What is the LSAT?
The LSAT (Law School Admission Test) is a half-day test
that must be completed in order to be considered for admission to any of the 201 LSAC
(Law School Admission Council) member law schools. The purpose of this
standardized test is to provide the schools with a comparative measure with
which to judge their applicants given the vast differences in the curriculums
and grading scales of the applicants' academic transcripts.
When Should You Take the LSAT?
The LSAT is administered four times a year. Most schools
require the applicants to take the exam by December. However, for a number of
reasons including that it is normally better to apply early, we recommend that
you sit for the test in June or October at the latest.
How is the LSAT Scored?
The LSAT is scored on a scale of 120 to 180, with the 50th
percentile being around 150. To be competitive at a top 25 law school, you will
probably need to be at or above 160.
A Nasty 'Urban Myth' About LSAT Scores
Too often, applicants dismiss schools where their LSAT
scores are below the average. This is completely insane!!! Depending on
other factors the admissions committees will consider – such as your GPA,
personal statement, and letters of reference – you may be competitive with a
score that is not too far below that school's average. (In other words, don't
completely dismiss applying to Harvard Law School just because your LSAT score
is 168.)
Kindly do your friends a favor and pass this on to them.
Self Study Versus LSAT Prep Courses
Click here to read an
expert's opinion about what you should do before you
decide to work with a tutor or prep course.
We believe this should be a personal choice. If you feel
that you are disciplined enough to study on your own and you will be able to
understand the explanations given in your preparation books, then you may not
need to take a prep course. One advantage of self study is that you will
maintain more flexibility in your schedule and you will not waste precious study
time commuting back and forth to the LSAT test prep classroom. Of course a prep
course can provide you with additional test-taking discipline and we have
interviewed law school applicants who claim they learned techniques in the
classrooms that were not covered in any LSAT review book.
Click here to read reviews of LSAT test preparation books from Admissions
Consultants.
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