Law School Entrance Exams

Admissions tests are a critical component of the law school application. While law schools review applications holistically, there is a particular consideration given to test exam scores. Standardized tests are required for most law schools. All ABA-Approved law schools will accept the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), while a small growing number of schools are now accepting Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) for admissions to their JD programs. For a complete list of law schools that accept GRE, please click here. 

 

Overview

The Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is an integral part of law school admissions. The purpose of the LSAT is to test the skills necessary for success in the first year of law school, which include reading comprehension, reasoning, and writing. Your LSAT score will demonstrate your readiness for law school to admission decision makers.

The LSAT is offered about six times per year (application cycle): June, July, September, November, January, and March. Please consult the LSAT website for exact test dates and deadlines. 

NYU Prelaw recommends that law school applicants aim to take the June LSAT before the fall of your application cycle. This allows applicants to have back up test dates available if they are unsatisfied with their score. Additionally, applicants will have the summer to focus on other components of their application, such as drafting your personal statement.

Exam Structure

The LSAT is administered in two parts. The first part consists of several 35-minute sections of multiple questions and the second part is a 35-minute unscored LSAT Writing Sample.

Throughout the LSAT be prepared to be tested on the following sections:

  • Analytical Reasoning: This section will assess your ability to assess scenarios based on a set of facts and rules. 

  • Logical Reasoning: This section will test your ability to examine, analyze, and critically evaluate arguments. 

  • Reading Comprehension: This section will test you on your ability to read and understand complex materials similar to those commonly encountered in law school.

Additionally, the LSAT has an unscored experimental section, used by the LSAC to test out new questions.The unscored section can appear in any order among the four sections of the test. While the section will be unscored, you will not know which portion is unscored, so it is important to answer each question diligently.

Scores

LSAT scores range from 120 to 180 with 120 being the lowest possible score and 180 being the highest possible score. The national average LSAT is around 151. 

A “good” LSAT score depends on the law schools you are considering. For more insight you can compare your LSAT scores ranges for admitted students at law schools on your list. You can use the LSAT/UGPA calculator or consult the law schools’ class profiles to learn more about their admissions data.

LSAT scores are valid for five years, so you can use your score in later application cycles.

Fees

The LSAT basic fee costs around $200, with some additional fees for extra items such as late test change or score previews. Please review the LSAT website for the latest costs and fees. 

The LSAC offers a fee waiver for the LSAT & Credential Assembly Service (CAS), which is designed for law school candidates who are financially under-resourced. Submit your completed fee waiver application to LSAC at least six weeks prior to the registration deadline for the LSAT administration you wish to take.

You can apply for a fee waiver directly on the LSAT webpage.

NYU Prelaw recommends that law school applicants take at least 4-6 months to prepare for the LSAT. Winter break is the perfect opportunity to sit down and determine your study plan of action for the LSAT. Here is a sample timeline to prepare for the LSAT:

  • January: Determine your study plan.Reflect on how you will carve out time in your schedule to study for LSAT. Research different preparation materials such as LSAT Prep books, practice exams, or a prep course. Review the LSAC website for tools and resources to help you get ready. 

  • Early February: Take a diagnostic test to understand your current knowledge and preparedness for the exam. The LSAC offers a limited number of free sample LSAT Exams.

  • Mid-February-May: Execute your study plan. Study around 4-6 hours a week.

  • Mid-April: Register for the LSAT.

  • June: Take the LSAT.

Should I take the GRE or LSAT?

Recently, more law schools will accept GRE scores, you can consult the complete list of schools here. All law schools will accept the LSAT. To optimize the number of schools you can apply to, it is safe to take the LSAT. However, it is important to check law school’s website to verify their application requirements.

When should I take the LSAT?

You should take the LSAT when you are most prepared. The LSAT is offered around six times per year. NYU Prelaw recommends students aim to take the June LSAT before the fall of your application cycle to allow ample time to work on the other parts of your application in the summer and/or have time to retake the exam.

How many times can I take the LSAT?

Ideally you should aim to take the LSAT once, when you are most prepared. However, if you are unsatisfied with your score you can retake the exam. If you are thinking of taking LSAT more than twice, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with Prelaw Advisor to discuss your options.

Starting with the September 2019 test administration, test takers will be permitted to take the LSAT:

  • Three times in a single testing year (the next testing cycle begins with the August 2021 test and goes through the June 2022 test).

  • Five times within the current and five past testing years (the period in which LSAC reports scores to law schools).

  • A total of seven times over a lifetime

*For more information please visit the LSAT website.

Should I take an LSAT Prep Course?

Taking a prep course is entirely up to you and your preferred study methods. NYU Prelaw does not recommend any particular prep method or course, however we encourage you to explore your options. You can check out some prep course reviews here.

NEXT: APPLICATION MATERIALS GUIDELINES