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LSAT Prep for Law School
What is the LSAT?
The LSAT is the Law School Admission Test. The exam is a prerequisite for admissions to almost all law schools in Canada and the US, in addition to European (especially the United Kingdom), Australian, and Caribbean law schools. It is the standardized multiple choice exam administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). The LSAT evaluates the applicant's knowledge and ability in critical reading, verbal reasoning, and analytical thinking. Admission officers, whom are the persons given the authority to decide whether an applicant gets matriculated into law school or not, use the LSAT as a predictor of the applicants success in law school. The LSAT exam has the reputation of being one of the most difficult standardized exams a person can attempt, of all the standardized tests that exist. Most law schools, especially the ones in Canada and the US, set a minimum cut-off LSAT score that the applicant must meet in order to be a considered prospect.
What subjects are on the LSAT and how long is the LSAT?
The LSAT consists of 5 sections:
1) Logical Reasoning
- 24 to 26 multiple choice questions.
- Duration of time allotted is 35 minutes.
- Consists of questions meant to challenge the applicant's ability to determine main points of arguments, apply logic to abstract concepts, find relevant information within a text, analyze arguments, and evaluate arguments.
2) Reading Comprehension
- 26 to 28 multiple choice questions (27 multiple choice questions on average).
- Comprised of 4 passages. Each passage contains 6 to 8 accompanying multiple choice questions. 3 of the passages will be written by an author (a separate author for each of the three passages). 1 of the passages will be a combination of information from two different sources, discussing the same topic.
- Duration of time allotted is 35 minutes.
- Consists of questions meant to challenge the applicant's ability to draw inferences based on text, determine main ideas of passages, find relevant information within a text, and understanding complex scholarly text that tends to be dense in nature.
3) Analytical Reasoning
- 22 to 24 multiple choice questions (23 multiple choice questions on average).
- Comprised of 4 logic games. Each logic game contains 5 to 7 accompanying multiple choice questions. There are different types of logic games, including, but not exclusive to: linear (basic & advanced), grouping, grouping/linear combo, pure sequencing, pattern, circular, and mapping.
- Duration of time allotted is 35 minutes.
- Consists of questions meant to challenge the applicant's ability to understand effects of rules on decisions & outcomes, determine relationships between concepts, analyze situations & draw conclusions based on set guidelines, and apply logical thinking to complex or ambiguous situations.
4) Experimental Section (also known as the Variable Section)
- This section is unscored. Meaning it does not count towards your final LSAT score. The reason this section exists is so that the LSAC is able to compute & generate data about new questions they plan on including in future LSAT examinations. The intention of this is to better the LSAT experience for future applicants and make the LSAT a better determinant of deciding whether or not an applicant is suitable for law school.
- Duration of time allotted is 35 minutes.
- The Experimental section consists of either a Logical Reasoning section, Reading Comprehension section, or Analytical Reasoning section. The type of section the Experimental section will end up being is randomized from the three sections mentioned previously. The Experimental section has an equal chance of being the Logical Reasoning section, as it does the Reading Comprehension section, as it does the Analytical Reasoning section. LSAT test takers will not know which section is the Experimental section when writing the LSAT. They will have to treat every section as if all sections on the exam will be scored. In other words, the LSAT test taker will need to try their best on every section of the LSAT, even though one of the sections (the Experimental section, which is not evidently the Experimental section on the test, but rather a section that is disguised as a scored section) will not be scored.
- Consists of either arguments, logical games, or reading comprehension passages.
5) Writing Sample
- This section is unscored. Meaning it does not count towards your final LSAT score. The reason this section exists is so that law schools may use the Writing Sample in order to consider whether or not an applicant is suitable for that specific law school. When an applicant finishes taking their LSAT, the applicant's Writing Sample is photocopied and sent to the law schools the applicant designated to receive their test scores. There is a chance however, the applicant's Writing Sample will go completely unread. The LSAT writing samples are rarely used by the more prestigious law schools in the evaluation process for suitable law school candidates.
- Duration of time allotted is 35 minutes.
