LSAT Test Pattern

The LSAT test pattern is divided into five sections that are allotted 35 minutes each. All questions are multiple choice except for a writing sample conducted at the end of the exam. Of the five sections, four contribute to your score. This variable section is used to test new test questions. The writing sample is not scored by LSAC (Law School of Admission Council).

Here are the details of the LSAT test pattern –

Logic Games – Logic Games given in the LSAT exam are designed to measure your ability to understand a structure of relationships and to draw conclusions from it. You will be asked to make deductions from a set of statements, rules or conditions that describe relationships among entities such as persons, places, things or events. These questions simulate the kinds of detailed analyses of relationships that law students must perform in solving legal problems.

Logical Reasoning – This segment of LSAT test evaluates the ability to isolate and identify the various components of any given argument. Each of the two scored Logical Reasoning sections consists of questions based on short passages called “stimuli.” Each stimulus takes the form of an argument — a conclusion based on evidence. You will need to understand the stimulus to answer the questions based on it. Common types of questions include weakening, strengthening, assumption, main point, inference and parallel logic. Each is designed to test your ability to understand, analyze, evaluate and manipulate arguments.

Reading Comprehension – The Reading Comprehension section of LSAT exam consists of four passages, each about 450 words long with five to eight corresponding questions. These long excerpts of scholarly passages are reminiscent of the kind of prose found in law texts. The topics are chosen from the areas of social sciences, humanities, natural sciences and the law. Types of questions include identifying the main idea, detail, inference, logic and extrapolation. The questions are designed to test your ability to read dense, scholarly material and ascertain the structure, purpose and logic.

Experimental – The experimental section allows LSAC to test questions for use on future tests. This unscored section generally looks exactly like one of the others, so just do as well as you can on every section, and you’ll be covered for this section as well.

Writing Sample – A scenario is given followed by two possible courses of action. You will have 35 minutes to make a written case that one is superior. The section doesn’t require any outside knowledge. It’s primarily designed to judge your ability to write a clear, persuasive argument.

Sources

“About the LSAT,” LSAC, http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/about-the-lsat.asp

“LSAT Dates and Deadlines,” LSAC, http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/test-dates-deadlines.asp