LSAT FAQ
See FAQ About our LSAT Program
What is the LSAT?
The LSAT (Law School Admission Test) is a standardized exam for applicants to law schools in the United States, Canada, and Australia. The LSAT tests logical and verbal reasoning skills that are considered to be important in the study of law. It is scored out of 180 and also includes a writing sample, a copy of which is sent to every law school an applicant applies to.
Where can I register for the LSAT?
You can register for the LSAT at the website of the Law School Admission Council, the organization that administers the test (www.lsac.org).
When can I write the LSAT test?
The test is administered four times a year in June, September/October, December, and February. See LSAT Test Dates
How many times should I take the LSAT? Can I just send law schools only my highest LSAT scores?
LSAC limits applicants to taking the LSAT a maximum of three times in a two-year span. When a student applies to a law school, LSAC sends the LSAT scores of every time the student has written the test over the past five years. Although some law schools consider the highest of the applicant’s scores, others consider the average of the scores; therefore, if an applicant feels that he has performed poorly on the LSAT, he might choose to cancel the score and try the test again the next time it is offered. However, an applicant may only cancel his score within six calendar days of the test (long before his score becomes available); therefore, he must decide whether or not to cancel his score without knowing exactly how he performed.
Therefore, students should not attempt to write the LSAT until they have thoroughly prepared for the test. This is why we at Ivy Global make sure that our students have reached their potential and are achieving high LSAT scores on practice tests under realistic test conditions.
When do I have to write the LSAT by?
All law schools will accept the December LSAT of the calendar year prior to the year you would commence law school as the latest one possible (for example, if you plan to enter law school in September, you would have to write the LSAT by December). Some law schools will accept the next February LSAT as well, although admissions committees might perceive this as taking the LSAT “late,” when other applicants have already begun to receive acceptances. We recommend that you take the LSAT earlier, in June or September/October, to allow yourself the option of writing the test again.
Should I guess answers on the LSAT?
Absolutely. There is no penalty for guessing. For example, if you have ten seconds left and four questions unanswered on a section, you should just randomly guess on all of them.
When should I start to prepare for the LSAT?
That depends on how much you need to improve your score, and how many hours a day you can commit to studying for the LSAT. The summer is a great time to prepare for the test. Take a full practice test under realistic test conditions as soon as possible to identify the specific sections and question types that are challenging for you. Talk to one of our tutors or instructors to come up with a study plan to help you reach your full potential on the test.
What scores do I need to be a competitive applicant for law school?
Example LSAT Scores
School LSAT Scores Harvard University Columbia University Cornell University University of Toronto University of British Columbia University of Alberta University of Windsor Thomas M. Cooley
How important is the LSAT?
While a high LSAT score does not guarantee entry into law school, a low score does render acceptance into selective schools unlikely. Most law schools value the undergraduate GPA and the LSAT score roughly equally, but some place more emphasis on one or the other. If your undergraduate program or university is not particularly renowned, admissions officers may place more weight on your LSAT score. While GPA and LSAT are the most important factors, there are also other ones: your personal statement, reference letters, any graduate degrees, work experience, and extra-curricular activities. Some law schools publish on their websites information on how they weigh the various criteria.
When do I get my scores?
If you have an online account at LSAC’s website, you will receive your scores via e-mail about three weeks after writing the test. If you do not have an online account, score reports will be sent by mail about four weeks after the test.
How does score cancellation work?
You can cancel your score either immediately at the test centre or by a written cancellation request afterwards. To cancel your score at the test centre, fill out the section on the LSAT answer sheet called the score cancellation section. To cancel your score after the test, fill out and sign the score cancellation form available on the LSAC website and fax or mail it to LSAC. This request must be received by LSAC no later than six calendar days after the day of the test.
In what format does LSAC send my scores to law schools?
The report sent from LSAC to the law schools you apply to will include the score of every LSAT you have written, as well as any cancellations and absences, since June 2005. If you took the LSAT multiple times, it will also provide the average of your various LSAT scores.
How is the writing sample used by law schools to assess me as a candidate?
The writing sample section is not scored, but a digital copy of the essay is sent along with the LSAT score to each law school that you apply to. If you have written the LSAT multiple times, the writing samples from the three most recent tests will be sent. The importance of the LSAT writing sample depends on the law schools you apply to and the rest of your application. Since law school applications require personal statements, the LSAT writing sample is unlikely to be the primary way in which law schools evaluate applicants’ writing skills. Nonetheless, surveys suggest the majority of law schools do consider the writing sample at least occasionally when evaluating applicants.
