The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is meant to assess the key skills needed for success in both law school and in the practice of law, such as critical thinking and analytical reasoning, making it an important step for most aspiring law students.

In this What is the LSAT guide, we break down each section of the LSAT, delineate all of the core information that you will need to know, and offer study tips to help ensure you stay consistent throughout your preparation.

What is on the LSAT

The LSAT is broken down into two parts: Multiple Choice and Writing.

The Multiple Choice part is broken down into three scored sections: Reading Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, and Analytical Reasoning.

The Writing part, while not scored, remains an important part of law school admissions processes.

LSAT Multiple-Choice Questions

Reading Comprehension Section

In law school – and during the practice of law – a significant portion of your time will be devoted to reading and comprehending a wide variety of complex, detailed texts.

These include, but are not limited to:

• Legal case studies
• Statutory law
• Commercial contracts & evidential documents
• Briefs and judicial decisions

Such reading inevitably demands meticulous attention to detail; this is because you will need to be able to discern not only what is explicitly stated but also what is implied or left unsaid. You will also need a range of critical thinking skills, including analysis, synthesis, comparison, and the ability to apply various legal principles to real-life scenarios quickly.

The Reading Comprehension section of the LSAT is designed to evaluate these very abilities. It aims to test each candidate’s proficiency in comprehending and interpreting complex and extended texts that are akin to those encountered in law school (and in legal practice).

This is done through four distinct sets of reading materials (five to eight questions are offered per set). Keep in mind that, in three of these sets, you will be presented with a single passage, whereas one out of the four will contain two shorter passages that are related instead.

The set that contains two passages is a variant of Reading Comprehension, known as Comparative Reading, and has been around since 2007.

The reading materials for the LSAT’s Reading Comprehension section are selected from a diverse range of fields, including:

• Humanities
• Social sciences
• Natural sciences
• Law-related topics

Regardless of the field in question, the content of the passages provided is generally characterized in accordance with its density, advanced vocabulary, and intricate rhetorical or argumentative structures. This section will not only test your ability to read and understand complex materials but also examine your capacity to apply critical thinking skills in a legal context.

For more information, we recommend having a look at our Reading Comprehension Section overview.

Logical Reasoning Section

The Logical Reasoning section of the LSAT is central to assessing certain skills that are essential in legal practice – particularly in the domain of argument analysis.

This section forms the backbone of the test by evaluating your proficiency in dissecting, interpreting, and critically examining various forms of arguments. Both in the professional legal sphere (and in law school), the ability to parse through arguments, weigh evidence, and draw logical conclusions is indispensable.

Keep in mind that all Logical Reasoning questions are grounded in everyday language and are extracted from diverse sources like news articles, magazines, academic journals, advertisements, and everyday discussions. This means that they often steer clear of legal jargon.

Each question in this section presents you with a brief passage that forms the basis of an argument. Your task will be to read, understand, and respond to each question (sometimes two) that relates to each passage.

Some of the key skills that are assessed in this section include:

• Identifying the core components of an argument and understanding how they interconnect
• Noticing parallels and variances in different reasoning patterns
• Drawing conclusions that are well-supported by evidence
• Applying analogical reasoning
• Spotting areas of misunderstanding or disagreement within an argument
• Evaluating the impact of additional evidence on an argument
• Detecting underlying assumptions in arguments
• Identifying logical flaws and weaknesses in arguments

Note: An important aspect of this section is that it does not require prior knowledge of formal terminology (e.g., words like ad hominem will not be used.). Having said that, a solid understanding of university-level argumentative concepts (e.g., premises, assumptions, conclusions, etc) is crucial.

Analytical Reasoning Section

The Analytical Reasoning section of the LSAT – commonly known as the “Logic Games” – is meant to evaluate each candidate’s ability to understand and apply specific sets of rules to a given set of facts in order to determine what the logical outcome should be.

Each question set is based on a passage that outlines a specific scenario, which can often involve either ordering or grouping elements (sometimes both).

For example, a passage might describe a corporate event with specific guidelines for speaker presentations, including topics, durations, and sequence. You could be asked to deduce the schedule if certain speakers are unavailable or if new speakers are added with their own constraints.

