When LSAC canceled the April 2020 LSAT, they also announced a new take-from-home LSAT, called the LSAT-Flex. The information about LSAT-Flex didn’t come out all at once, so we thought we’d collect all that information for you in one place (here!).

Read on to learn about when and how LSAT-Flex will be administered, what the test will look like after LSAT-Flex goes away, and our best advice to estimate your score and prepare for this unprecedented 3-section LSAT!

• Update 2/19/21:  June 2021 is the final LSAT-Flex! LSAC announced that August 2021 will mark the beginning of a new version of the LSAT that includes an additional section. This section will be unscored and can be of any type. It will be used to gauge the difficulty of LSAT questions for future administrations of the test. The new version of the LSAT will continue to be offered remotely through at least June of 2022.
• Update 11/02/20:  LSAC has (finally!) released some practice tests in  LSAT-Flex format! Students can access a free version of PT 73 in Flex format using LSAC’s official digital preparation tool, Official LSAT Prep. Students who have purchased the 1-year subscription to Official LSAT Prep Plus, aka LawHub, can access an additional LSAT-Flex: the actual May 2020 LSAT-Flex. 
• Update 8/19/20: The North American October 3rd LSAT exams will count towards the number of times a candidate can take the LSAT in a year (3), in a two-year period (5), and in a lifetime (7). 
• Update 7/9/20: LSAC Announces “Score Preview” in advance of the August LSAT-Flex. Score Preview is a new, paid feature that allows first-time LSAT takers to preview their score before deciding whether to keep or cancel. Learn more in the Score Preview section of this post!

What is LSAT-Flex?

LSAT-Flex is a remote test, meaning you take it from the comfort of your own home. But, like the in-person LSAT, it is also a proctored test. An organization called ProctorU that specializes in remote testing is coordinating the administration of the test. During the test, you’ll be interacting with a live proctor who is watching you online, and you’ll be recorded by AI software that will watch for any illicit activity. 

LSAT-Flex will use the same digital test interface as the Law Hub practice platform. The biggest difference between the in-person LSAT and LSAT-Flex is that LSAT-Flex has only three sections: one Logical Reasoning, one Reading Comprehension, and one Logic Games (aka Analytic Reasoning). The sections are administered continuously with no break. 

How is the LSAT changing in 2021?

After the June 2021 exam, LSAT-Flex will  be replaced by a new version of the LSAT. The biggest difference between LSAT-Flex and the new LSAT is that the new LSAT will have an additional unscored section and a short break between sections two and three. For at least the next few years, the LSAT will include three scored sections and one unscored “variable” section. 

LSAC released a statement saying that all LSATs through at least June of 2022 will be proctored remotely, so even though they aren’t technically LSAT-Flex tests, you can still plan on taking the test from the safety and comfort of your own home. That said, they left open the possibility that some of these tests might also be offered in-person once in-person testing is deemed safe to resume. 

This is important because it speaks to why LSAC has decided to institute these test-changes for the foreseeable future, and not just the lifetime of remote testing. In order for the LSAT to remain a rigorously standardized test,  in-person testing and remote testing have to result in similar outcomes. The number of sections and the existence/placement of a break can impact test-taker outcomes, so LSAC has decided to make those things consistent regardless of whether you take the exam remotely or in-person. 

Like LSAT-Flex, the remote version of the new LSAT will be taken on the LawHub test interface and proctored remotely by ProctorU. 

Is the New Remote LSAT Different from LSAT-Flex?

The only difference between the new remote LSAT and LSAT-Flex is that the new remote LSAT has four sections, which necessitates a break between sections two and three.

Only three of these sections are scored, however. Just like on LSAT-Flex, there will be one scored section of each type. But unlike LSAT-Flex, the new LSAT will also include a “variable” section: an unscored section, that can be of any type, which LSAC will use internally to help them develop future LSATs. 

Everything else about the new remote LSAT is identical to LSAT-Flex, including the tech requirements, scratch paper allotment, and access to testing accommodations.

Do I Need a Tablet for LSAT-Flex or the new remote LSAT?

No! In fact, tablets and Google Chromebooks are not supported! You must take LSAT-Flex and the new remote LSAT on either a laptop or desktop computer, with either a Mac or a Windows operating system. You also need a working webcam and microphone. Proctor U has a helpful FAQ page where you can read about the equipment requirements.

What If I Don’t Have the Right Equipment for LSAT-Flex or the new remote LSAT?

LSAC is doing their best to make sure that LSAT-Flex and the new remote LSAT offer a fair testing experience. If you wish to take a remote LSAT or an LSAT-Flex but don’t have the necessary equipment or an acceptable room in which to take the exam, reach out to LSAC Candidate Services. They say they’ll help candidates secure loaner equipment, and even help folks find a safe and acceptable location in which to take the exam. 

Can I Get Testing Accommodations for LSAT-Flexor and the new LSAT?

Yes! If you were approved for testing accommodations by LSAC for an in-person exam, those accommodations transfer to LSAT-Flex. The requirements to secure accommodations for the new LSAT are the same as they were pre-pandemic.

Can I Use Scratch Paper on LSAT-Flex and the new remote LSAT?

Yes! Test-takers are allowed 5 sheets of scratch paper. It hasn’t been specified what size or type of paper is acceptable. If you write big or use a lot of scratch paper, we suggest having a legal pad available, and a regular notebook or printer paper. Try to use the bigger paper, and if you get denied, revert to the standard 8.5 x 11.

Why is LSAT-Flex Only 3 Sections?

Why the choice to make LSAT-Flex three sections instead of the usual five? The official line from LSAC is “to meet the anticipated demand and the needs of the remote testing solution.” In other words, a lot of people are going to be taking this thing, and the longer the test, the harder it is to find enough proctors. 

Why is the new LSAT 4 Sections?

Now that online proctoring has become routine, we suspect that LSAC was able to push for a longer test with a fourth section so that they could finally resume the process of validating new questions for future LSATs. While a longer test may not be exciting for those looking to take the exam soon, a well-constructed exam with rigorously standardized questions is good for all LSAT takers, so we welcome the move to include the so-called “variable” section. 

Some of you may be wondering why the LSAT isn’t returning to its original, five-section format. We suspect it’s a way of ensuring that the scores from LSAT-Flex exams are comparable to LSAT scores achieved over the next few years. When the data on the 2020 testing year came out, it showed that test-takers performed a bit better, on average, on LSAT-Flex than test-takers had on the in-person, 5-section tests from 2019. It’s important to the law school admissions process that the scores attained one year indicate the same level of mastery as scores attained in any other year. So, we believe they’ve shortened the test (and, by extension, retained the new weight of each section in the exam) to ensure that future students aren’t disadvantaged compared to those who took the three-section LSAT-Flex.

When is LSAT-Flex Offered?

The first LSAT-Flex was administered in June of 2020, and the last will be administered in June of 2021. August 2021 marks the first administration of the new, four-section LSAT. It will be administered remotely, as will all exams with officially released dates, through at least June of 2022.

LSAC will continue offering LSAT-Flex dates until in-person testing can be safely resumed.

Do LSAT-Flex and the new remote LSAT count toward the number of times I can take the LSAT?

Yes it does! When LSAT-Flex was first released into the wild, it was not counted towards any limits placed on the number of times you can take the LSAT. That changed in the fall of 2020, and the October LSAT-Flex was the first LSAT-Flex to count towards those limits. LSAC places annual (3x), multiyear (5x), and lifetime (7x) limits on taking the LSAT , so don’t use an official test as a trial run. Only take the LSAT when you’re fully prepped and regularly hitting a practice test score that you would be happy with on test day!

How are LSAT-Flex Scored and the new LSAT scored?

Because LSAT-Flex  and the new LSAT both have three scored sections instead of four, the scoring is different than it was on LSATs past. LSAT-Flex and the new LSAT include one scored section of each type. This is a big break with all previous LSATs because they all included 2 scored Logical Reasoning sections. 

Traditionally, those two sections of Logical Reasoning accounted for 50% of your score. On LSAT-Flex and the new LSAT, the single section of Logical Reasoning will account for only 33% of your score. That means, for the foreseeable future, studying Logical Reasoning will not give you a bigger return on investment than studying the other sections. 

That’s a major test change, to be sure, but for most test takers, the impact on their actual scaled score will be relatively minor. Those who are strongest in Logical Reasoning may see their scores decrease slightly, and those who are stronger in Games or Reading Comp may see a slight increase. The bigger the difference between your Logical Reasoning score and your other scores, the more the new scoring module will impact you. 

If you’re wondering what this might mean for you, try this simple DIY LSAT-Flex Score Calculation! (If you’ll be taking the new LSAT, not LSAT-Flex, try the score calculation described in the “How Should I Prepare for the New 4-Section LSAT” section, below.) Take a recent PrepTest and add up your raw score from the Reading Comprehension section, the Logic Games section, and your lower-scoring Logical Reasoning section. Multiply that number by 1.33. Use the new total as a raw score and convert to a scaled score according to that test’s score conversion chart. Then, do the same thing with your higher-scoring Logical Reasoning section. The two scaled scores will represent a range of what you might have scored on that test if it had been administered as an LSAT-Flex.

