Preparing for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) - Exam Preparation Guide - Updated January 2021

Aug 30, 2026

The guide explains how to prepare for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) by emphasizing repeated practice under simulated test conditions and choosing a well-timed test date once optimally ready. It outlines LSAT scheduling across the year and discusses June testing considerations, including Shabbat-related accommodations and score report differences. The document also breaks down the exam’s four sections—Reading Comprehension, Analytical Reasoning, Logical Thinking, and Writing—and provides preparation suggestions. It further answers common questions about recommendation letters and evaluations, including who to request them from and how CAS processing affects assignment to schools.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

LSAT Preparation Overview

Practice Under Simulated Test Conditions

LSAT Testing Schedule and Timing

Shabbat Accommodations and Score Reports

LSAT Test Sections

Reading Comprehension

Analytical Reasoning

Logical Thinking

Writing

Recommendations and Evaluations Q&A

How Many Recommendation Letters

Who to Ask for Letters

Whether Applicants Can Read Letters

Difference Between Recommendations and Evaluations

Using Evaluations vs Letters

Assignment of Letters to Schools

Preparing for the Law School Admissions Test The Law School Admissions Test (the “LSAT”) is a challenging examination of fundamental intellectual skills, not of any specific areas of knowledge. Some students find LSAT preparation courses helpful. Other applicants prepare alone by purchasing LSAT prep books [from LSAC.org. Regardless of whether you choose to take a course](from LSAC.org. Regardless of whether you choose to take a course), the key to the exam is practice, practice, practice under simulated test conditions. Students should plan to take the exam only once they are optimally prepared. Taking an LSAT as a “practice run” isnot advisable and may hurt a student’s chances of admission. The LSAT is offered several times during the year: usually January, April, June, July, October, and November. For the most current list of dates, visit [https://www.lsac.org/](https://www.lsac.org/)[ ](https://www.lsac.org/)[lsat/lsat-dates-deadlines-score-release-dates/future-lsat-dates.](lsat/lsat-dates-deadlines-score-release-dates/future-lsat-dates.) Ideally, students should take the exam in June of the year before they plan to attend law school (the end of junior year) . This gives students a chance to take the October exam, if necessary, and still complete their applications by early to mid-November. As an added benefit, the June exam is not given on Shabbat, meaning that students will receive an itemized score report, allowing them to gain insight into the types of questions they have difficulty with. All other exams are given on Shabbat and an alternate test date is arranged for Sabbath observers. These exams are non-disclosed, meaning that students receive their scores for the exam without additional detail. However, some students find the October test desirable as it gives them a full summer off to concentrate on the exam. The test covers four areas. Suggestions for developing strengths in each area are listed below. • Reading Comprehension This section tests one’s ability to understand, analyze, and interpret a brief but dense piece of writing and to answer questions about its content and perspective. To prepare, one should take courses that involve extensive reading and critical analysis of complete texts. Advanced courses in literature, history, politics or philosophy provide this type of training. • Analytical Reasoning Also called Logic Games, this section presents problems involving the grouping, ordering, and spatial relationships of objects. It tests the ability to think precisely and methodically and to solve problems with order and logic. Preparation can include courses in mathematics, natural sciences, and computer science and well as in philosophy (logic) . • Logical Thinking This section asks students questions about a short written argument—its main points, assumptions, inferences, errors in argumentation, its applicability to a new context, and whether a new piece of evidence would support or weaken the argument. Courses that provide practice in analytical arguments and theories are offered by political scientists, philosophers, historians, and economists. • Writing The LSAT requires test takers to write a short nonfiction essay in response to a given topic. This section measures students’ ability to write clearly and coherently while under time pressure and without any grammatical or spelling aids. Students can prepare for this portion of the test by taking courses that require substantial writing. Especially helpful are classes that require research papers. Updated: January 2021 How many recommendation letters should I aim for? Students should aim to get a total of 2-3 letters of recommendation and/or evaluations. This is a case where more is not better. Whom should I ask for letters of recommendation and/ or evaluations? Applicants may ask professors, supervisors, employers, community leaders, or other mentors for letters of recommendation. In general, unless the applicant has

FAQs

When should students aim to take the LSAT to maximize application success?

Students ideally should take the exam in June of the year before they plan to attend law school, typically at the end of junior year, so they can still take the October exam if needed and complete applications by early to mid-November.

What are the four areas covered by the LSAT?

The LSAT covers Reading Comprehension, Analytical Reasoning (Logic Games), Logical Thinking, and Writing. Each section tests different intellectual skills and includes specific preparation suggestions.

How many recommendation letters and/or evaluations should applicants aim for?

Applicants should aim for a total of 2–3 letters of recommendation and/or evaluations, since more is not necessarily better.

Aug 30, 2026

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