- Challenges the applicant's ability to form an argument based on giving facts, support an argument, use written English to express an idea.
How long is the LSAT?
The LSAT is a total of 3 hours and 30 minutes long, including breaks. The applicant is allotted 35 minutes per section. There is a total of 4 sections (Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Analytical Reasoning, Variable Section) in the first segment of the LSAT. There is a total of 1 section (Writing Sample) in the second segment of the LSAT. There is a 10 minute intermission between the second and third sections. The entire test contains 99 to 102 multiple choice questions. The test sections (Reading Comprehension, Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and the unscored variable section) may be presented in any order during the actual LSAT examination.
Is it possible to be granted more time on the LSAT?
If an applicant has a learning disability or medical condition that requires an adjustment to standard testing conditions, they may apply for consideration of more time, where the time allotted may be more than the standard time. The reasoning behind this is to provide all individuals with an opportunity to demonstrate their proficiency on the LSAT exam. This includes ensuring access to persons with disabilities in accordance to the relevant law.
If an applicant does not have a learning disability or medical condition, it is unlikely they will be allotted more than the standard time to write the LSAT.
Who can take the LSAT and how many times can the LSAT be taken?
An individual can take the LSAT if:
- They are planning to apply to a law school to retrieve their Juris Doctor (J.D.) professional degree to become a lawyer.
- During the LSAT registration, the applicant will be asked to verify their intention to law school.
- There are no academic prerequisites to write the LSAT. Students that are either enrolled in university and/or college, or have already graduated from university and/or college are eligible to write the LSAT. Students with legal and non-legal academic & work backgrounds can take the LSAT examination and have the same opportunity to enter law school.
How many times can the LSAT be taken by an individual?
An individual may take the exam up to three times in a single year, five times within the current and past five past years, and a total of seven times over a lifetime.
How are multiple LSAT scores evaluated by law schools?
It depends on the law school. Law schools will either consider 1) the applicant's most recent LSAT score, 2) the applicant's average LSAT score across all LSAT attempts, 3) the applicant's highest LSAT score, 4) the applicant's average LSAT score across all LSAT attempts with the most recent LSAT score weighing more than any previous LSAT score, 5) the applicant's 'superscore', which is a compilation of the highest section scores across all LSAT attempts.
In general, the lesser amount of attempts an applicant takes to score a viable LSAT score, the higher the likelihood is of that applicant being granted acceptance to a law school. It is essential for students to ace the LSAT during the first few attempts, as their chances of matriculation into law school decreases with every subsequent attempt. Enrolling into a professional LSAT Preparation Course hosted by a recognized company is essential to scoring a competitive LSAT score.
Tutor STEM's COMPREHENSIVE LSAT PREPARATION COURSE
What preparation and tutoring does Tutor STEM provide for the LSAT?
Tutor STEM offers individualized tutoring sessions between carefully selected, highly qualified, high aptitude, experienced LSAT instructors and students/applicants seeking to take the LSAT examination. The academy exclusively offers private 1-on-1 tutoring sessions, as 1-on-1 style teaching is far more effective than group classes, because the LSAT instructor is only focusing on one student during the class. The LSAT preparation the academy offers is intended mainly for students & applicants in Canada and the US, however individuals from other countries may still enroll.
The academy offers in-person & virtual options for students & applicants taking the LSAT Preparation Course. The in-person classes will either take place at our academy or at the student's/applicant's home (in-person classes at the academy follows the standard rate equivalent to the virtual rate; whereas, in-person classes at the student's/applicant's home is subjected to additional premiums due to the instructor's travel time & travel cost). The in-person tutoring sessions for the LSAT will take place at our LSAT Department which is located at our Markham Campus in Toronto, Canada. The academy also offers virtual tutoring which takes place online, using an online whiteboard software, where the student can see everything the teacher writes, draws, posts, explains, etc. and the teacher can see everything the student writes, draws, posts, explains, etc. This mode of tutoring is preferential to students who are not at a commutable distance to the academy hosting the LSAT Preparation. Virtual tutoring is 100% as effective as in-person tutoring. Some students may prefer in-person tutoring over online tutoring, or vice versa. Both modes of tutoring are available and effective.