Let’s take a look at an example! If you took the June 2007 LSAT and got a raw score of 15 on the first Logical Reasoning section and 19 on the second, 20 in Logic Games, and 17 in Reading Comp, that adds up to a raw score of 71. That translates to a scaled score of 156. 

If you had taken that exam as an LSAT-Flex, you would have earned either 52 raw points (with LR section 1) or 56 raw points (with LR section 3). Multiply those both by 1.33 and you get 69 and 74, respectively. Those translate to a 155 and a 157, meaning your LSAT-Flex score wouldn’t differ substantially from your original 156.

How Should I Prepare for LSAT-Flex?

Academically speaking, you should prepare the same way you would prep for the in-person LSAT. But because each section carries equal weight, you should use that as a starting point for dividing your study time. There are a few practice tests available in LSAT-Flex format through LSAC’s official digital practice platform. When you take a 4-section PrepTest, select three sections to do, and be sure to do them continuously, with no break. 

The fact that LSAT-Flex is taken from home means you can get used to taking your PrepTests in the actual testing environment. Take advantage of that! Set up your room the way you will on test day, using the same machine, the same mouse, five sheets of scratch paper, and nothing but your water or juice box to drink. Put your phone away and just engage with the exam. 

If you have purchased LawHub, LSAC’s Digital PrepTest database, take those exams in Self-Paced mode, not Exam Mode, when you only do three sections. Exam Mode forces you to do all four sections before seeing your score, and you’re not going to want to wait for that! In Self-Paced Mode, you will still get the five minute warning and you will still get a “section over” alert badge. The section will remain open, though, so you have to be strict with yourself and immediately advance to the next section! 

When you’ve completed the three sections, add your raw points and use the score calculation method outlined in the section above.

How Should I Prepare for the New 4-Section LSAT?

Like LSAT-Flex, the new 4-Section LSAT has one scored section of each type. Splitting your study time evenly across the three sections is a good starting point for your preparation, especially if you hope to improve in all three sections. But gains in some sections are easier to make than in other sections, so don’t, for example, sacrifice Games practice in favor of RC practice just because the RC section has a few more questions. The Games section is frequently easier to improve upon, so you may get more points of score increase per unit of study time invested, making that study more worthwhile. 

If you’re prepping for a test that will include four sections, you’ll definitely want your PrepTests to include four sections as well. The easiest way to achieve this is to simply take an exam on LawHub. Every LawHub exam includes four sections. 

But while this may be the easiest way, it shouldn’t be the only way. If you just take the exams as presented in Law Hub, you won’t get the experience of taking an exam with two Logic Games sections or two Reading Comp sections. Since the variable section can be of any type, it’s smart to practice with every possible configuration. 

It’s also smart to vary the order of the sections, and to take a break between sections two and three. This means taking the exams in Self-Paced mode. And to make sure you’re ready to slay whatever section doubles up on test day, do some PrepTests with back-to-back Games sections, some with back-to-back Reading comp sections, and some with back-to back Logical Reasoning sections. In fact, you don’t have to limit yourself to full tests to get this kind of practice. Sitting down to do two consecutive sections of the same type “ala carte” is a great way to prepare for the four-section test. 

To simulate a 4-section exam with a non-LR variable section, choose an exam, then choose a second exam from which to pilfer the LG or RC section. Open both tests in Self-Paced mode on LawHub, using different tabs or different browsers. Decide in what order you wish to complete the sections, and schedule a short break between the second and third section. After completing all four sections, you can estimate your score using the strategy described below.

How is the New 4-Section LSAT Scored?

Like LSAT-Flex, the new 4-Section LSAT only has three scored sections. 

That means you’ll need to use some trickery to calculate scaled scores for your practice tests. If you’re taking all four sections from a single PrepTest (by taking both LR sections), calculate two scores. The first will be your raw score from the Games section, RC section, and your lower-scoring LR section, multiplied by 1.33, then converted to a scaled score using the score conversion chart for that exam. Get the second score by using the same process, this time with the higher-scoring LR section. The two numbers will represent the range of possible scores you might have achieved if that test had only one scored LR section. 

If you’re adding in a fourth section from a different preptest, you’ll calculate your score by adding together the raw scores of the three sections pulled from the same exam, multiplying the sum by 1.33, and converting to a scaled score using the score conversion chart for that exam. 

Score conversion charts for the exams on LawHub can be found by clicking the “help” button in the bottom left corner of your LawHub platform, but we’ve also linked them directly here.

What is the Score Preview option?

The August 2020 LSAT was the first test for which candidates could use the “Score Preview” feature. Score Preview is a paid feature that allows LSAT takers to preview their score before they decide whether to keep or cancel. 

Who is eligible for Score Preview?

Score Preview is available only to first-time LSAT takers. Students who have taken a previous administration of the LSAT are not eligible. 

When can you sign up for Score Preview?

Score preview can be purchased in the lead up to the first day of testing, or in the days following. If you don’t purchase Score Preview prior to your exam, LSAC tells us that you will be able to sign up from the day after the testing period to a week before the score release date.

How much does Score Preview cost?

If you sign up before the first day of testing for an LSAT-Flex administration, Score Preview will set you back 45 bucks. If you sign up after the first day of testing, it will set you back 75 bucks.

When are Score Previews released?

Previewed scores will be released on the same date as other scores, as long as you’ve completed the LSAT Writing sample and have no holds on your LSAC account. We recommend doing LSAT Writing within a few days of your actual LSAT to ensure that your score is released on time. 

How long do you have to decide whether to keep or cancel a Score Preview?

Candidates will have 6 days from the date they receive their score preview to decide whether to keep or cancel their score. 

Will law schools know that I saw my score before cancelling?

Nope! A Score Preview cancellation will show up just like a blind cancellation. 

Is Score Preview just for LSAT-Flex?

Nope! Score Preview appears to be here to stay. 

Should I get Score Preview?

Absolutely! We think that Score Preview is a great option for all first-time LSAT takers. It’s like buying “score insurance.” But since you can only use it once, we don’t recommend that you use it unless you’re really ready for the exam. Don’t rush to take an exam that you’re not ready for and squander your opportunity to really ensure that you get a score that reflects all of your hard work prepping! Don’t think of this as an opportunity to get a free stab at the exam without putting in the work. Make the most of Score Preview by prepping thoroughly and only taking the exam when you’re consistently getting practice test scores that you would be happy to see on your LSAC Candidate report.

Where can I learn more about Score Preview?

You can read more about Score Preview on LSAC’s Score Preview FAQ page. 

The Final Word LSAT-Flex and the New 4-Section LSAT

This is an evolving situation, so stay informed by visiting LSAC’s new dedicated webpage and our Coronavirus LSAT Update blog post. We’re running lots of online classes, tutoring, and workshops during the lead up to the final LSAT-Flex, and, as always, you can sit in in any of our Live Online Classes for free! We hope to see you there. Happy Studying!

Check out our free resources, books, self-study program, or try a class for free!

Laura Damone is a Manhattan Prep instructor based in San Francisco, CA. She fell for the LSAT while getting her undergrad degree and has now taught LSAT classes at more than 20 universities around the country. When she’s not teaching, learning, or publishing her work, she can be found frolicking in the redwoods and exploring the Pacific coast. Check out Laura’s upcoming LSAT courses here!

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The LSAT is a standardized test used for law school admissions. It tests your ability to think critically, reason logically, and make deductions; all skills you’ll need to succeed in law school. Read on to learn more about what’s tested on the LSAT, how to prepare for the LSAT, and how the LSAT is scored.

About the LSAT

The LSAT is a multiple-choice test designed to measure your preparedness for law school by asking you to read critically, reason logically, and think analytically. The LSAT is the only test accepted by all ABA-accredited law schools in the United States and Canada. Although a few schools accept GRE scores in lieu of an LSAT score, a good LSAT score is widely considered to be the most important piece of a law school application, and the best indication of future law school success.  

What does LSAT stand for?

LSAT stands for “Law School Admission Test.” 

How to Register for the LSAT

The LSAT is administered by an organization called the LSAC: The Law School Admission Council. You’ll register for the LSAT through your LSAC.org account. The LSAT is typically offered 8 times throughout the year. Register early, as spots can fill up quickly. If you require any testing accommodations, communicate this to LSAC well in advance of the registration deadline for your preferred test date. The cost of the LSAT is $200.

LSAT Test Sections: What is on the LSAT?

The scored portion of the LSAT is a multiple choice exam. There is also a separate, unscored writing supplement called LSAT Writing that is completed remotely, some time after you take the scored exam.

The multiple choice exam is broken down into three categories: Logical Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning (aka Logic Games), and Reading Comprehension.

There is currently one scored section from each category. This is a major break with the pre-pandemic structure of the test, which used to contain five sections total and  two scored sections of Logical Reasoning. 

