Information provided by Kaplan Test Prep
The LSAT* is, among other things, an endurance
test. It consists of 175 minutes of multiple-choice testing, plus
a 30-minute writing sample. Add in the administrative details at
both ends of the testing experience, plus a break of 10-15
minutes midway through, and you can count on being in the test
room for at least four and a half to five hours.
The Breakdown
The LSAT consists of five multiple choice sections:
2 Logical Reasoning
1 Logic Games
1 Reading Comprehension
1 Experimental Section
In addition, there is a Writing Sample section in which you'll
have to compose a short essay.
Logical Reasoning
Logical reasoning questions evaluate your ability to understand,
analyze, criticize, and complete arguments. The arguments are
contained in short passages taken from a variety of sources,
including letters to the editor, speeches, advertisements,
newspaper articles and editorials, informal discussions and
conversations, as well as articles in the humanities, the social
sciences, and the natural sciences.
Each logical reasoning question requires you to read and
comprehend the argument of the reasoning contained in the passage
and to answer one or two questions about it.
See a sample Logical Reasoning Question
Logic Games
Logic games are designed to measure your ability to understand a
structure of relationships and to draw conclusions from it. You
will be asked to make deductions from a set of statements, rules,
or conditions that describe relationships among entities such as
persons, places, things, or events. These questions simulate the
kinds of detailed analyses of relationships that law students
must perform in solving legal problems.
See a sample Logic Games Question
Reading Comprehension
Reading comprehension questions measure your ability to read
examples of lengthy and complex materials with understanding and
insight. These questions require you to read carefully and
accurately to determine the relationships among the various parts
of the passage and to draw reasonable inferences from the
material.
This section contains four passages, each approximately 450
words in length, followed by 5-8 questions that test your reading
and reasoning abilities. Topics are drawn from a variety of
subjects, including the humanities, social sciences, physical
sciences, ethics, philosophy, and the law.
See a sample Reading Comprehension Question
Writing Sample
You will be given thirty minutes to complete a brief writing
exercise. Although this exercise is not scored, it is used by law
school admissions officers to assess your writing skill. Read the
topic carefully and spend a few minutes considering it and
organizing your thoughts before you begin writing.
There is no right or wrong position on the writing sample
topic and no special knowledge is required or expected. Law
schools are primarily interested in how skillfully you support
the position you take and how clearly you express that
position.
See a sample Writing Sample Topic
Experimental Section
The experimental section allows Law Services to test questions
for use on future tests. This unscored section will probably look
exactly like one of the others; so don't waste time trying to
identify it. Just do as well as you can on every section, and
you're covered.
More Information
Learn more about law school admissions at
www.kaptest.com/law.
Learn about Kaplan's LSAT programs at www.kaptest.com/lsat.
Enroll in a Kaplan course at www.kaptest.com/enroll.
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