5 minsWhat’s covered in this article?
- What is the LSAT exam?
- How to prepare for this law entrance exam?
- FAQs’s on the LSAT exam
What is the LSAT Exam?
LSAT stands for Law School Admission Test. For those bitten by the lure of law, the LSAT represents the final frontier, or the starting point, however one chooses to see it, in their journey towards becoming a successful lawyer.
LSAT is administered by the Law School Admission Council and most universities abroad accept the LSAT scores while considering the candidates for law courses.
There’s no denying the importance of your LSAT score in your efforts to get into a reputed law school. Popular study abroad destinations for English education, such as the USA, Australia and Canada have the 175-minute Law entrance exam, which evaluates candidates on their reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and writing skills. As per the Law School Admission Council website, the LSAT exam scores indicate the candidate’s readiness for admission to a law school.
Getting a top LSAT score might seem like a huge challenge, no doubt, but don’t worry - there are ways to beat the pressure and make sure you’re on top of your game to ace the LSAT exam!
How to prepare for the law entrance exam?
The majority of the time, the first step to working towards acing a test is to take that first step. Plan your test preparation, stick to it and be consistent in executing it. In this era of technology, you have umpteen apps and software to support you with your planning and execution. But commitment is the key. It is tricky that you have the option to turn off these apps and procrastinate. That’s just your worry getting to you. Don’t let it win over your determination.
Here are our tips to help you prepare for the LSAT exam.
Start preparing early for the LSAT exam
Surely you don’t think you can just flip through the LSAT prep book a week before the big day! Presuming you don’t, you’re on the right track – here are some things to keep in mind:
- begin well in advance
- familiarise yourself with practice materials, get a feel of the underlying logic behind the questions
- talk to experts.
In short, start with the groundwork and give yourself plenty of time to prepare for the test. This includes deciding on the best practising materials and narrowing down the right set of people to talk to, about taking the test.
Do an honest self-assessment
Once you think you have a fair idea of the LSAT exam, the time is ripe to see where you stand in terms of a numerical score - the best way to do this would be to take an LSAT practice test blind. Wondering why?
- This way, you determine what can be termed your ‘baseline’ score - the score you’ve achieved without prep. Mind you, it can be discouraging, but make sure you take the full-length test and not leave it mid-way.
- You will also be able to identify your weakness and your strengths when it comes to the test. Remember, if you are not happy with the way you attended the test, take the test again till you are sure that you gave your best. But the easiest way is to be committed during the very first try!
Identify and Set a Goal
The practice test arms you with crucial information. You now have at least some idea of how much you must practice and in which section. You know what your baseline score is and what level of improvement you’re looking for. Fix a number in your mind as your score goal. This will also help you chart a roadmap for how much time and what LSAT prep options it'll take to get you there.
Create a Study Schedule
This is the law entrance exam, after all – not everything is going to come easy. You must carve time into your daily schedule. Here are some things to keep in mind while creating your study schedule:
- Get a time management chart or a time management app that works for you
- Be aware of how much time you have left, whether months, or weeks, and plan accordingly.
- Make it realistic. You are the best judge of how you function.
- Include enough breaks in between so that you are not worn out.
Practice, Practice and Practice!
All of the steps above can get negated if your practice isn’t sustained, sincere or focused enough. The practice involves simulation of not just the test paper, but every aspect concerning the test – building up your physical and mental stamina, adjusting your body clock so you’re at your freshest best during the test etc.
- Go through sample questions and answers to familiarise yourself with the test.
- LSAC offers free and affordable LSAT preparation options. Be sure to check those out.
- There are also preparatory courses available for the LSAT. Check the details to see if it works out for you.
Accuracy first, Speed next
This isn’t to imply that you can be slow; just that when you begin to practice, it’s important to understand and work out the question and make that a habit. Speed can and will follow thoroughness.
On the LSAT Exam Day
So you’re done with your prep and the big day’s finally arrived – and, whether you admit it or not, you’re nervous. Nerves may be impossible to avoid and can even help you if they heighten your alertness, but here are a few simple tips to control what you can. This will help you concentrate fully on the task at hand:
- Get acquainted with taking the test online. Remove all distractions from the room and decide ahead, how you would like to have the room set for the exam.
- Test takers should attend to the nitty-gritty well in advance – you should have a compatible computer, a quiet place to take the test which is prepared as per the test requirements. You could even rent a hotel room for the night if you live in a crowded apartment which isn’t conducive to taking the test.
If you feel confident about facing the law entrance exam, check out the different universities abroad offering law degrees and courses. You might be lucky to find integrated law courses too! Also, check out our definitive guide on studying law abroad.
FAQs on the LSAT exam
What are the eligibility criteria for appearing for the LSAT?
There are no set LSAT eligibility criteria for appearing for this law entrance exam. However, keep in mind that, the LSAT score is just one among the several admission requirements put forward by the institutions offering law courses.
What age do you have to be to take the LSAT?
There is no age limit. However, check whether the institution you are applying to has specified any age limit.
How many times can you take the LSAT?
You can take the LSAT a total of 7 times over your lifetime. You can take the test three times in one testing year and a total of 5 times within the current year and 5 past testing years.
How much does LSAT cost?
For the 2022-2023 testing year, the registration fee for the LSAT exam is USD 215. This is around rupees 16,700. However, Law school candidates who are from a financially disadvantaged background can apply for an LSAC fee waiver.
How long is the LSAT law entrance exam?
As per the LSAC website, the LSAT exam takes approximately 3 hours to complete. It includes 4 sections o 35 minutes each and a 10-minute break in between.
When should I take the LSAT 2022?
LSAT for candidates looking to study abroad is currently being administered online. For the LSAT administration from August 2022 to June 2023, the registrations are open.
Trivia: Did you know that several of the famous Indian personalities who studied abroad, opted to learn Law?
If you are interested in studying law abroad, you might want to check out the several law colleges in the UK. Canadian law is based on the British legal system just like Indian law. If that is motivation enough for you to study law in Canada, explore the different universities offering LLM courses in Canada. If you are looking for LLB programmes, our website lists more than 100 institutions that offer LLB as honours degrees, with foundation years or as integrated courses. Don’t miss this opportunity to study abroad!
Conclusion
There’s no magic formula for the LSAT that’s very different from other standardised tests. A little planning with vision and direction, and wholehearted execution should take you closer to achieving your desired result! Remember that even the LSAC recommends institutions to consider LSAT scores as just one of the many aspects of law school admissions. So don’t fret too much about it, if you thought you didn’t do well on the test.
Editor's note: This article was originally published in August 2015. Our content writer Roshna Mohan has edited it to include up-to-date information and made it comprehensive.
Hi there! I'm Navi, your AI assistant on WhatsApp.