A little background on this change: Beginning in spring of 2020, in response to the global pandemic, a remote version of the LSAT, called LSAT-Flex, was created. LSAT-Flex exams were shorter than traditional LSATs because of the high demand for remote proctors. As of August 2021, the test will no longer be called LSAT-Flex, but it will continue to be offered remotely through at least June of 2022. 

In order to keep things fair, LSATs through at least 2023 will only contain three scored sections. But now that remote proctoring has become routine, LSAC has decided to reintroduce what they call the “variable” section in August of 2022. The variable section is an unscored section, which can be of any type, used to test questions for future administrations of the exam. While the variable section is unscored, you will NOT know which section is variable while you’re taking the exam, so take every section as though your LSAT score depended on it!

In the Logical Reasoning Section, you’ll be asked to read 25-26 short passages and answer a question about each one. Read our 

The Reading Comprehension Section is similar to other reading comprehension tests you may have taken in the past. You’ll be given four passages, each with a set of 5-8 questions to answer. 

The Logic Games Section, on the other hand, is unlike anything you’ve seen on other tests. The section is composed of four puzzles, each with a set of rules from which you’ll make deductions. There is always more than one possible solution to the puzzle, and the 5-8 associated questions will ask you to solve the puzzle in different ways.

How long is the LSAT?

You’ll have 35 minutes to complete each of the scored multiple-choice sections of the LSAT. If you are taking the LSAT-Flex version of the exam, all three sections are taken consecutively. If you are taking an in-person version of the exam in or after August, 2021, you’ll be given a short break after the second section.

No matter how you take the scored portion of the LSAT, you’ll have 35 minutes to complete LSAT Writing. You’ll schedule it separately, and take it from home.

How hard is the LSAT?

There’s no way around it: the LSAT is a hard test. It’s not a content-based exam so much as it is a skills-based exam, and the specific skills it tests just aren’t taught in most undergraduate programs. But for exactly that reason, there’s no limit to the kind of improvement you can make over the course of your preparation: it’s simply a matter of building the right skills. There’s no way to cram for this test, and tips and tricks won’t get you far at all. But this test is incredibly learnable, so don’t be discouraged if you bomb your first few practice tests. With the right guidance, plenty of time to prepare, and a lot of hard work, you really can go from a low score to a high score.

How to prep for the LSAT

Because you can’t build skills overnight, plan on preparing for the LSAT for at least 3 months. During that 3 months, expect to spend 10-20 hours each week on your preparation. It’s not uncommon for students looking for a big score increase to prepare for 6 months or even more for the LSAT because there is a lot to learn. Choose a prep method that fits your learning style best; if you thrive on intellectual collaboration, and benefit from accountability, consider a live LSAT prep course with an instructor. If you do your best studying on your own, a highly-structured self-paced course might be your best option. And no matter how you prep, some one-on-one with an expert can go a long way, so working with a coach or a tutor is always a good option.

Read our top tips for fitting LSAT prep into a busy schedule.

LSAT Score Conversion, Ranges, and Percentiles

The LSAT is scored on a scale from 120 to 180. The number of questions you answer correctly (called your “raw score”) will correspond with a certain number on that 120-180 scale. You get one raw point for every correct answer. There is no penalty for incorrect answers, and no question carries more weight than any other.

After your raw score is converted to a scaled score, it is situated within a range called a “score band” that is reported to law schools along with your actual score. According to the LSAC, “LSAT scores are reported along with a score band because the estimate of proficiency provided by a given LSAT score is not perfectly accurate. A test taker’s actual proficiency in the skills tested on the LSAT may be slightly higher or slightly lower than that reflected by the score received on an officially administered LSAT.” Essentially, the score band is an acknowledgement by the LSAC that if you’d woken up on a different side of the bed that morning, you may have gotten a slightly different score: plus or minus three points. (Incidentally, this is also why I tell my students not to freak out if their score randomly drops 6 points on a PrepTest 3 weeks before test day. It doesn’t mean you all of sudden forgot everything you’d learned. It just means you took the “Murphy’s Law” test and everything that could go wrong did go wrong.)

To see how your scaled score stacks up against those of your fellow test-takers, you’ll look at your score’s percentile rankings. The percentile ranking tells you the percent of your peers that you beat with your score. So, for example, if you got a 161, you scored in the 80th percentile, beating the scores of 80% of test-takers. 

Raw score to scaled score conversions vary slightly from test to test, and percentile ranks change a little with every test administration, but the chart below gives you a good idea of how the three numbers historically lined up when the LSAT had 4 scored sections. To convert a raw score to a scaled score on a 3-section test, simply multiply the raw score by 1.33, then use the resulting number as the raw score and convert using the test’s official score conversion table.

What is a good LSAT score?

What you consider a good LSAT score depends on your educational goals. If you’re bent on attending one of the top 14 law programs, you’ll want to aim for a score in the high 160s and above. If you’ll only be happy at Harvard, Stanford, or Yale, aim to break into the 170’s. But there are plenty of great law schools that will accept scores lower than that. By definition, only 2% of test-takers can get that 98th percentile 170’s score, so cast a wide net when you research law programs. For reference, 

• A 90th-97th% score (165-169) will put you in the running for schools like Duke, University of Virginia, Columbia, New York University, University of Michigan—Ann Arbor, and Brigham Young University.
• A 75-89th% score (159-164) puts you on track for schools like Pepperdine University, Tulane University, the University of Colorado—Boulder, and Arizona State University.
• A 50th percentile LSAT score (~ 152) may be enough to help you get into schools like Texas A&M University, the University of Pittsburgh, Loyola University of New Orleans, and Syracuse University. 
• A score below the 50th percentile could still be enough for schools like Golden Gate University, Nova Southeastern University, and the University of South Dakota.

Average LSAT scores

The average LSAT score was 151.88 in 2020. Keep in mind, though, that this average includes the scores from a huge range of test-takers, including immensely-prepared near-perfect-scorers and low-scorers who didn’t study at all . The more important numbers for you to consider are the average scores for the programs to which you’re applying. Check admissions statistics and incoming class profiles for detailed information about where you stand in comparison to other applicants. If your GPA is at or below the median of a school’s entering class, aim for an LSAT score above the median for your best chance of admission. If your GPA is above the median of a school’s entering class, you might be able to get in with an LSAT score at or slightly below the median. If you can apply with both your LSAT and GPA above the median, you’ll be a really strong applicant at that school.

The Final Word on the LSAT

Preparing for the LSAT is the way to make your law school dreams come true, and we’re here for you every step of the way. Check out our free resources, books, self-study program, or better yet, come try a class for free! 

Happy Studying!

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If you’re reading this blog post, you probably already know how hard it can be to study for the LSAT. The three different sections cover vastly different subject matter (I’m looking at you, Logic Games), the test is about how you think, not what you know, and on top of all that, the stakes are incredibly high! Because of all this, when you’re studying for the LSAT, you need to be strategic. This article will explore how to study for the LSAT to get the most out of your practice.

How to Study for the LSAT with Learning Science

As teachers, we’re fascinated by the science of how we learn. Recent discoveries in learning science are particularly fascinating because they have upended assumptions people have long held about how to study in general, and how to study for the LSAT specifically.

Interleaving

This is the practice of studying multiple topics in a given study session. When we dedicate an entire study session to doing sets of similar questions, by the end of the study session, we’re probably nailing them. This can make us feel like we’ve cemented our approach to those questions so fully that we’ll be good at them forever. But studies show that studying multiple topics in each session has considerably better outcomes. This may be because, when studying a single topic, we know what strategies we’ll be called on to use. When doing interleaved practice, we have to decide which strategies to use, and this decision-making is a critical first step to answering a question correctly.

The Takeaway?

Interleave while studying for the LSAT by studying a particular question, passage, or game type just long enough to feel like you have a solid foundation, then integrate mixed practice, preferably on related topics.

Spaced Repetition

This is the practice of studying a topic for a while, then backing off of it for a while, then studying it again. Why do this? Because, somewhat counter-intuitively, we learn things better when we give ourselves the chance to forget them. Spacing out your practice gives knowledge the chance to move out of your short-term memory and into your long-term memory. Some of it is going to get lost along the way, and that’s okay! Digging deep and trying to remember, then jogging your memory and relearning what you forgot, builds the neural connections that will eventually cement your knowledge in your long-term memory so you can use it on test day.

The Takeaway?

To use spaced repetition when studying for the LSAT, after working with a particular question, passage, or game type in your interleaved practice for a while, put it down. Step away. Do not disturb. A week or two later, reintroduce it to your interleaved practice. If you’re not totally nailing it, go back and review that topic in depth, interleave again, then drop it again. Rinse and repeat.

Studying for the LSAT by Reviewing

A common misconception among those studying for the LSAT: the more questions you do, the better you’ll do them. While it’s true that in order to study for the LSAT effectively, you’ll be required to do a lot of questions, when faced with the choice to do more questions or review the questions you just did, you should almost always opt to review.

