The LSAT® is administered in two parts. The first part consists of four 35-minute sections of multiple-choice questions. The second part of the LSAT consists of an unscored writing sample, known as LSAT Argumentative Writing.
Multiple-Choice LSAT Questions
The multiple-choice portion of the LSAT includes three scored sections and one unscored section, which enables us to validate new test questions for future use. This validation process is a vital part of our commitment to fairness and helps ensure that our questions continue their long standard of being free from any kind of bias. The unscored section can be any one of the question types — Reading Comprehension or Logical Reasoning — and can occur at any point in the test. The vast majority of test takers can choose whether to take the multiple-choice LSAT in person or remotely — whichever option works best for them.
Reading Comprehension Section
Reading Comprehension questions assess your ability to read and understand examples of long-form, complex materials which are similar to those that you’ll encounter in law school.
Learn more about LSAT Reading Comprehension
Logical Reasoning Section
Logical Reasoning questions assess your ability to analyze, critically evaluate, and complete arguments.
Learn more about the LSAT Logical Reasoning
LSAT Argumentative Writing
LSAT Argumentative Writing will continue to be an unscored part of the LSAT.
LSAT Argumentative Writing is separately administered online using secure proctoring software that you can install on your own computer. You can take LSAT Argumentative Writing at your convenience, as early as eight (8) days prior to the date of your multiple-choice test. LSAT Argumentative Writing will continue to be administered remotely for all test takers, meaning that it is not available at a Prometric test center.
As a part of the writing task, you will be presented with a debatable issue, along with three or four perspectives that provide additional context for the issue. You will then draft an argumentative essay in which you take a position on the issue, while addressing some of the arguments and ideas presented by the other perspectives. There are no “right” or “wrong” positions; the writing sample is designed to let you demonstrate your persuasive writing skills. Law schools will examine the reasoning, clarity, organization, language usage, and writing mechanics you display in your sample. You will have 50 total minutes to complete your writing sample — 15 minutes for prewriting analysis and 35 minutes for essay writing.