Your Basic LSAT Guide

For anyone wishing to attend law school, the LSAT is indeed very important in determining whether or not admission is possible. Most law schools consider the LSAT score the main factor for accepting students. An effective way to prepare for LSAT is to find out all information relevant to it so that you get a complete understanding of what you are about to take on. Below is an LSAT guide to the basic aspects of the test:

LSAT guide – what you can expect from the test:

First, LSAT is similar to SAT in the sense that both are aptitude tests that measure specific abilities of the test takers. In the case of the LSAT, this test measures the logic thinking and reasoning skills of an applicant to see whether they have what it takes to make it in law school. LSAT is quite demanding because taking the exam itself is already a test of endurance because it lasts about three and a half hours long, plus there is a writing section that you have to complete in 30 minutes. All in all, the entire test can take about five hours, including the break and other administrative details.

The great thing about the LSAT is that there are very little changes to it each year. It has been the same test in essence for the last decade so this means applicants only need to practice as much as they can on answering prep tests and learning effective test strategies so they can become ready for LSAT.

LSAT guide to test questions and sections:

The LSAT consists of five sections employing a multiple-choice type of test. The questions number about 101 in total and each correct answer gets one point. The multiple-choice sections are tests on Logical Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. There is also a writing sample section where the applicant has to write an essay on a given topic.

LSAT guide to registration:

Interested applicants can take the LSAT in any of these months – February, June, October and December. If you intend to apply for admission to law school in the fall, it is best that you take the LSAT on October or December. For specific dates and test sites, check the website of the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Applicants are advised to register for the test as early as possible.

Having enough time to prepare for the LSAT is very important. You need to practice answering sample tests and questions as much as you can. You can seek basic LSAT guide to studying from books, software, preparation classes and many online resources. Find out which study option will work for you, your needs and learning habits.

Information On The LSAT Examination

The Law School Admission Test, or better known as LSAT examination, is a test that is administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Its purpose is to provide both US-based and Canada-based law schools a standard of measuring the overall reading, verbal and reasoning skills of aspiring law students. In short, different law schools use the LSAT examination to assess applicants.

The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) administers the LSAT examination four times a year. The LSAT examination is a very long exam that typically takes more than 3 hours. The LSAT examination is composed of the following:

- Six sections lasting 35 minutes per section
- Five sections containing multiple-choice type of questions
- One un-scored section (sample writing)

There are different test forms used for every exam and each form presents the different sections of multiple choices in random order to prevent the applicants from cheating during the examination. The LSAT examination includes the following:

- 2 sections for logical reasoning that require you to analyze logical error statements (24 to 26 items).
- 1 section for analytical reasoning that involves solving compound reasoning puzzles (24 items).
- 1 section for reading comprehension that requires you to answer questions after reading a passage (26 to 28 items).
- 1 experimental section that can be any of the other sections (it will not be specified).
- Last section is the writing sample that takes thirty minutes. It is an essay writing section on a given topic. The writing sample is not scored. Nevertheless, it will be included in your law school application as a demonstration of your thinking and writing skills.

It is very important to acquire as much knowledge as you can on the different sections of the LSAT examination. You can ask for several LSAT tips from others who have already passed so you can develop your own learning strategy.

The score scale of the LSAT examination ranges from 120 to 180 and 150 is the average score. Top-notch law schools accept applicants with a minimum score of 160.

The Law School Admission Council administers the LSAT examination every February, June, October, and December in various locations all over the world. Most applicants take the test earlier, typically in June or October. Check the upcoming LSAT test dates online so you can pick your preferred schedule. In addition, this will give you enough time to study and prepare for the LSAT examination.

Are LSAT Courses Right For You?

If you are considering entering law school, you would need plenty of time to get ready for LSAT. Many applicants are taking LSAT courses to prepare themselves, the question is should you enroll in one, too? Before you commit to an LSAT course, you need to be aware that it is just like a class that you need to attend so it will eat up your time. Be prepared to set ample time for your LSAT course study.

At the same time, live LSAT courses can be expensive costing as much as $900 dollars for a comprehensive course. Moreover, not everyone in the class is at the same skill level so sometimes the teacher would need to spend time on questions that may not be difficult for you. Think about these things when deciding whether LSAT courses are right for you.

Of course, there are two sides to everything. One advantage of LSAT courses is that it allows you to interact with other aspiring law students. Meeting new friends who are going through the same thing as you do can be helpful in reducing stress. In addition, you might also become friends with really smart people who can give you tips on how to study and prepare well for the LSAT.

Additionally, when you enrolling in LSAT courses – assuming you chose a quality program- you will receive quality preparation materials and get access to plenty of sample LSAT questions, old official exams, explanations to answers and so many more helpful resources that will help you master the strategies you would need to conquer LSAT.

LSAT courses also give a student the opportunity to go through a simulation LSAT test, which is also timed and supervised by a proctor. Usually, the practice tests are previous LSAT tests so the student becomes very familiar with the actual test format and what it is like to take the test. This can help reduce jitters during the actual LSAT exam day.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of LSAT courses is the instructors because these people have aced the LSAT and have taught other applicants how they can do the same. Enrolling in LSAT courses allows you to tap the brains of these individuals and learn from them.

Should you do decide that it is best for you to enroll in an LSAT prep class, consider the two most well-known LSAT courses from Princeton Review and Kaplan. These institutions are known for their excellent success rates, decades of experience, and high-quality preparation resources. Visit their websites to learn more about each of their course features so you can decide which one is best for you.