Which questions should you review? Any questions you found challenging! Notice that I didn’t say “any questions you got wrong.” That’s because when deciding which questions to review, you should not have checked your answers yet. We call this “blind review.”

• While studying for the LSAT, flag any question you find challenging. (Be sure to include any question where you have it down to two answers and pick between them by going with your gut.)
• Then, go back and retry each of the flagged questions, recording your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
• With this list in hand, check the answer key and mark the questions you got wrong, but don’t record the correct answers.
• Go back to the questions you got wrong again and make a final attempt.
• After that attempt, check your answer.
• Figure out what made the wrong answers wrong and what made the right answer right.
• Then, figure out what made the wrong answers tempting and what made the right answer hard to pick.
• Still confused? Check out our LSAT forum for explanations and discussions of pretty much every LSAT problem ever.

As you study for the LSAT Reading Comprehension and Logic Games (Analytical Reasoning) sections, you’ll need to take some extra review steps aimed at ensuring you get the most out of your work with the passage or game setup.

When studying for the LSAT Reading Comprehension section:

• Re-read the passage carefully, looking for missed opportunities to annotate important features such as the author’s opinion, opposing viewpoints, examples given, and comparisons made.
• Jot down the role each paragraph serves in the passage and what subject it covers (we call this the passage map).
• Articulate the central debate, if there is one, and the central issue if there isn’t.
• Where does the author fall on that debate?
• Finally, in your own words, articulate the main point of the passage.

When reviewing the questions:

• Compare the answers to the big-picture questions with your articulation of the central debate (which we call the scale). Do they match? If not, go back and rehash your scale.
• Compare the answers to the more specific questions with the parts of the passage they reference. Not sure where to look? Then go back and rehash your passage map. You should have a pretty clear idea from your map and your annotations where the relevant info should be found.
• Get a line reference for every specific question you struggled with. Does it contain any missed annotation opportunities?
• Was there a line reference that led you to pick an incorrect answer? If so, dig into it to be sure you get why it was a red herring.

When studying for the LSAT’s Games section:

• Re-do your setup from scratch without looking at your previous version. Be sure to ask yourself easily-overlooked questions such as:
  • Does every element have to be used, and can any element repeat?
  • Does every element have a rule, or are some totally unrestricted?
  • Have I tried to combine any rules that share elements?
  • What rules, elements, or relationships are likely to drive this game?
  • Is there anything about this game that’s so restricted that it can only play out in 2 or 3 ways? If so, does playing it out cause a domino effect that would make it worthwhile to draw out both (or all three) possibilities?

When reviewing the questions:

• Notice if any are answered by an inference you made the second time around that you missed the first time through.
• Check your mini-diagrams. Are they accurate?
• Consider whether any of the later questions could have been answered using work you did for earlier questions.

How to Study for the LSAT Using Analysis

Studying for the LSAT will necessarily involve taking timed practice tests. A 4-section practice test takes almost two-and-a-half hours of your life. That’s two-and-a-half hours you’ll never get back. You better make it worth it!

In addition to thoroughly reviewing all the material you struggled with, you should also perform some data analysis, or better yet, let our LSAT Navigator do it for you!

Plug your answers into the Navigator. It’ll show you the breakdown of each question, passage, and game type and your performance on it. Use this information to target areas of weakness the next time you study for the LSAT.

Take special note of any questions that you flagged or missed that are decidedly within your wheelhouse. Questions on the Navigator are ranked by difficulty. Why did you miss those easier questions? Were you rushing through the easier ones but compromising your accuracy? Or do these misses indicate that you’ve forgotten something fundamental about that question, passage, or game type?

How to Study for the LSAT Without Losing Your Mind

Studying for the LSAT is a test of mental fortitude, and studying for the LSAT effectively requires that you attend to your mental state. Here are the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

When you study for the LSAT exhausted:

• If your life pre-LSAT is incredibly busy, you might need to start prepping well before a student who has more time each week to prep. That’s because our brains don’t learn as well when we’re not getting adequate sleep. Giving yourself a longer study period allows you to get the study time you need without burning the candle at both ends.
• Schedule your study time in the morning to ensure you’re not too tired from a long day to learn. If you can take your test at a similar hour, it has the added bonus of helping you recall information on test day.

When you study for the LSAT until you’re burnt out:

• Don’t study every day.
• Don’t study in marathon sessions. Shorter sessions spread over longer intervals are better at cementing knowledge for many of the reasons described in the learning science section.
• Use appropriately-spaced longer study sessions in moderation to build the stamina you’ll need for test day.

Studying for the LSAT haphazardly:

• Dedicate some time each week to set out a (realistic!) study schedule. Decide what material you want to cover, when you want to cover it, mark your calendar, and keep your commitment to yourself.
• At the start of each study session, decide on a few things that you’ll try to do during the session (we call this “setting intentions”). You might, for example, set the intentions to articulate why each wrong answer is wrong, and to actively identify the conclusion in every argument. Setting intentions like these makes study more productive because it channels your energy into concrete practices that improve performance.
• Keep a log of the concepts that are challenging for you and specific strategies for overcoming those challenges. Use the format “The next time I see ___, I will ___” to help you identify opportunities to use your strategies and convert them into points!

Studying for the LSAT while you’re thinking about something else:

• Have you ever read an LSAT question and realize that you have no idea what it said? Maybe you were thinking about what to make for dinner? Yeah, me too. To improve focus and help avoid distractions, set aside ten minutes each day to devote to meditation or another mindfulness practice. Studies have shown that a daily mindfulness practice can dramatically improve standardized test scores.

How to Study for the LSAT: The Final Word

It’s best to study with support, whether you’re just embarking on your journey studying for the LSAT or whether you’re well into your LSAT preparation. Whether it comes in the form of free resources like our LSAT forum, and LSAT Navigator, or it involves working with one of our stellar instructors, we’re here to support you on your journey every step of the way. Want to learn more? Sign up to take the first session of any of our LSAT classes for free!

Laura Damone is a Manhattan Prep instructor based in San Francisco, CA. She fell for the LSAT while getting her undergrad degree and has now taught LSAT classes at more than 20 universities around the country. When she’s not teaching, learning, or publishing her work, she can be found frolicking in the redwoods and exploring the Pacific coast. Check out Laura’s upcoming LSAT courses here!

The post How to Study for the LSAT appeared first on LSAT.

Law schools consider several different factors when making admission decisions. Your academic record, work experience, personal statement, and recommendations will all play a role. A good LSAT score by itself won’t necessarily get you into your dream law school, but it is an important factor. All ABA-approved law schools accept the LSAT, and it carries more weight with most schools than your GPA does.

Understanding LSAT Scores

Every time you take a practice test, you actually get two LSAT scores:  your raw score and your scaled score. Your raw score is your total number of correct answers. There is no penalty or deduction for an incorrect answer. Your raw score converts to a scaled score between 120 and 180. When someone talks about an LSAT score, this scaled score is almost always what they’re referring to. It’s also known as the “reported score.”

Every time you take a practice test, you actually get two LSAT scores:  your raw score and your scaled score.No matter which test you take, or the total number of questions, 120 will always be the lowest scaled score that you can earn and 180 will be the highest.

So, 150 is an Average LSAT Score, Right?

Not exactly. You’ll usually see the average LSAT score described as around 151, which is based on the scores that people actually earn when taking the test. More specifically, a score of 152 will put you above the 50th percentile. This means that you earned a higher score than 50% of the people who take the test.

Law schools approved by the American Bar Association are required to publish the 50th-percentile score for their school, which is the median LSAT score for their incoming class. Half of the school’s incoming students will have a score above the median, and half will have a score at or below. Among the 192 law schools ranked by U.S. News & World Report in 2019, the average median LSAT score was 156. If we were to speak about a good LSAT score in very broad terms, 157 or above would be a reasonable place to start. Anything above 160 is not a bad LSAT score.

Enough About Median…Let’s Talk About You

To properly frame any discussion about a good LSAT score, we need to consider the law school that you want to attend. What is your dream school? Where do you really want to spend these three years of your life? You’ll also want to have a few alternatives in mind as a backup plan.

Then it’s time to do research. You’ll be able to find admissions data on a law school’s website, including the school’s median LSAT score. As an example, here’s where you’ll find the information for Yale Law School.

Again, speaking broadly, a good LSAT score for you personally would be one that’s above your dream school’s median. An LSAT score above the median can significantly increase your chances of being admitted. If your LSAT score is below the median then you’ll be relying much more heavily on other factors, such as your GPA. You might still be facing an uphill battle, though, since the LSAT often plays a dominant role in admissions decisions even among other important factors.

In order to have a competitive application, you’ll generally need a score above the school’s median, but you’ll also want to note a law school’s 75th and 25th-percentile LSAT scores. A score above the 75th percentile will put you above 3 out of 4 students enrolled, which makes it a very worthy goal. On the other end of the scale, you could still be admitted with a score below the 25th percentile, but that’s far from an ideal position to be in when you apply.

“I’m Aiming for a Top Law School. What Kind of LSAT Score Do I Need?”