Keep in mind that even though these scenarios are generally not directly related to law, the skills tested are crucial for legal reasoning. This is because they mirror the kind of logical analysis that is required in legal practice (e.g., interpreting contract terms, applying legal rules to specific cases, etc.).

For more information, we recommend having a look at our Logic Games article.

LSAT Writing

The LSAT Writing is meant to allow law school applicants to showcase their persuasive writing abilities.

While this section will not actually contribute to your overall LSAT score, it will play a significant role in law school admissions. This is because the writing sample you produce is reviewed by the admissions committees of the law schools you apply to and is used to evaluate your writing in relation to reasoning, clarity, organization, language usage, and writing mechanics.

During the LSAT Writing section, you will encounter a prompt that presents a decision-making scenario. You will then be required to choose between two positions or courses of action and defend your choice through a persuasive essay, which you’ll have 35 minutes to complete.

It’s important to note that there are no “right” or “’wrong” choices here; this exercise has solely been designed to assess your ability to argue effectively in writing – regardless of what position you hold.

Keep in mind that LSAT Writing is administered separately from the multiple-choice sections discussed above and is conducted online using secure proctoring software, which you can install on your own computer. This remote administration allows you the flexibility to complete LSAT writing at your own convenience, which can be done as early as eight days before your scheduled multiple-choice test.

How Much Does the LSAT Cost

Your LSAT cost will depend on several factors.

Below, we’ve included a table with all of the fees that you will be required to pay when registering for the examination. We’ve also included a few services that are optional:

Service	Price	Requirement
LSAT Registration	$222	Yes
Credential Assembly Service (CAS)	$200	Yes
CAS Report	$44 per Report	Yes
LSAT Score Review	$45-$75	No
Official Candidate LSAT Score Report	$50	No
Score Audit	$75-$150	No
Test Date Change	$0-222	No

Keep in mind that your total LSAT cost may end up being significantly higher than what’s indicated above. This is because you will likely purchase additional preparation materials, online courses, and/or tutors, which can add anywhere between a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

For a more in-depth overview, we recommend having a look at our LSAT Cost article.

How Hard is the LSAT

The LSAT exam is considered to be extremely challenging, primarily due to its focus on critical thinking, logical reasoning, and comprehension skills.

Having said that, difficulty is always subjective, so it’s hard to definitively state how easy or challenging the exam will be for you. This will depend on several factors, such as your academic background, current analytical skills, and persuasive writing experience.

For some, the logical puzzles and complex reading passages tend to come naturally, while for others, these areas may require significant practice. The time-pressure nature of the exam adds another layer of challenge, making it more difficult for those not used to proctored examinations.

Regardless of your background, however, getting a great score on your LSAT examination is definitely manageable and can be made a lot easier through the use of the right preparation resources, tools, and – most importantly – the right amount of time.

For more information, have a look at our How Hard is the LSAT article.

How to Study for the LSAT

As you reach the end of this LSAT guide, it’s vital that you consider how best you can go about handling your exam preparation. This is important because the LSAT isn’t just a hurdle to clear; it’s an opportunity to sharpen the skills that will help you operate successfully in the practice of law.

First of all, you will need to ensure that you pick the right study materials. Whether it’s comprehensive prep books, interactive online courses, or sample tests, you will need to choose the resources that will both align with your learning style and keep you engaged.

Consistent practice is undoubtedly crucial, but remember that it’s equally important to practice smart. We recommend replicating the test environment during your study sessions from as early on as possible in order to build stamina and reduce the chance of you making any accidental errors due to time constraints.

Another helpful tip is to try to maintain as much variety as possible. This can involve switching between different types of questions, associating with different study groups, or even explaining concepts to your friends and/or family.

This will not only keep you engaged but also deepen your understanding of the examination’s core material.

Above all, you should view your LSAT prep as a journey that’s going to mold you into a better thinker, a sharper analyst, and a more articulate communicator – skills that are invaluable in both law school and law practice.

Stay positive, stay curious, and embrace each step of the journey. The LSAT is your gateway to the legal profession, and with a thoughtful, dedicated approach, you’ll be sure to set yourself up for law school success.

For more information, you can have a look at our preparation resources: