The Law School Admission Test is a type of standardized test that most law schools require for those submitting applications. In the same way that you would take the ACT or SAT before applying to college, you need to take the LSAT before you apply for law school. If you want to apply to business schools or graduate school, you can take a similar test like the GMAT or GRE. You only need to take the LSAT if you want to go to law school.
What Does the LSAT Test?
According to the official website of the Law School Admission Test, this exam consists of three separate sections. The first is the reading comprehension section that tests how well you can understand complex passages and materials similar to those you might encounter in law school. Analytical reasoning, which asks questions about structures and relationships is the second section. The final section, which is the logical reasoning sections, provides you with arguments and readings and asks you to analyze each one. The test also includes a section of sample questions that do not count towards your score but help determine new questions for future tests and a writing sample section. Each of the three main sections consists of 35 multiple choice questions.
When Should You Take It?
The best time to take the LSAT depends on when you want to go to law school. If you want to send off applications during your late junior year or during the summer before your senior year, you should take the exam late in your sophomore year or at the beginning of your junior year. Most students submit applications at the beginning of their senior years or in the middle of that year. Taking the test as a sophomore or junior lets you see the score you received and decide whether to take a test prep class before taking the exam again.
How Often Can You Take the Exam?
You can only take the LSAT up to three times within two years. The date of your first attempt starts the clock. If you take the test on January 1, 2016, you can only take it two times between that date and January 1 of 2018. If you can provide proof of a reason why the testing board should let you make an extra attempt, you’ll need to submit that proof in writing. You should get a response within seven business days.
Who Should Take It?
Anyone who wants to go to law school should take the LSAT. The score you received is valid for a period of three years following the date of the exam. You can use that score to apply to law school after taking some time off college or when you apply during your senior year. Some schools will accept scores for a period of five years, but you will still need to contact the testing board and request that it mail an official copy of that score to the law school when you apply.
The questions asked on the LSAT are similar to some of the assignments you might have in law school. Law schools use your score to determine how well you will do in those programs. Anyone hoping to apply to law school in the coming years should take the Law School Admission Test.
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