The LSAT Preparation Course includes free materials and resources that are intended to heighten the students' understanding on concepts tested on the LSAT.
How is the LSAT Prep course structured?
1) Applicant registers for the LSAT Preparation Course.
2) An assessment is held during the first tutoring session. The assessment is a condensed version of the LSAT. Based on the results of the initial assessment, an individualized plan that is tailored towards the applicant's strengths & weaknesses will be created by the Tutor STEM administration and the applicant's assigned LSAT instructor based on the questions and concepts incorrectly answered on the assessment.
3) The majority of the materials, including the video lecture materials, practice tests, mock exams, and online resource drills will be distributed during the first class after the assessment is completed. The LSAT instructor will devise a study plan with the student, after considering the students' other commitments (i.e. school or work), in order to ensure the self-studying that occurs outside of the 1-on-1 tutoring sessions the student has with the LSAT instructor is spent efficiently.
4) The basis of the 1-on-1 tutoring sessions the student will have with the LSAT instructor from the second tutoring session and onwards is based on the individualized plan, which is formulated using the data from the initial assessment the student completed during the first session. Essentially, the concepts the student was found to not understand or comprehend will be the focus of the 1-on-1 tutoring sessions.
5) The tutoring sessions will begin with the student asking the LSAT instructor any questions they may have relative to the LSAT, whether it be from the video lectures assigned to them or from any other resource. Typically, the first 15 minutes of every session is used to answer the students' pre-existing questions. Once the student has finished asking their questions, or if the student does not have any questions during the start of class, the LSAT instructor will commence with the pre-planned lesson.
6) As the tutoring sessions come to a finish, the remaining materials and resources will be distributed to the student. The Blueprint, which is a free resource that is complimentary to the LSAT Preparation course, is the last material/resource that will be distributed to the student. The Blueprint is a condensed study guide that organizes all of the concepts the student is expected to be tested on during their exam. The LSAT instructor will thoroughly go over the Blueprint with the student, and will answer any questions the student may have pertaining to the concepts on the Blueprint.
7) The last tutoring session will consist of the student completing a diagnostic test, which is similar to the initial assessment the student will write during the first tutoring session. The diagnostic test is a condensed version of the LSAT. The student will complete the diagnostic. Based on the data of diagnostic results, the LSAT instructor will be able to graphically and numerically show the student their improvement & progress throughout the LSAT Preparation course. The LSAT instructor will also give recommendations to the student on which concepts to prioritize self-studying based on the results of the final diagnostic.
8) During the final moments of the last tutoring session, the LSAT instructor will devise a self-study plan with the student, for them to use and follow after the tutoring sessions have ended and before the date of their examination.
What resources and materials are included?
Resources and materials are included with the LSAT Preparation Course for free. There is no additional cost for the resources and materials provided alongside the tutoring.
The resources and materials that are distributed to students prior to their LSAT examination include:
- 500 video lectures - 150 videos on Logical Reasoning, 150 videos on Analytical Reasoning, 150 videos on Reading Comprehension, and 50 videos on LSAT Test Taking Skills.
- A collection of Practice Tests and Mock Exams that resembles similarly structured questions on the LSAT.
- A collection of Multiple Drills and Question Sheets that resembles the same types of questions expected on the LSAT.
- Blueprint for the LSAT - A concept sheet that is essentially a condensed study guide that organizes all of the concepts the student is expected to be tested on during their exam. The Blueprint is ordered from a third-party organization and is complimentary with the tutoring.
The resources and materials that are available to students after they have written their LSAT examination include:
- Law school application assistance - including counseling on which law schools would most likely grant acceptance considering the students' culminative university GPA and relative LSAT scores.
- Reference letter editing - the majority of law schools require reference letters to be submitted in order for law school matriculation consideration. Tutor STEM offers free editing of reference letters. Reference letters are typically expected to be written by either university professors you have previously worked alongside or lawyers whom you have shadowed.