The average median LSAT score for top-14 schools in 2018 was just under 170. A 170 puts you in the 97th percentile among all LSAT test-takers. Two of the top three schools, Yale and Harvard, reported a median LSAT score of 173, which would put you in the 99th percentile.

Many people aim for scores in this range. And why not? If you want to go to law school, why wouldn’t you want an LSAT score that can get you into a top school? A high LSAT score can also lead to significant financial assistance. But only a small percentage of test takers actually achieve scores in the 170s. The percentile rankings tell the story. Earning a 97th-percentile score means that fewer than 30 people out of 1000 scored higher than you. If you hit the 99th percentile, it’s fewer than 10 out of 1000.

We’re not trying to freak you out or discourage you. On the contrary, our goal is to motivate you. Some fortunate folks earn scores in the 170s with very little effort, but a lot of people have to work for it. It’s not unusual at all for people to spend several months preparing for the test, especially if they’re aiming for a 170+ score, or even for the high 160s.

If you’re at the very beginning of your LSAT adventures, be sure to take a full diagnostic LSAT practice test. Everyone starts somewhere, and it’s important to know your own personal starting point. Some people are pleasantly surprised by their score on their first LSAT practice test. Others learn that they have quite a journey ahead of them. The LSAT tests a specific set of reasoning and reading skills. These skills can be learned and improved—that’s the good news.

However, the LSAT is not testing how much you know about any particular topic. Previous academic success isn’t a reliable indicator of how high your LSAT score is likely to be, either. The only way to know how you’ll do right now, with your current abilities, is to take a practice test.

“I’m Not Aiming for a Top-14 School. What Would Be a Good LSAT Score for Me?”

Even if you aren’t eyeing a top-14 school, you’ll still want to take a practice test, gather LSAT score information for the schools that interest you, and make a game plan. You should know the 25th, 50th, and 75th-percentile scores for the schools that you want to attend. Remember, among 192 law schools, the average median LSAT score was still 156. This is several points above the 151–152 average for all test-takers. People often find themselves needing a fair amount of prep to push their score into the high 150s or 160s.

And why limit yourself? Even if you’re looking at a school with a median LSAT score in the mid-150s, a higher score can expand your options—and could even help you go to law school for free. In five or ten years, when you’re looking back, the extra effort and time you spend preparing for the LSAT might seem like a very worthwhile investment.

The post What’s a Good LSAT Score? appeared first on LSAT.

At Manhattan Prep, we’ve been closely monitoring the effects of COVID-19 in our communities. This is an immensely difficult time and our thoughts are with all those who are impacted. Our top commitment is to the health and safety of our employees, our students, and our partners. 

Update 2/19/21: To ensure the safety of all test-takers, the LSAT will continue to be offered remotely through June of 2022. However, June 2021 will be the last LSAT-Flex!   Beginning in August 2021, the LSAT will include an additional unscored section, which could be of any type. The test writers use the unscored section to gauge the difficulty of new LSAT questions for future tests. You won’t know which section is unscored, but because this means a longer exam, you’ll get a short break half way through, between sections 2 and 3. You can read more about the new LSAT on LSAC’s dedicated webpage.

Update 10/15: The North American January, February, April, and June LSAT exams will be administered as LSAT-Flex.

Update 8/19: The North American October 3rd LSAT will be administered as an LSAT-Flex. Registration is open through Friday, August 21st. Most testing will take place on October 4th and October 10th. This test will be undisclosed, and score release is slated for October 23rd. This test will also count towards the number of times a candidate can take the LSAT in a year (3), in a two-year period (5), and in a lifetime (7).

Update 7/9: LSAC Announces “Score Preview” in advance of the August LSAT-Flex. Score Preview is a new, paid feature that allows first-time LSAT takers to preview their score before deciding whether to keep or cancel. Learn more in the Score Preview section of our LSAT Flex Blog.

We know that COVID-19 is deeply disrupting your life right now, and it has the potential to delay your long-term goals for your career and education. You can still study effectively, though, and it’s also fine to delay your studies if needed—the LSAT isn’t going anywhere and neither are we.

To that end, we want you to know that we’re here for you. Here are ways we’re working to help you continue to achieve your goals, even in these tough circumstances:

• We’re Still Teaching Live (Online): Our services, including live teacher instruction, are still available, however our in-person classes and tutoring will be meeting online for now. You can try any of our classes for free (no credit card needed) to see whether it’s the right fit for you. Our online classes are small in size, have our expert 99th-percentile instructors, and cover the same rigorous curriculum as our in-person offerings.
• We’re Keeping You Up To Date: As updates come from law schools and LSAC, we’ll keep you in the loop. Below are some resources we recommend for staying in the know, study and work from home advice, plus some additional stress-relief.  

We appreciate having you in our community and we’ve got your back. While this is an uncertain time, our team is leaning in every day to support you, and together we’re going to get through it.  

Thanks and stay healthy,

The Manhattan Prep Team

Study Advice & Recommended Resources

LSAT & STUDYING:

• UPDATE 2/19/21: Remote LSAT Dates have been announced through June of 2022. However, June 2021 will be the last LSAT-Flex! Beginning in August 2021, the LSAT will include an additional unscored section, which could be of any type. The test writers use the unscored section to gauge the difficulty of new LSAT questions for future tests. You won’t know which section is unscored, but because this means a longer exam, you’ll get a short break half way through, between sections 2 and 3.  You can read more about the new LSAT on LSAC’s dedicated webpage.
• UPDATE 8/19: The October LSAT will be administered as an LSAT-Flex. Registration is open through Friday, August 21st.  It will be the first LSAT-Flex to count towards the annual, multiyear, and lifetime limits on taking the LSAT. It will also be the second test for which candidates can use the new “Score Preview” feature. Score Preview is a paid feature ($45 if you buy in advance, $75 if you buy day-of) that allows LSAT takers to preview their score before they decide whether to keep or cancel. Score Preview is available only to first-time LSAT takers. Students who have taken a previous administration of the LSAT are not eligible. Previewed scores will be released on the same date as other scores, and candidates will have 6 days from that date to decide whether to keep or cancel.
• UPDATE 7/9: The August LSAT will be administered as an LSAT-Flex. It will also be the first test for which candidates can use the new “Score Preview” feature. Score Preview is a paid feature ($45 if you buy in advance, $75 if you buy day-of) that allows LSAT takers to preview their score before they decide whether to keep or cancel. Score Preview is available only to first-time LSAT takers. Students who have taken a previous administration of the LSAT are not eligible. Previewed scores will be released on the same date as other scores, and candidates will have 6 days from that date to decide whether to keep or cancel. 
• We think that Score Preview is a great option for all first-time LSAT takers. It’s like buying “score insurance.” But since you can only use it once, we don’t recommend that you use it unless you’re really ready for the exam. Don’t rush to take an exam that you’re not ready for and squander your opportunity to really ensure that you get a score that reflects all of your hard work prepping! 
• You can read more about Score Preview on LSAC’s Score Preview FAQ page. 
• You can stay informed about LSAT news directly from LSAC’s Coronavirus and the LSAT Update Page. 

LSAT-Flex and the New Remote LSAT

When LSAC canceled the April 2020 LSAT, they also announced a new take-from-home LSAT called LSAT-Flex. While LSAT-Flex is going away after June of 2021, the LSAT will continue to be administered remotely through at least June of 2022. 

Remote LSATs will use the same digital test interface as the Law Hub practice platform. The biggest difference between the old in-person LSAT and new, remote LSATs is that the new LSATs have only three scored sections: one Logical Reasoning, one Reading Comprehension, and one Logic Games (aka Analytic Reasoning). One LSAT-Flex, the sections are administered continuously with no break. On the new remote LSAT (August 2021 and beyond), there will be an additional, unscored section, taking the test length to four sections instead of three. This necessitates a break, which will be given in the middle of the exam, between sections two and three. If and when LSAT testing resumes in person, the 4-section model will continue, at least for the next few years, according to LSAC.

In addition to impacting the length of the exam, the move to three scored sections impacts score calculation. Traditionally, the two sections of Logical Reasoning accounted for 50% of your score. Now, the single section of Logical Reasoning will account for only 33% of your score. That means studying Logical Reasoning will not give you a bigger return on investment than studying the other sections.

Remote LSATs can be taken on a laptop or desktop computer with either a Mac or Windows operating system. You also need a working webcam and microphone. Google Chromebooks and tablets are not supported. The organization administering LSAT-Flex is ProctorU. You can read about the equipment requirements on their FAQ page. If you are registered for LSAT-Flex but don’t have the necessary equipment, or an acceptable room in which to take the exam, reach out to LSAC Candidate Services. 

If you were approved for testing accommodations by LSAC for an in-person exam, those accommodations transfer to LSAT-Flex. LSAC will reach out to students in the coming weeks about how those accommodations will be provided. 

