So what can you expect when you sit for the LSAT? The LSAT consists of five 35-minute sections of multiple-choice questions and a writing sample. Only four of the five sections are graded but you will not know which section is the section they are using as a practice test. There are three types of multiple-choice questions in the LSAT. Namely, reading comprehension, analytical reasoning and logical reasoning. A link to examples of each type of question is provided below in this section.
The reading comprehension section will give you a number of long and somewhat complex passages to read followed by five to eight questions to answer for each passage. The questions test your ability to read quickly while paying attention to detail. In addition, this section tests your reasoning ability by asking questions where you have to deduce the answer from the text that you have read. This section of the exam is the section that is most related to law school as in law school you will often read cases and then have to spot issues and answer questions about what you have read. That being said, the passages that you will read on the LSAT will relate to general topics such as economics or science and are not law related. Also, in law school, part of the learning process is to quickly spot issues and most learn that when they are there.
The logical reasoning section requires the reader to read a fairly short passage and then answer questions about it. Often the question will make you think critically and draw a conclusion or reason through a problem by making inferences or reasoning by analogy. The multiple-choice question that is presented after the short passage will usually take the following form: Which of the following if true undermines the argument? or What is the flaw in the above argument? This section is somewhat similar to the reading comprehension section except the passages are shorter and the questions focus more on pattern recognition and analogies based on relationships rather than quickly assimilating relevant facts.
The analytical reasoning section is often referred to as the logical games section and can be very tricky. Also, this section is the furthest away from the tasks that you will perform in law school or as a lawyer. The questions look at your ability to understand how relationships are structured and ask you to come up with logical conclusions about the structures or how that structure might relate to other structures. You will have to use deductive reasoning that stems from the fact pattern in the question and select an answer that best follows the pattern you have deduced. Many people have a tough time with this section and it is often referred to as the most difficult part of the LSAT. While difficult for many though, some minds are wired this way and for those people, this section is very simple.
You can find examples of each type of question here in this Sample LSAT test:
The key to doing well in all sections is practice. You should complete hundreds if not thousands of questions prior to the exam so you should become very familiar with the patters of the different questions. Do not expect a miracle on the day of the exam.
This summary is one of many law school admission helpful tips in the new bookLaw School Lowdown: Secrets of Success from the Application Process to Landing the First Job
– (Barron's Publishing) - Author Ian E. Scott. You can order Law School Lowdown on Amazon by clicking here.
This summary is one of many law school admission helpful tips in the new bookLaw School Lowdown: Secrets of Success from the Application Process to Landing the First Job
– (Barron's Publishing) - Author Ian E. Scott. You can order Law School Lowdown on Amazon by clicking here.