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LSAT Basics

The LSAT consists of 3 graded sections

There will be 1 section of Reading and 2 sections of Reasoning.

Logic Games

Until August of 2024, there was also a "Games" section (the LSAC called it Analytic Reasoning). Now you don't need to worry about it.

There will be a 4th "experimental" section that is ungraded

This experimental section could be Reading or Reasoning. You will not know which section is ungraded.

Don't psych yourself out guessing which is which

Don't bother trying to figure out which section is the "experimental" one on test day. Guessing is, at best, a distraction.

You have 35:00 to complete each section

  • For Reading, this gives you an average of 8:45 for each of the 4 texts.
  • For Reasoning, this gives you an average of 1:20 per question.

Do not always aim for the average.

Learn more: how to work on timing

Breaks

You get a 1:00 pause to read instructions between each section and a 10:00 break in the middle, between sections 2 and 3.

In other words, your test day looks like this: 35:00 section, 1:00 pause, 35:00 section, 10:00 break, 35:00 section, 1:00 pause, 35:00 section.

If you finish a section early, you can review flagged questions within that section or rest. You can't go back to the last section or ahead to the next section.

If you qualify for an accommodation you may receive more time per section. You can request an accommodation directly from the LSAC.

Practice tests are available on LawHub

The LSAC offers several free practice tests on LawHub you can try out. You can use these to get a baseline score and try out the interface you'll use on test day.

For an additional $120 a year, LawHub offers access to many more practice tests. This is the easiest way to access official test questions.

Tip

If you can't afford to pay $120 for the full version of LawHub, you can request a waiver from the LSAC.

You take the test in person

Since August 2026, nearly everyone takes the LSAT in person at a Prometric test center. Remote testing is only available as a limited exception, for certain medical accommodations or extreme hardship.

On test day, you will be subject to a number of security-theater requirements. These include ID checks, limits on what you can bring into the room, how many pieces of paper you can have, etc. To protect yourself and prevent disruptions, learn those rules by reading the official list of requirements.

There will also be a proctor watching you the entire time.

Danger

The proctors are unreliable. Students frequently report that their proctors made a mistake.

Expect something bad to happen so you don't get thrown off on test day.

Report problems with proctors or the test experience to the LSAC directly.

If you have any questions about test logistics, contact the LSAC directly. Their site is often confusing, but always correct. Other students and test prep companies can be helpful translators, but always verify with the LSAC.

Don't be afraid to hound the LSAC for information you need. If they don't give you what you want, ask again.

Score

The LSAT is graded on a curve.

That means your score consists of both a "raw" score, which is the total number of questions you got right, and a scaled score, which indicates how many people you did better than.

Your scaled score can range from 120 to 180.

  • A 120 means that you did worse than 99.9% of test takers.
  • A 150 means you did better than about 37% of test takers.
  • A score around 153 or 154 puts you in the middle of the pack.
  • A 180 means you did better than 99.9% of test takers.

Learn more: how to think about your score

LSAT Argumentative Writing

In addition to the 4 multiple choice sections, you'll need to write a short argumentative essay. You get 50 minutes in one sitting: 15 minutes of prewriting, then 35 minutes to write. You'll do this Writing section at a different time.

Your score won't be released until you have a completed writing sample on file. So my suggestion would be to do it shortly before or right after your test day. A day or two of preparation is all you need. Practice once or twice before you do it for real. Otherwise, don't worry about it much.

My recommendation for this Writing section is to keep it simple by writing a basic 5 paragraph essay:

  1. Tell them what you'll tell them.
  2. Tell it to them.
  3. Then, tell them what you told them.

Law School Connection

Keeping things simple with this basic structure is also good advice for your future law school exams.

The Writing section appears to have 0 effect on admissions decisions. There is some speculation that schools will check your Writing section against your admissions essays to test for plagiarism.

Warning

I'm not an admissions officer. If you are an admissions officer, please let me know if I'm wrong about the unimportance of the Writing section.

For more information, read the LSAC's official advice about the writing sample.