WORK/STUDY/PLAY-FROM HOME:

• Harvard Business Review has both an article and a video on how to work from home efficiently. 
• Mindfulness is something MPrep recommends in everyday life, and especially now, it can be useful if you’re feeling anxious or need some techniques for self-care. Here’s a free 15 minute audio mindfulness meditation and also a 30 second video version. Or browse through this collection of free mindfulness resources.
• The Museum Computer Network nonprofit has an extensive list of virtual museum tours, e-learning, and online collections. Check it out here.
• MIT has virtually all of their course content available online for free at this site.
• The Metropolitan Opera has free live audio streams of their operas here. 
• Broadway Plays and Musicals have live streams available here.
• Here’s 43 recipes for cooking with whatever’s in your pantry.
• And here are some penguins visiting other animals in their aquarium. Because penguins!

RELATED: 

• LSAT-Flex: Everything You Need to Know
• I Took the LSAT-Flex. Here’s What Happened.
• Coronavirus GRE Updates
• Coronavirus GMAT Updates

The post Coronavirus LSAT Updates appeared first on LSAT.

On July 11th I had a close encounter with the rare and elusive LSAT-Flex. Okay, it’s not really rare, and it’s not elusive, but it is fairly new. LSAC started offering the LSAT-Flex this past May as a temporary replacement for the standard, in-person LSAT. Every LSAT from May 2020 through June 2021 is an LSAT-Flex.

• Update2/19/21: June 2021 will be the last LSAT-Flex! The LSAT will continue to be offered remotely through June of 2022, and it will continue to have only 3 scored sections, one of each type. But, beginning in August 2021, the LSAT will also have an  unscored section, which could be of any type. The test writers use the unscored section to gauge the difficulty of new LSAT questions for future tests. You won’t know which section is unscored, but because this means a longer exam, you’ll get a short break half way through, between sections 2 and 3.  You can read more about the new LSAT on LSAC’s dedicated webpage.

LSAC has announced LSAT-Flex test dates through June 2021, and remote 4-section LSAT dates through June 2022. To the best of our knowledge, the remote 4-section LSAT will be administered just like LSAT-Flex, so all the info in this blog can be applied to your preparation for August 2021 and beyond!

Taking this July LSAT gave me a chance to see what the LSAT-Flex is like from the test-takers perspective. This wasn’t my first time taking an actual LSAT (Manhattan Prep requires all of our LSAT instructors to have a 99th percentile score). But it was very useful to get firsthand experience with the LSAT-Flex. In this article I’ll describe my overall experience with the test and share suggestions that will help you prepare for this remote, at-home version of the LSAT.

If you’re looking for basic information about what the LSAT-Flex is and how it’s different from a standard LSAT, start by reading this post on our LSAT blog. You’ll get a good overview and some initial advice about preparing for the test. This page on LSAC’s website goes into more detail and answers common questions.

It’s worth noting at this point that everything went smoothly for me on test day. I didn’t experience any significant delays, tech issues, or miscommunication with the proctor. However, other people have reported these issues. While I can’t guarantee that your test day experience will be as smooth as mine was, I’ll offer some suggestions that can increase the likelihood of things going smoothly.

Preparing to Take the LSAT-Flex

When I registered for the July LSAT, LSAC had already announced that it would be an LSAT-Flex. Thus, I was a bit surprised to get an email from LSAC with information about taking the in-person LSAT. If you get an email like this and are concerned, sign in to your LSAC account. If the test you’re registered to take has been switched to an LSAT-Flex, your LSAC account should indicate that.

A few weeks before test day I received an email about scheduling the exact date and time for my test. This is another difference between the in-person LSAT and the LSAT-Flex. On the LSAT-Flex, you can choose the date and time for your test from a list of available options spanning a few different days. 

The online reservation tool that allows you to pick your day and time becomes active about two weeks before the test date. LSAC recommends choosing your time slot as soon as possible. This is good advice, especially if you have a strong preference for a certain day or time. Fortunately it’s not like getting tickets for Burning Man or Hamilton. I used the reservation tool a few hours after it became available and still had a number of appealing time slots to choose from. Still, it’s better to do this earlier than later.

An email from LSAC also instructed me to create an account with ProctorU, the company that handles the remote proctoring of the exam. I was instructed to check ProctorU’s system requirements and test my equipment via their website to make sure that it met their specifications.

You definitely don’t need a shiny new computer to take this test. I used a 2012 MacBook Pro that I keep around like a favorite old pair of jeans. It worked totally fine on test day. It did initially fail some parts of ProctorU’s equipment test, but switching to a different web browser solved that problem. If you run into problems with the equipment test and switching browsers doesn’t help, read the information on ProctorU’s support pages. If you still have problems, contact ProctorU for help.

Even if you have a brand-new computer and a superfast internet connection, do all of these checks well before test day. My “work computer,” a fairly new Dell laptop, also failed the equipment test at first. If there is a problem, you’ll want plenty of time to fix it. And you definitely don’t want the stress and hassle of trying to sort this out on the night before or day of your LSAT.

LSAT-Flex Pro Tip #1

Keep an eye open for any emails from LSAC. Read them right away and follow any setup instructions well in advance of the test date.

LSAT-Flex Countdown: The Days Before the Test

A few days before the exam, I received another email from LSAC with a few final setup steps and the instructions to follow on test day. Again, be sure to read all of this information when you get it and follow any final setup steps.

On test day, I signed in to my ProctorU account about 10 minutes before my scheduled reporting time. The instructions from LSAC stated that I would see a “Start Session” button, but it wasn’t there, which was slightly confusing. Instead, I saw a timer counting down the final minutes to my start time. The countdown was set to finish a couple of minutes before my actual start time, and I hadn’t heard about any large alien spacecraft hovering over Earth’s major cities, so it seemed sensible to wait until the timer finished its countdown and see what would happen next. Once the countdown ended, the “Start Session” button appeared. Voila!

When I clicked the “Start Session” button, a set of on-screen instructions guided me through a few more setup steps. The ProctorU site then connected me with a proctor. I only had to wait about a minute for the proctor to appear. The proctor used the chat window to guide me through some additional pre-test procedures, like holding up my scrap paper for inspection and using my webcam to give the proctor a tour of the room that I was in.

LSAT-Flex Pro Tip #2

Don’t rush through these final setup steps. You might be eager to start the test itself, but read the on-screen instructions carefully and take your time following them. It seems reasonable to assume that, once you click the “Start Session” button on the ProctorU website, you’ve fulfilled your duty to arrive on time. There’s no reason to rush through these next pre-test steps. Taking time to follow the instructions carefully might help you avoid unnecessary problems.

LSAC’s official rules allow you to bring five sheets of blank scrap paper to the LSAT-Flex. Some people have asked whether the scrap paper needs to be the standard letter / A4 size, or if larger paper is allowed. I used 9 x 12 inch drawing paper (22.9 x 30.5 cm). The proctor had no problem with it. Legal paper (8.5 x 14 in. / 27.9 x 43.2 cm) is probably also fine. If you’re worried that your larger paper might be rejected by a proctor, have some letter or A4 paper around and be ready to use that instead.

I had an analog wristwatch on my desk. I didn’t use it, since the LSAT-Flex provides an onscreen timer that obviates the need for a watch, but LSAC allows you to have one. I also had a quiver of 12 or so pencils on my desk. Who has time to sharpen a pencil in the middle of a logic games section?

Ready, Set, LawHub!

When it’s time to actually start the test, the Proctor will direct you to sign in to your LSAC LawHub account. The LSAT itself runs inside LawHub just like an official practice test. If you’ve been using LSAC’s Official LSAT Prep Plus to practice for the LSAT then everything from this point on should be familiar. Instead of choosing a PrepTest, you’ll be guided to the real test.

This makes taking official practice tests through LawHub very useful when preparing for the LSAT. If you’re not going to pay for Official Prep Plus, be sure to at least complete the online PrepTests that LSAC has available through their free Official LSAT Prep.

There is one notable difference between the LawHub PrepTests and the LSAT. When the LSAT starts an initial screen will appear with a dark green box on the right side. This box contains the directions for the first section and a “Begin” button. It’s basically the same screen that appears at the beginning of a LawHub PrepTest. The difference is that, on the actual LSAT, there will also be a one-minute countdown timer above the “Begin” button. When the timer counts down to zero, you’ll automatically advance to the next screen. You can also advance to the next screen by clicking “Begin.”

LSAT-Flex Pro Tip #3

On the actual test, instead of clicking “Begin” to start the section, let the one-minute timer count down to zero. This gives you a moment to relax, take a deep breath, roll your shoulders, and get your head in the game.

The next screen displays the section number, total time, number of questions, directions for the section (which are the same as the ones on the previous screen), and a “Go to Questions” button. When you get to this screen there will be a 35-minute section timer in the upper right corner. Like the previous screen, this is the same as the screen that you’ll see in a LawHub PrepTest. The section timer will be running right away, just like in LawHub, so don’t loiter on this screen! Click the “Go to Questions” button to start working on the section.

This cycle will repeat at the start of every section. Use this to your advantage. The one-minute countdown timer gives you a chance to take a few deep breaths and refocus your attention before starting the next section.

