How Long Is the LSAT: Duration and Format of the Law School Admission Test

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a critical part of the journey for prospective law students aiming for admission to law schools. Administered by the Law School Admission Council, the LSAT evaluates essential skills needed for success in law school, including logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, and reading comprehension.

Understanding the LSAT’s test format, timing, and structure can help you approach the exam with confidence. This guide covers everything you need to know about the LSAT’s duration and format, and how to make the most of your preparation.

Read: Top 30+ Free Resources for the LSAT

How Long is the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)?

The LSAT exam spans approximately 3 hours for standard test-takers. Each of the four multiple-choice sections is timed at 35 minutes, while the writing sample section is administered separately and typically completed at home. There is a 10-minute intermission between the second and third sessions.

Structure and Content of the LSAT

The LSAT consists of multiple sections, each testing different skill sets.

1. Logical Reasoning: These sections evaluate your ability to analyze and critically evaluate arguments, a key skill for law students. Two logical reasoning sections are included, making this skill an essential component of the test.
2. Analytical Reasoning (aka Logic Games): This section measures your capacity to understand and reason through complex relationships. Often one of the more challenging sections, analytical reasoning requires strategic thinking and time management.
3. Reading Comprehension: This section assesses your ability to understand and analyze long, dense texts—a frequent requirement in law school. Success in the scored reading comprehension section can indicate your potential to excel in courses that require extensive reading.
4. Unscored Experimental Section: Used to test new questions for future exams, the unscored experimental section can appear in any part of the test. Though unscored, it resembles the other sections, making it challenging to identify.
5. LSAT Writing Sample: Following the multiple-choice sections, the writing sample is an opportunity for test takers to demonstrate their argumentative writing abilities. Although the LSAT writing sample isn’t scored, many law schools review it to assess a candidate’s clarity and style.

Breakdown of the Different LSAT Sections

As mentioned, the LSAT consists of four scored sections that evaluate different skills such as analytical reasoning, logical reasoning, and reading comprehension. The unscored experimental section may also appear on any LSAT exam, and it serves as a way for the LSAT administrators to pilot new test questions. It is used to determine their usability in future LSAT administrations. However, the experimental section is not disclosed to test-takers. Instead, it is anonymized and treated as another scored section to keep the integrity and validity of the exam.

The first section of the LSAT is the Logical Reasoning section, which consists of two parts and evaluates the test-taker's ability to analyze and evaluate arguments. The second section is the Analytical Reasoning section, also known as the Logic Games section, which tests the test-taker's ability to understand and analyze complex relationships between variables. The third section is the Reading Comprehension section, which evaluates the test-taker's ability to read and understand complex texts and answer questions based on them. The fourth section is the Writing Sample section, which is unscored but sent to law schools along with the LSAT score. It requires the test-taker to write an essay in response to a prompt.

It is important to note that the LSAT is a timed exam so test-takers must manage their time effectively to ensure they have enough time to answer all the questions in each section.

How Many Times Can You Take the LSAT?

The LSAT is administered multiple times a year, and test-takers are limited in how many times they can take it to:

• 3 times in a year (from July to June)
• 5 times in the current reportable period
• 7 times over a lifetime

You'll likely never feel completely prepared for the LSAT, but we recommend not taking it until you are confident that you can get close to the score that you want. The LSAC reports all LSAT scores in the last year or 5 years, including absences and cancellations, to all the law schools you apply to.

When Can I Take the LSAT?

Registration is open for the 2024-2025 testing year, which began in August. For this cycle, the LSAT fee is $238. Most people taking the test will have the choice of online, live remote-proctored environment, or in-person at a digital testing center. To see all upcoming dates, head here.

What To Expect on Test Day: Proctoring and Administration

Test day for the LSAT is highly structured, with specific rules and guidelines to ensure a fair and standardized environment. Whether taken in-person or remotely, the LSAT requires test takers to adhere to strict proctoring procedures. Test takers must bring their LSAT admission ticket, and a valid ID, and are limited to specific items like an analog watch, pencils, and erasers. No electronic devices, including cell phones or smartwatches, are permitted.

For those taking the LSAT online, proctors monitor the session via camera, ensuring that the test taker follows all protocols. Both formats are designed to ensure the integrity of the exam, and any violations may result in score cancellation or dismissal from the testing center or virtual test session.

Tips for Preparing for the LSAT

A successful LSAT preparation plan involves ample practice tests, time management, and a structured study routine. Here are some top strategies:

1. Start early and create a study schedule: Giving yourself sufficient time to study can make a big difference. Prospective law school students are encouraged to set a study schedule that breaks down key topics.
2. Use official LSAT prep materials and practice tests: Practicing with official LSAT practice tests helps familiarize you with the test format and question types.
3. Simulate test day conditions: Completing full-length practice tests under timed conditions helps you improve pacing, a critical factor on the LSAT exam.
4. Focus on weak areas: By identifying areas that need improvement—whether in logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, or reading comprehension—test takers can tailor their study efforts.
5. Work on time management: Each section is timed, and effective time management can significantly impact a test taker's final LSAT score. Avoid spending too long on any one question.
6. Stay physically and mentally prepared: Regular breaks, adequate sleep, and a healthy routine support the mental stamina needed for test day.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Taking the LSAT

Given the LSAT’s challenging nature, you should be mindful of common mistakes.

