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The Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is a
standardized test that is required for admission to law
school. The test is divided into five 35-minute sections.
There is one reading comprehension section, like the SAT,
and three sections which test logical analysis. The fifth
section consists of possible questions for future tests and
does not contribute to your own score. There is also a
30-minute "writing sample" section to measure your writing
skills and ability to express ideas. Although this section
is not scored, it will be sent to the law schools you
applied to. The LSAT is scored on a scale of 120-180 (the
average score is 151). Scores arrive in approximately five
weeks.
Registration -- The test is offered four times a year (June,
October, December and February). The best time to take the
test is in June between your junior and senior year.
Registration for he LSAT is relatively easy. LSAT booklets
are available from your pre-law adviser or in the Career
Center. They contain sample questions and other information.
You can register for the test by mail, telephone or on the
Internet. To register online, it takes about 15 minutes and
can be done at http://www.lsac.org. The cost is $88 and
includes one report. Late registrants must pay a late fee of
$53.
The Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) provides a
report to each school you apply to. The report contains
college transcripts, LSAT scores, letters of recommendation,
and an undergraduate academic summary. Most law schools
require that you subscribe to the LSDAS. You do not have to
subscribe when you register for the LSAT, as long as you do
so well before your first law school deadline. Applications
are available in the LSAT booklet. The 12-month subscription
to the LSDAS costs $95 and includes on report. If you are
applying to more than one school, it is $9 for each
additional report.
Helpful Hints -- (1) You can't really study for the LSAT
because it is an aptitude test. However, you can prepare for
the types of questions that it asks by using the study
guide. (2) Do not take the LSAT for practice! All the scores
are reported to the schools you selected and an average
score is taken. It is better to take practice exams instead
and prepare that way.
Review Materials -- There are several review materials
available to prepare for the LSAT. The LSAC offers the
PrepTest. It is an actual LSAT administered on the test
date. You can time yourself and practice as though you were
taking the real thing. Each PrepTest contains a writing
sample and an answer key. They are available through http://www.lsac.org.
Another option for preparing for the LSAT is a review course
offered through Princeton Review or Kaplan. The Princeton
Review courses lasts one month and costs $965. You can
register online at http://www.princetonreview.com. Princeton
Review also offers an online course ($499) as well as a
LiveOnline course ($999). Their website also includes a
sample test. Kaplan offers LSAT prep courses at Meredith.
The one month course costs $999. An online course is
available through Kaplan and costs $499.
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