LSAT
LSAT Basics
Considered to be one of the most difficult college and university entrance examinations in use today, the LSAT test is also very lengthy. Depending on breaks and other scheduling issues, plan on setting aside approximately five hours to take the test. The question period of this test lasts one hundred seventy-five minutes total, (with five sections that run thirty-five minutes each). There is an additional 30-minute writing sample required, totaling three hours and twenty-five minutes.
Who Takes the LSAT?
The LSAT is what the majority of all law schools, both in the US and Canada, require to enter their schools. It is the test to do well on, as law schools make strong connections between test scores and how a student’s first year in school goes. In many law schools, the LSAT holds more weight than a student’s GPA or any other measure, and while specific knowledge is not evaluated, preparation is critical.
Critical reading and analytical skills are the two main focus areas on the LSAT, and without proper and significant preparation, it is rare that a great test score is achieved. It is crucial to know the right formula when preparing, because the basic content of the test has never changed.
What’s a Good Score?
The scores can range from 120 to 180, and includes a percentile ranking, so one can compare how their score compares to the rest of the applicants. If you score between 150 and 160 that is considered acceptable to be admitted to most programs, but there are other more esteemed law schools and universities that may require higher scores.
Score High on the LSAT
Research the school you are interested in by knowing what statistics are for incoming applicants. To better your scores, which is anyone’s ultimate goal, you need to be aware that entrance scores vary from year to year, and you can never be too prepared or do too well. Another issue to keep in mind is that each school handles scores differently once they receive them. At times, schools average LSAT scores from more than one test, and others may only take your highest score. Again, the best advice remains to study hard, prepare and do your very best.