any order:

• Logical Reasoning (LR)
  • The LR section features short arguments, or a set of facts, or a paradoxical situation. Questions will ask you to do a variety of things, such as strengthen or weaken the argument, find the conclusion, explain the situation, or make an inference.
  • There will be 25 or 26 questions, and this is the only section that will definitely be repeated on the test (i.e., you’ll have two LR sections). With 35 minutes, that averages to a little over 1:20 per question. Fast pace!
  • Understanding arguments and language and being precise with language are important to this section.
• Logic Games (LG)
  • Remember that puzzle your second grade teacher gave you, asking you to figure out which family lived in which house with which car and which pet, based on a series of rules? Welcome to Logic Games.
  • You will have 35 minutes to answer 23 questions, split up among four games. That averages to approximately 8:45 per game. No rest for the wicked!
  • This section is testing your analytical reasoning skills, which will be useful for interpreting contracts and statutes. (Seriously, have you ever looked at the tax code? Total logic game.)
  • For many people, the LG section is the one that scares them. Luckily, it’s very procedural and learnable.

• Reading Comprehension (RC)
  • You know what this is! Finally, something you’re used to.
  • There will be approximately 27 questions split among four passages. That’s 8:45 per passage!
  • RC topics range from Thurgood Marshall to dinosaur extinction. Remember, though, no time for daydreaming! Gotta stay focused.

• Experimental
  • While there will be two scored LR sections, and one each of LG and RC, there will also be an unscored section, referred to as the experimental.
  • This section could be of any type: LR, LG, or RC. The section won’t count; it’s being used to test questions for future administrations of the exam.
  • Historically, it has almost always been one of the first three sections.
  • You won’t — we repeat, WON’T — be able to figure out which section is experimental while taking it. After all, it’s going to be an official section on a future test, so it should seem normal. People will insist they knew their experimental as they were taking the test, but anyone who guesses randomly will be right 1/5 times (higher if you guess sections 1–3).
  • If you bomb an early section, just tell yourself it was experimental, and move on!

• The Writing Sample, or Essay
  • We said the sections could be presented in any order. That’s not exactly true; the writing sample is always last.
  • The writing sample will ask you to write an argument in favor of one of two courses of action specified by the prompt. Someone’s goals and options will be presented, along with some background.
  • Either answer could form the basis for a solid essay, so don’t fret over that! Definitely outline first, though, as there’s nothing worse than getting halfway through and realizing you wish you had written the opposite essay.
  • Think you could write a solid essay after four hours of an intense, logic-based test? Neither could we. The writing sample doesn’t factor much into your application. Be clear, concise, and refrain from drooling on the page, and you’ll be fine.
  • Keep it short and to the point. Sixteen sentences should more than suffice.

How is the LSAT scored?

The total number of questions you answer correctly from the scored sections is your raw score. That’s right: you don’t lose any points for guessing! Also, each question is worth the same. The easiest vs. the hardest question? Both worth one raw point.

The raw score is then converted, based on a pre-generated scale, to a scaled score. This score is between 120 and 180. Why? It’s like the number of licks it takes to get to the center of the Tootsie Roll pop — the world may never know.

The average score is approximately 152. On many scales, you can get up to three wrong and still get a 180. You can often get more than 10 questions wrong and still score in the top 2-3%. Yes, it’s a hard test, so hit the books, and good luck! We’ll see you soon in the next email.

If you found this content useful, sign up for THE BRIEF to get deeper insight into the specifics of the LSAT. This email series is a complete LSAT prep experience, with 60+ emails guiding you through key LSAT concepts with in-depth breakdowns and a study schedule that’s easy to follow. It’s a comprehensive, clear, and digestible way to prep for the LSAT on your own.

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