Getting Ready for LSAT Test Day

As noted above, our earlier LSAT-Flex blog post by Laura Damone has some good information about preparing for this test. It includes instructions for estimating your LSAT score after completing a practice test. Everything that I experienced while taking the LSAT-Flex is consistent with Laura’s good information and advice. 

You might notice that I haven’t written much about what happened while I was taking the actual test. That’s because, if all goes well, this part of the experience will be familiar for you. As noted earlier, the LSAT-Flex is nearly identical to an official LawHub PrepTest. One notable difference is that sections in the LawHub PrepTests always follow the same order (LG, LR, LR, RC). The order on your LSAT-Flex might be different. Other than that, your goal should be to complete the real test exactly the same way as the PrepTests. Do exactly what you’ve practiced.

Problems on LSAT-Flex Test Day

What if everything doesn’t go smoothly for you? Maybe you know someone who had a tech issue on test day, or you heard that some people had to wait a long time for a proctor. What if that happens to you?

This brings us to one of the most important bits of advice that we can give you:

LSAT-Flex Pro Tip #4

Expect things to go wrong on test day.

There is always a chance that you’ll experience a problem beyond your control. Worrying about this possibility is an unneeded distraction. Simply accepting that problems can occur, and even expecting them to happen, can reduce the stress you experience if one does occur.

Focus on executing the skillful LSAT performance that you’ve been practicing. That’s your job on test day. Expect things to go wrong, and think about what you’ll do to keep calm and stay focused on the job that you’re there to perform.

Don’t make any other significant plans for the day of the test. Keep the rest of your schedule clear that day. If there’s a delay, you don’t need the added stress of wondering if you’ll finish in time to make it to your next engagement.

Many people find that meditation helps them focus and handle stress more effectively. Take a look at this post about meditation from our GMAT blog if you’d like to learn more. Or check out Beyond the Content, a book on mindfulness written specifically for test prep students by Manhattan Prep instructor Logan Thompson.

Scott Miller is a Manhattan Prep instructor based in Raleigh-Durham, NC. Scott has over 20 years of experience as a teacher and trainer and a love for teaching that has led him to some interesting careers, including skydiving instruction, wildlife sanctuary stewardship, and online computer skills training. He worked hard for his 173 LSAT score, and he has as much fun helping people master the challenges of the test as had overcoming those challenges himself. Learn more from Scott.

>> RELATED READING: LSAT Coronavirus Updates

>> KEEP STUDYING: How to Improve Your LSAT Score

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We incorporate the latest discoveries in learning science into our LSAT course to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of your prep. Want to see? Try the first session of any of our upcoming courses for free.

Hey! You there—are you looking for explanations to LSAT questions? We’ve got the goods. Browse our forum explanation bank, read explanations, and, if you’d like, join in the discussion—maybe even add your own two cents! While you’re at it, you might as well go ahead and bookmark this invaluable page now.

Don’t forget that you can attend the first session of any of our online or in-person LSAT courses absolutely free. We’re not kidding! Check out our upcoming courses here.

Noah Teitelbaum is a Manhattan Prep instructor based in Denver, Colorado. Noah is an educator in the purest sense, specializing in helping teachers develop both a critical eye to their own teaching and a sense of how to make classes effective and interesting. Not surprisingly, Noah’s students consistently garner record-breaking results. He himself has scored in the 99th percentile on both the GMAT and the LSAT. Check out Noah’s upcoming LSAT classes here.

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Although much of the law school application process has been standardized, there are still some aspects of it that change from school to school. One such aspect is the length of the law school personal statement.

To illustrate this point, let’s take a look at several schools’ personal statement length guidance:

• Harvard has strict requirements for length and formatting of personal statements: 2 pages maximum, 11pt minimum font size, 1-inch margins, double spaced
• Columbia asks for two double-spaced pages “using readable fonts and margins”
• UC Berkeley asks for a personal statement that is “ideally four, double-spaced pages”
• Georgetown states: “There is no minimum or maximum length. We do not feel that an applicant’s personal statement should be limited.”

These examples show that there is great variety in both length requirements and in specificity in describing those requirements.

So what is an applicant to do? Most applicants apply to ten or more schools, and it is unfeasible to write a different version of one’s personal statement for each school one applies to. Instead, we recommend that you write two versions of your personal statement: a 2-page version and a 3+ page version. These two versions, with some minor modifications, will satisfy all length requirements.

Start by writing the three-page version, finalize it, and then pare it down to a two-page version if necessary. (It will almost certainly be necessary: two pages is the most common length requirement.) The process of paring down the essay may be painful and may take several hours over a couple of sittings, but it is much easier than writing two different essays.

A few additional law school personal statement rules of thumb:

• Follow each school’s instructions to the letter. We mentioned Harvard’s requirements above: 2 pages, 11pt minimum font size, one-inch margins, double-spaced. If they spent the time putting together those requirements, they don’t want you to deviate from them.
• Don’t play games with margins, font size, etc. First of all, it’s obvious to the reader that you have changed the document properties to fit more words into less space. Second, it’s just less pleasant to read. Remember that there is an actual human being at the other end of this process, and he or she will not appreciate reading an essay that is cramped or significantly different in format from the other components of the application.
• Keep it brief. When no length is specified, only consider writing something longer than three pages if you have something truly compelling to say.
• Use a header. Create a header that includes your full name and LSAC number, and indicates that the document is your personal statement. Do this for every written component of your application, not just your personal statement, and make sure it’s on every page of the document. ?

Did you know that you can attend the first session of any of our online or in-person LSAT courses absolutely free? We’re not kidding! Check out our upcoming courses here.

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You’ve decided to go to law school. Excellent! Now you need to take the LSAT, and you’re doing your homework to find out what this test is all about. One question on your mind right now is, “When should I take the LSAT?” In this article we’ll look at a few different factors that will help you decide when to take the test.

The Law School Application Cycle

Law schools use a rolling admissions cycle. What does this mean? Instead of setting a single application deadline, accepting applications up until the deadline, and waiting until after that deadline to begin reviewing them, law schools evaluate applications as they receive them. They make admission decisions throughout the application period, rather than waiting until the end.

Most law schools start accepting applications in early September for students who will start in fall of the following year. They continue accepting applications through the end of January, and often beyond January, making offers to qualified applicants during this entire time.

In order to decide when to take the LSAT, you’ll need to consider when you plan to start law school… And the admissions cycle for that year. Be sure to research the exact deadlines and policies for the specific law schools where you plan to apply.

There are certainly advantages to applying early. Many applicants will have their LSAT score in hand well before September 1st. Because of the rolling admissions cycle, the conventional wisdom has been to apply as early as possible. Waiting to apply means you’ll compete against a growing pool of applicants for a shrinking number spots.

However, it’s well-known that the number of law school applicants has dropped in recent years, leaving law schools with a smaller pool of candidates to choose from. Schools have been waiting to make decisions until later in the admissions cycle.

There are still advantages to applying early, but it’s not as crucial to do so as it once was. Keep this in mind as you consider all of the factors involved in deciding when to take the LSAT.

This article from our blog explains the admissions cycle in more detail. But with these basics in mind, let’s look at some other factors.

LSAT Test Dates

Unlike some admission tests, the LSAT is only offered on specific dates throughout the year. The good news is that the Law School Admission Council, which administers the LSAT, started increasing the number of LSAT test dates in 2017. As of the 2018–2019 testing year, the LSAT is being offered nine times per year. That’s a substantial increase compared to 2016 and before, when the test was only offered four times each year.

The exact test dates will play a role in determining when you should take the LSAT.

As we mentioned earlier, many applicants want to take the LSAT and have their score in hand well before the admissions cycle begins in the fall. The June test date has traditionally been popular for this reason. With LSAC adding more test dates, the April and July tests are likely to be popular as well.

On Retaking the LSAT

Most test-takers hope that the LSAT will be a “one and done” experience, and aim to get the score they need on the first try. The LSAT doesn’t always cooperate. Quite a few people take the test more than once. Always hope for the best! But in planning when to take the LSAT, it’s not a bad idea to allow time for a retake.

Let’s suppose you’ll start applying to law school in September of next year. Prepping for the April LSAT, or even the March one, gives you time to take the test, receive your score, then register for the June or July LSAT if needed and do additional prep before that test date.

On the flip side, let’s suppose you haven’t planned that far in advance. Maybe you’re reading this article in August or September as the start of the admission cycle looms, and you took the July LSAT but didn’t hit your goal score. Are your law school dreams dead in the water? No, not at all.

As we mentioned earlier, in recent years, law schools have been waiting longer to make admissions decisions. They still extend offers to highly-qualified candidates from the start of the admissions cycle. But they don’t tend to fill spaces as quickly as they once did.

Admissions offices now wait to view more applications, looking for the best candidates. Not satisfied with your score from an LSAT you took earlier in the year? You can take the LSAT in September or November and still have a fair chance. Depending on the school you apply to, a competitive score on the January LSAT might keep you in the running. Again, make sure you research the exact policies and deadlines for the schools where you plan to apply.

