The New LSAT Exam - Everything You Need to Know

Aug 30, 2026

Uploaded by Melati

The document provides a practical overview of the LSAT, a standardized multiple-choice test used for law school admissions in the United States and Canada. It explains what the exam measures—strategic reading, argument analysis, formal logic, and deduction—then breaks down section types, timing, and the unscored experimental component. It also describes LSAT argumentative writing, scoring on the 120–180 scale, and what score bands generally indicate applicant competitiveness. Finally, it outlines prep options and resources integrated with LawHub and other study tools.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Test Structure

Reading Comprehension

Logical Reasoning

Experimental Section

LSAT Argumentative Writing

How the LSAT Exam Is Scored

Score Bands and Percentiles

Our Resources

LSAC LawHub Integration

Kaplan Exclusive Features

Personalized Recommendations

LSAT Prep Books and Practice Tools

The New LSAT ® Exam: Everything You Need to Know What It Really Is The Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is a multiple-choice, computer-based, in-person, or remote-proctored standardized exam that is often required to apply to and be accepted into law school in the United States and Canada. It tests your ability to read strategically, analyze arguments, understand formal logic, and make deductions. It is a test of skill, not content, which makes it approachable for students from all backgrounds and majors. Test Structure There are four 35-minute sections on the LSAT exam, made up of 2 section types, and they may appear in any order on test day. Reading Comprehension 1 section, ~27 questions Logical Reasoning 2 sections, ~25 questions each Experimental This unscored portion (with items being tested for future use) maybe either Logical Reasoning or Reading Comprehension. LSAT Argumentative Writing This is done online after test day and is submitted to law schools as part of your application. This section is 50 minutes in total, with 15 minutes for pre-writing analysis and 35 minutes for writing. Total time: approx. 2.5 hours How the LSAT Exam Is Scored The test is scored on a 120–180 scale and the average score is around 153. Your scaled score is determined based on the number of questions you got correct. There is no wrong-answer penalty. Elite LSAT Scores: Top 2% of All Test-Takers Scaled Score: 175–180 These scores are necessary for those applying to the top law schools in the country (T-14) . Top LSAT Scores: Top 10% of All Test-Takers Scaled Score: 167–174 These scores are necessary to earn admission into Tier 1 law schools. Competitive LSAT Scores: Top 25% of All Test-Takers Scaled Score: 160–166 Average LSAT Scores Scaled Score: 153–159 These scores put you ahead of the pack (50%+), but won’t be as advantageous when applying to highly competitive programs. Below-Average LSAT Scores Scaled Score: 152 or below Our Resources LSAC LawHub® Integration Want to practice with real LSAT exams? Integrate your LawHub subscription seamlessly with our prep. You’ll get year-long access to 55+ practice exams with an official test interface. If you’re already subscribed, you’re good to go. You’ll see the practice resources in our syllabus. Kaplan Exclusive Features With more than 80 hours of targeted one-hour lessons and 180 customizable quizzes, you can choose by subject or level of difficulty. Kaplan analytics will recommend specific resources for you. Personalized Recommendations Receive personal, prioritized recommendations for targeted instruction and practice based on an in-depth analysis of your performance on your practice exams and timed assessments taken throughout your course. To Learn More [Visit:](Visit: www. KapTest.com/LSAT)[ www. KapTest.com/LSAT](Visit: www. KapTest.com/LSAT) Or call us with your questions at 1-800-527-8378 The New LSAT ® Exam: Everything You Need to Know Your Options Choose from our comprehensive courses or our build your own options. Truly Flexible Prep to Fit Your Style All of our comprehensive courses include access to expert tools. You have the ability to get unlimited access to these prep tools and resources for 4, 6, or 12 months—so you can study for the amount of time that works for you. Live Online Get live, scheduled instruction from a 99th-percentile-scoring expert, wherever you want it. Ask questions over chat or email to our team of off-camera teachers. Bootcamp A strict daily schedule for 4 weeks. One-on-one sessions with a tutor. And all of the LSAT study resources we offer. It’s the ultimate prep combination that covers everything in a short amount of time. On Demand Get access to a full on-demand course that lets you prep on your own schedule with teacher support. Study when you want, how you want. In Person You’ll learn in engaging, interactive lessons. Master content at your own pa

FAQs

What skills does the LSAT test for law school admissions?

The LSAT evaluates strategic reading, argument analysis, understanding of formal logic, and your ability to make deductions. It focuses on skill rather than specific content knowledge.

How is the LSAT structured and how long is it?

The LSAT includes four 35-minute sections across two section types, in an order that may vary by test day. Total testing time is approximately 2.5 hours, and the LSAT Argumentative Writing is completed online after the test day.

How does LSAT scoring work and are there wrong-answer penalties?

Scores are reported on a 120–180 scale and are based on the number of correct answers. There is no wrong-answer penalty, and the document also lists common score ranges by competitiveness.

Aug 30, 2026

Uploaded by Melati