CHAPTER 4: THE LAW SCHOOL ADMISSIONS TEST

INTRODUCTION

Most law school applicants still apply with a standardized test score. Historically, the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) has been the primary exam used in law school admissions. In recent years, however, many law schools have begun accepting the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) in lieu of the LSAT, and a small number of schools have experimented with alternative admissions pathways.

Because testing policies vary by school and may change from year to year, applicants should always confirm each school’s current requirements before committing to a test strategy. This chapter assumes that standardized testing will continue to play a central role in law school admissions for the foreseeable future and focuses on helping you understand the LSAT and GRE, choose the right exam, and prepare effectively.

THE LSAT

The LSAT is administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and is designed to measure skills considered essential for success in law school, including close reading, logical reasoning, and the evaluation of arguments.

The LSAT is scored on a scale from 120 to 180. A score of 170 or above typically places a test taker in approximately the top 2 percent of all examinees. Average scores tend to cluster in the mid-150s, though exact averages vary by administration. Because the LSAT is scaled, performance is evaluated relative to other test takers rather than against a fixed standard of difficulty.

While strong LSAT scores are particularly important for admission to highly selective law schools, applicants at all levels benefit from maximizing their score. A higher LSAT score can significantly improve both admission prospects and eligibility for merit-based scholarships.

It is important to understand that the LSAT is not an intelligence test. Performance depends heavily on preparation, familiarity with question types, and disciplined practice. Most applicants must dedicate substantial time to preparation in order to achieve their best possible score.

The LSAT is administered digitally. Under the current format (effective August 2024), the multiple-choice portion of the exam includes:

• Two Logical Reasoning sections

• One Reading Comprehension section

• One unscored section (either Logical Reasoning or Reading Comprehension), which is used to test future questions

Each multiple-choice section is timed, and test takers will not be told which section is unscored.

LSAT Argumentative Writing

In addition to the multiple-choice test, applicants must complete LSAT Argumentative Writing, an unscored writing sample completed separately from the test administration. This writing sample is sent to law schools and must be approved before LSAT scores can be released. Although unscored, it is part of your application and should be taken seriously.

PREPARING FOR THE LSAT

Effective LSAT preparation requires time, structure, and consistency. Most applicants should plan to study for at least six months, particularly if they are aiming for competitive schools or significant score improvement.

A strong preparation plan typically includes:

• Learning the fundamentals of Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension

• Regular, timed practice under realistic conditions

• Careful review of mistakes to identify patterns and weaknesses

• Full-length practice exams taken consistently over time

Applicants are strongly encouraged to begin preparation by taking one or more full, timed diagnostic tests to establish a realistic baseline. This baseline will help determine how much preparation is needed and which areas require the most focus.

Official LSAT Practice Materials

LSAC provides official LSAT preparation materials through LawHub, including previously administered exams. Applicants should prioritize official questions whenever possible, as these best reflect the structure and difficulty of the actual exam.

Study Approach

A common military adage, "Train like you fight," applies well to the LSAT. You should practice under realistic testing conditions, including strict timing. Many successful applicants take a full-length, timed practice test on a regular basis and then thoroughly review every question, especially those they answered incorrectly or felt unsure about.

Many prep providers endorse a “blind review” strategy, in which test takers re-answer uncertain questions without time pressure before checking correct answers. This approach helps distinguish between conceptual gaps and timing issues.

TEST PREP RESOURCES AND S2S PARTNERS

Many applicants benefit from structured test preparation programs, tutoring, or analytics-driven platforms, particularly when targeting highly competitive schools or seeking substantial score gains.

Service to School applicants may be eligible for discounted test preparation and admissions support resources through S2S partnerships. A current list of partner organizations and available discounts can be found in the S2S Applicant Toolkit:

https://www.service2school.org/s2s-applicant-toolkit#collaborations

Notably, LSAT Demon offers Service to School applicants a 25% discount, available on an ongoing basis, for use of their LSAT preparation services. Applicants should speak with their S2S Ambassador before enrolling in any paid program to confirm current offerings and determine the best fit based on baseline score, goals, and budget.

SCORE PREVIEW, CANCELLATION, AND RETAKES (LSAT)

LSAC offers Score Preview, which allows test takers to view their LSAT score when released and decide within a limited window whether to keep or cancel it. If a score is canceled, law schools will see that the test was taken but will not see the score.

Canceling a score is generally appropriate only when something clearly went wrong on test day. Multiple cancellations may raise concerns, and canceled scores still count toward LSAC’s test-taking limits.

Law schools will see all LSAT scores from the past five years, but most focus primarily on the highest score, as that is the score reported for ranking and statistical purposes. Retaking the test can be beneficial if you have a clear plan for improvement, but repeated attempts without progress are unlikely to help.

LSAC limits the total number of times you may take the LSAT, both within specific time periods and over your lifetime. Applicants should confirm their remaining eligibility directly in their LSAC account before registering for another test.

THE GRE

Many law schools accept the GRE General Test as an alternative to the LSAT. However, policies differ by school, and some institutions place restrictions on GRE use or require disclosure of all prior LSAT scores. Applicants should verify each school’s policy carefully.

GRE FORMAT AND SCORING

The GRE General Test reports scores in three areas:

• Verbal Reasoning (130–170)

• Quantitative Reasoning (130–170)

• Analytical Writing (0–6)

The GRE was significantly shortened in 2023 and now takes approximately two hours to complete. Scores are valid for five years.

ScoreSelect

The GRE offers a feature called ScoreSelect, which allows test takers to choose which test administrations to send to schools. However, some law schools request all GRE scores, which limits the practical benefit of this option for law school applicants.

LSAT VS. GRE: CHOOSING THE RIGHT TEST

Applicants should take whichever test best showcases their strengths and aligns with their target schools’ preferences. A common and effective strategy is to take:

• one timed diagnostic LSAT, and

• one timed diagnostic GRE

and then compare performance, comfort level, and improvement potential.

In general:

• The LSAT remains the most common and widely understood signal in law school admissions and often provides the greatest leverage for scholarships.

• The GRE may be a strong option for applicants who are also considering other graduate programs or who perform significantly better on that exam.

Applicants should also consider how each test fits into their overall timeline and preparation capacity.

FINAL PLANNING TIPS

• Start early and build in time for a retake if needed.

• Base your study plan on data from practice tests, not assumptions.

• Use official materials whenever possible.

• Before committing to paid preparation, review the S2S Applicant Toolkit and consult with your S2S Ambassador.

A thoughtful, disciplined testing strategy can meaningfully improve both admissions outcomes and financial aid opportunities.