I Heard That You Should Not Take the LSAT In…

There are abundant legends and rumors about certain LSAT test dates being “bad” compared to others. The February LSAT has received a bad rap for a while, with claims that it’s more difficult than other tests. Let’s start by putting this rumor to rest… There’s no data suggesting that the February LSAT is more difficult than LSATs administered on any other test dates.

In spite of this, it’s likely that rumors will remain about tests on certain dates being consistently harder than others. Don’t buy into this. Law schools want to compare apples to apples when they look at scores from different LSAT test dates. It’s one of the main reasons why standardized exams exist.

Some LSATs are disclosed tests, while others are nondisclosed. If you take a disclosed test, you receive your score, percentile rank, a copy of the actual questions from your test, and your answers. If you take a nondisclosed test, you receive your score and percentile rank, but you won’t receive the actual questions or your answers.

There’s a disadvantage to taking a nondisclosed test if you have any desire to see what you did right/wrong. However, this shouldn’t be your highest priority when deciding when to take the LSAT. Other factors like the admission cycle and leaving time for a potential retake should play a larger role in your decision.

LSAC provides more information about disclosed and nondisclosed tests here. You can read more about taking nondisclosed tests, and the legends and lore of the February LSAT, in this article by Manhattan Prep LSAT ace Matt Shinners.

Consider Other Things on Your Calendar When Taking the LSAT

Now that there are more LSAT test dates, it’s easier to avoid taking the LSAT at a time that’s less than ideal for you personally. While deciding when to take the LSAT, don’t just focus on the few hours that you’ll spend taking the actual test itself. Think about what else is going on around that time.

Is the date that you’re considering taking the LSAT right around the same time as your exams for classes at school? Is a major project at your job happening during that month? Are you getting married the week after the test, or moving across the country the next day? All of these are good reasons to consider a different test date. I mean, you could ask your significant other to change the wedding date, but that might not fly.

Don’t Forget to Prep

The amount of time that you need to prepare for the test is also an important consideration when deciding when to take the LSAT. How much prep time do you need? That depends on a number of factors, starting with how much you need to improve your score. If you’re just starting out on your path to law school and haven’t taken an LSAT practice test yet, that should be your first step. You’ll find instructions here.

If you’re already hitting your goal score, or are within two or three points, you might only need a minimal amount of prep. Increasing your score by more than five points usually requires at least a month or two of prep time. If you’re looking to increase your score by 10 points or more, and are thinking about registering for a test date that’s a little over a month away, you should definitely look at later LSAT test dates. Achieving that kind of increase can require several months of prep.

Deciding when you should take the LSAT can require a bit more planning and thought than you might expect, but it’s an important part of your overall law school application plan. Understanding the factors that we describe in this article can help you plan and prepare to do your very best on the test. ?

Scott Miller is a Manhattan Prep instructor based in Raleigh-Durham, NC. Scott has over 20 years of experience as a teacher and trainer and a love for teaching that has led him to some interesting careers, including skydiving instruction, wildlife sanctuary stewardship, and online computer skills training. He worked hard for his 173 LSAT score, and he has as much fun helping people master the challenges of the test as had overcoming those challenges himself. You can learn more from Scott here.

The post When to Take the LSAT appeared first on LSAT.

I know, I know — could I have made a more terribly generic title??? This is kind of the holy grail of test preparation: a one-stop, explain everything article that immediately gives all the answers to how to improve scores on test day!

And I wish I could write that post. I really, really do. But sadly, this won’t have all the answers. 

It will, however, have some of the answers! As you read, I would imagine at least one of the answers will sound like a ‘common sense’ or ‘captain obvious’ recommendation. If you’re wondering why I still feel it’s worth writing here, just know that I speak here from too many observations of people severely hindering their progress when they neglect one or more of the following ideas. 

So, “how do I improve my LSAT score?”

Improving Your LSAT Score Tip #1: Study Consistently 

The LSAT is not a test built around content: learning facts and formulae will not do much for your score. Instead, it’s a test built around developing specific skills, applying those skills under pressure, and making a persistent change to the way you think. 

Those kinds of developments and changes do not happen without consistent efforts. So if your study plan is to slap all your efforts into one weekend day, and not touch the LSAT at all the other days of the week, you’re going to have a bad time. 

Make a daily effort, even if some days are only 30 minutes. You need consistency in your studies, or you’re not going to see the improvement you want. 

Some people have the internal discipline to stick to this kind of schedule without external deadlines or limitations. I was, and to some extent still am, not one of those people. I would say I work best under a deadline, but let’s be real: it’s not that I work best under a deadline, it’s that I only work under a deadline! If you’re like me, you don’t want to try this solo: find a study partner or class to join. Get something with external accountability for yourself!

Improving Your LSAT Score Tip #2: Don’t allow your feelings to override numbers.

This may sound cold, but it’s pretty basic: are you scared of the logic games? Or reading comprehension? Many, many people allow their discomfort in one of these two sections to dictate their studies, when the logical reasoning sections are actually where they have more points to gain. 

Take a practice test, and see where you can gain the most points, not where you felt the least comfortable! If those two are the same, then fine: but if they’re not, be very aware of how much you plan your studies around your anxiety versus  how much you plan your studies around point gains.

Improving Your LSAT Score Tip #3: Study conditional logic!

For the love of all that’s good and beautiful in your life, don’t put off studying conditional logic!!! Learn how to diagram even the most complicated conditional statements. Make sure ‘unless’ statements are second nature to you. Know what a biconditional is. 

And really, really understand what conditional statements do and do not tell you!! Beware those subconscious incorrect reversals!!

There is an irony to Answer 2 and Answer 3 that you may not realize if you’re just beginning your studies. In Answer 2, I recommend not allowing discomfort to override actual points opportunities. And in Answer 3, I recommend you study an admittedly narrow band of LSAT content: something that likely does not have the greatest actual points return!!

What gives?!?!

Conditional logic, when you know it, allows you to answer a decent number of LR and LG questions correctly and quickly. And it’s certain: you move on to the next problem absolutely confident that you just answered a question correctly. 

So the return here is based not only on points but also on speed. The pacing returns from solid conditional logic studies are substantial. 

So don’t go into the LSAT without a solid understanding of conditional logic diagrams!!! 

(In other words, could you diagram the previous sentence if it were an LR problem???)

Improving Your LSAT Score Tip #4: Study slowly.

Most people move much, much too quickly to question explanations. Explanations can be a necessary evil, but they are not your friend! If you’ve answered a question correctly, can you explain why the other answers are wrong? (Without merely saying ‘it’s out of scope’…ugh, please don’t let your explanation die with that sentence!!) If you’ve answered a question incorrectly, knowing the correct answer, can you articulate on paper a path to get to that correct answer? 

Try each of the above for all your right and wrong answers to questions. (I’ll give a slight path to explaining all the wrongs on some logic games questions, but only if you’ve got a concrete diagram proving your correct answer.) Try it before you read an explanation. 

As needed read the explanation, but read as little of the explanation as possible! The moment you think you could maybe retry the problem, retry it! Always push to make the path to the correct answer as much as possible a path you built yourself!

One last remaining component to Answer 4: delve deeply into LSAT-adjacent reading opportunities. Grab 5-10 official LSATs and turn to the last pages, near the answer sheet and answer keys. You’ll find there an “Acknowledgements” page, citing the source material for the RC passages. Any source that shows up in multiple LSATs is a source you want in your weekly reading repertoire. If you don’t see a source show up multiple times, pick some that you know you can find. (Scientific American, various law school Law Reviews, etc…) The more you can immerse yourself in the world of the LSAT, the more easily you’ll adapt to the demands of the test! 

That’s it for the answers right now. 

If all of this sounds like a lot…well, it is. It should be. You’re preparing for a test that you hope will showcase your ability to dive into a multi-year program of study that has a massive time commitment. If you could master the test in a week, it wouldn’t be a good test.

To recap: 

1. Consistent studies. Slow studies. Put a little bit of work in at least six days a week, and don’t cheat yourself by relying too readily on what other people did to find an answer. And read what the test writers read!
2. Put your efforts where the points are! Don’t study a part of the test only because it feels good to study that part of the test…where are your major points gains?
3. There is one content area pretty unique to this test, and it can be a major boost to your speed, confidence, and to a lesser extent, points achieved: conditional logic. Start your study of this topic yesterday!

Good luck!

NEXT: Top 3 Tips for Fitting LSAT Studying into a Busy Schedule

Don’t forget that you can attend the first session of any of our online or in-person LSAT courses absolutely free. We’re not kidding! Check out our upcoming courses here.

Chris Gentry is a Manhattan Prep LSAT, GMAT, and GRE instructor who lives in Atlanta, Georgia. Chris received his Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Clemson and JD from Emory University School of Law before realizing that he genuinely enjoys the challenge of standardized tests, and his true passion is teaching. Chris’ dual-pronged approach to understanding each test question has helped countless of his students to achieve their goal scores. What are you waiting for? Check out Chris’ upcoming LSAT courses here.

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