LSAT Test Pattern

The test consists of five 35-minute sections of multiple-choice questions. Four of the five sections contribute to the test taker’s score. These sections include one reading comprehension section, one analytical reasoning section, and two logical reasoning sections. The unscored section typically is used to pretest new test questions or to preequate new test forms. The placement of this section, which is commonly referred to as the variable section, varies for different administrations of the test. A 35-minute writing sample is administered at the end of the test. LSAC does not score the writing sample, but copies are sent to all law schools to which a candidate applies.

Paper	Time	Format	Topics
Logical Reasoning Section I	35 minutes	24-26 questions	Analyzing Arguments Evaluating Arguments
Logical Reasoning Section II	35 minutes	24-26 questions	Analyzing Arguments Evaluating Arguments
Logical Games Section	35 minutes	23-24 questions	Basic Logic Systems of Order Outcomes
Reading Comprehension Section	35 minutes	26-28 questions	Identifying Purpose Identifying Structure Ascertaining Main Idea
Experimental Section	35 minutes	24-28 unscored, experimental questions	Any material tested in sections I-IV
Writing Sample	35 minutes	A written case on which of two scenarios is superior	Writing Ability Ability to Argue a Position

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.

Logical Reasoning – The logical reasoning tests evaluates the ability to isolate and identify the various components of any given argument. Each of the two scored Logical Reasoning sections consists of twenty-four to twenty-six questions based on short passages called "stimuli." Each stimulus takes the form of an argument—a conclusion based on evidence. You will need to understand the stimulus to answer the questions based on it. Common types of questions include weakening, strengthening, assumption, main point, inference, and parallel logic. Each is designed to test your ability to understand, analyze, evaluate, and manipulate arguments.

Reading Comprehension - The Reading Comprehension section consists of four passages, each about 450 words long with five to eight corresponding questions. These long excerpts of scholarly passages are reminiscent of the kind of prose found in law texts. The topics are chosen from the areas of social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and the law. Types of questions include identifying the main idea, detail, inference, logic, and extrapolation. The questions are designed to test your ability to read dense, scholarly material and ascertain the structure, purpose, and logic.

Experimental - The experimental section allows Law Services to test questions for use on future tests. This unscored section generally looks exactly like one of the others, so just do as well as you can on every section, and you'll be covered for this section as well.

Writing Sample - A scenario is given followed by two possible courses of action. You will have 35 minutes to make a written case that one is superior. The section doesn't require any outside knowledge. It's primarily designed to judge your ability to write a clear, persuasive argument.