• Overthinking logical reasoning questions - Scored logical reasoning sections require clear and concise reasoning. Spending too much time on one question can hurt pacing.
• Neglecting the LSAT writing sample - Although unscored, the writing sample is reviewed by some law schools and should be taken seriously.
• Failing to manage time in the analytical reasoning section - Often referred to as logic games, this section requires strategic thinking. Practicing these skills can help maximize time efficiency.
• Ignoring test day protocol - Arriving unprepared or without the correct items (like a valid ID) can lead to unnecessary stress or even disqualification from taking the test.

For more mistakes, read: Common LSAT Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

How to Interpret Your LSAT Scores

LSAT scores range from 120 to 180, with each score reflecting the test taker’s performance relative to others. A percentile ranking accompanies each LSAT score, showing where a test taker stands compared to peers. Most law schools use these scores to assess candidates objectively. High LSAT scores are advantageous for law school applications and can even help qualify applicants for merit-based scholarships.

What Role Does the LSAT Play in Law School Admissions?

The LSAT is widely recognized as a critical component of the law school application process. Law schools place significant weight on LSAT scores to assess a candidate’s critical thinking skills and potential for academic success. The law school admissions test score often plays a pivotal role in admissions decisions and can also influence scholarship opportunities.

While other application components—such as the undergraduate GPA, personal statement, and letters of recommendation—are also evaluated, the LSAT score is typically considered one of the most objective measures of an applicant’s aptitude. This standardized test provides a level playing field, allowing law schools to assess each applicant’s deductive reasoning skills fairly.

What Role Does the LSAT Play in Law School Rankings and Scholarship Opportunities?

Top law schools receive an abundance of applications; therefore, they use LSAT scores as a way to measure a prospective student’s academic potential. LSAT scores range from 120 to 180, with each score reflecting the test taker’s performance relative to others. A percentile ranking accompanies each LSAT score, showing where a test taker stands compared to peers. Most law schools use these scores to assess candidates objectively. High LSAT scores are advantageous for law school applications and can even help qualify applicants for merit-based scholarships.

In Conclusion

For those pursuing a future in law, the LSAT is a pivotal step in the law school admission process. A comprehensive understanding of the LSAT’s test format, effective time management, and strategic preparation can increase the likelihood of achieving a competitive LSAT score. Preparing diligently allows prospective law students to confidently approach the LSAT and maximize their opportunities for law school admission and scholarships.

For guidance on LSAT preparation, consider exploring an expert-led LSAT prep course or consulting with Leland’s top LSAT test prep coaches.

Check out more related topics:

• LSAT vs. GRE for Law School–Which to Take and How to Ace Both
• How Late Can You Take the LSAT for JD Applications?

FAQs

How long does the LSAT writing take?

• How long do I have to complete LSAT Argumentative Writing? Most test takers will have a total of 50 minutes — 15 minutes for prewriting analysis and 35 minutes for essay writing. If you do not have a writing sample on file, we encourage you to complete LSAT Argumentative Writing as soon as you can.

How long is an LSAT diagnostic test?

• The LSAT diagnostic test typically mirrors the format of the actual LSAT, which consists of four sections, each lasting 35 minutes.

What is the new format for the LSAT?

• Starting from the August 2024 test, the LSAT is set to change. The test will now feature two scored Logical Reasoning (LR) sections, one scored Reading Comprehension (RC) section, and an unscored section of either LR or RC. As of the June 2024 test, logic games will be completely phased out.

How many questions are on the LSAT and how long?

• The LSAT is 2 hours and 30 minutes long. The test consists of 99–102 multiple-choice questions. LSAT is designed so that the average test taker should not be able to comfortably complete all the questions in the time allotted.

What is a good LSAT score?

• According to U.S. News, law school admissions experts recommend striving for at least a 150; however, for a top-ranking law school, you should aim for a 160 or better. For a Top 10 law school, a 170 or more is desired. Of course, this all depends on which schools you are applying to.

Is LSAT all multiple-choice?

• The LSAT consists of four multiple-choice sections: two scored Logical Reasoning sections, one scored Reading Comprehension section, and one unscored “experimental” section that will look exactly like one of the other multiple-choice sections. These four multiple-choice sections can appear in any order on Test Day.

What is a passing score on the LSAT?

• LSAT scores span from 120 to 180, with higher scores boosting your likelihood of getting into top law schools. A score of 172 or above is excellent, while a score around 145 is considered below average. The average LSAT score is about 150, but competitive law schools typically require scores above 160.

What was Obama's LSAT score?

• Obama was accepted into Harvard Law School, one of the top law schools with a difficult admission process. During his time, the median LSAT scores for Harvard Law were generally between 170 and 175. This suggests that the Obama LSAT scores were within this range, placing him in the top percentiles of test-takers.

What LSAT score do I need for Harvard?

• As you can see from these numbers, an LSAT score of 170 or higher and a GPA above 3.75 will give you a chance of gaining admission to Harvard Law School. If you have a GPA of 3.94 or higher and above 175, you are pretty much a lock for admission, particularly given the class size of ~560.

What is the hardest section of the LSAT?

• The Analytical Reasoning section on the LSAT is tricky because it is designed to challenge you. It tests your ability to understand how laws and rules affect legal outcomes. You'll need various skills to do well here.