What’s on the LSAT

Logical Reasoning (Arguments) LSAT Section

The Logical Reasoning LSAT Section has multiple-choice questions that ask test takers to analyze and evaluate arguments. For example, test takers might have to select the answer choice that strengthens or weakens an argument, or identify the conclusion.

Logical Reasoning LSAT Section at a Glance

• 2 sections
• About 25 questions each
• 35 minutes each

Skills Tested

• Ability to determine main points of arguments
• Ability to apply logic to abstract concepts
• Ability to find relevant information within a text
• Ability to analyze and evaluate arguments

Analytical Reasoning (Games) LSAT Section

The Analytical Reasoning LSAT Section presents test takers with logic "games" (for example, arranging tea cups on a shelf or dinner guests at a party) and asks them to draw conclusions, make deductions, or make predictions based on a predetermined set of rules.

Analytical Reasoning LSAT Section at a Glance

Skills Tested

• Ability to understand effects of rules on decisions and outcomes
• Ability to determine relationships between concepts
• Ability to analyze situations and draw conclusions based on set guidelines
• Ability to apply logic to ambiguous or complex situations

Reading Comprehension LSAT Section

The Reading Comprehension LSAT Section has 4 sections, 3 of which include passages between 400 and 500 words long, and 1 of which has two shorter passages, each 200 to 300 words long. Each passage is followed by a list of questions.

There have been changes to the Reading Comprehension LSAT Section which began with the June 2007 exam. Here's LSAC's description: "Starting with the June 2007 administration, LSAC is introducing a new variant of reading comprehension, called comparative reading, as one of the four sets in the LSAT reading comprehension section. In general, comparative reading questions are similar to traditional reading comprehension questions, except that comparative reading questions are based on two shorter passages instead of one longer passage. The two passages together are of roughly the same length as one reading comprehension passage, so the total amount of reading in the reading comprehension section will remain essentially the same. A few of the questions that follow a comparative reading passage pair might concern only one of the two passages, but most will be about both passages and how they relate to each other."

Reading Comprehension LSAT Section at a Glance

• About 27 questions
• 35 minutes

Skills Tested

• Ability to draw inferences based on text
• Ability to determine main ideas of passages
• Ability to find relevant information within a text
• Ability to understand a dense, scholarly text

Essay LSAT Section

The Essay LSAT Section is not graded, but it is sent to law schools with your LSAT score. It's sometimes used as a "tie breaker" when 2 candidates seem to be equal in other measures.

The Decision Prompt

Students are presented with a hypothetical scenario and given a choice between 2 different actions. Students then must choose which action is better and support their decisions with reasons why.

Essay LSAT Section at a Glance

• 35 minutes

Skills Tested

• Ability to form an argument based on given facts
• Ability to support an argument
• Ability to use written English to express an idea

Experimental LSAT Section

The Experimental LSAT Section is used to test potential questions for future LSATs. It's presented as an extra logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, or reading comprehension section. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell which part of your test is experimental, so be sure to give equal effort to each LSAT section.

Experimental LSAT Section at a Glance

• 35 minutes
• About 25 questions