Preparing for the LSAT
Jeffery Dubinski-Neessen
Assistant Dean for Admissions & Financial Aid
Law School Admissions Test
Designed to measure skills that are
essential for success in law school.
Reading Comprehension
Analytical Reasoning
Logical Reasoning
Has a high correlation with law school
academic success.
First administered in 1948.
Reading Comprehension
The purpose of LSAT Reading
Comprehension questions is to
measure the ability to read, with
understanding and insight, examples of
lengthy and complex materials similar
to those commonly encountered in law
school.
* Source of text, www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/
Analytical Reasoning
 Comprehending the basic structure of a set of relationships by
determining a complete solution to the problem posed (for example,
an acceptable seating arrangement of all six diplomats around a
table)
 Reasoning with conditional ("if-then") statements and recognizing
logically equivalent formulations of such statements
 Inferring what could be true or must be true from given facts and rules
 Inferring what could be true or must be true from given facts and rules
together with new information in the form of an additional or substitute
fact or rule
 Recognizing when two statements are logically equivalent in context
by identifying a condition or rule that could replace one of the original
conditions while still resulting in the same possible outcomes
* Source of text, www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/
Logical Reasoning
 Recognizing the parts of an argument and their relationships
 Recognizing similarities and differences between patterns of
reasoning
 Drawing well-supported conclusions
 Reasoning by analogy
 Recognizing misunderstandings or points of disagreement
 Determining how additional evidence affects an argument
 Detecting assumptions made by particular arguments
 Identifying and applying principles or rules
 Identifying flaws in arguments
 Identifying explanations
* Source of text, www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/
Registering with LSAC.org
 $175 registration fee
 Administered in June, September/October,
December & February
 Scores are reported for five years from the
date of exam (some schools have a three
year rule).
 www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/
How is the exam scored?
Five sections (four are scored)
The fifth is typically used to pretest new
sections.
Writing section is offered as well, but
not scored, serves as writing sample.
Has a score range of 120 to 180.
How Should I Prepare for the
LSAT?
Should not be taken spontaneously.
Generally suggest candidates take 6-8
weeks to prepare before taking the
actual exam.
The best way to prepare is to practice.
On your own, classes, tutors?
Familiarize Yourself with the Exam
Start off studying and taking practice
exams.
Study for a couple of hours a day.
As you start understanding the
concepts and getting questions correct,
start timing yourself.
Each section is timed for 35 minutes.
Building Your Test Stamina
Take as many practice exams as
possible.
Be sure to time yourself.
Each week make sure you are
increasing the amount of time spent
studying so you ultimately are taking
full-length exams before sitting down
for the real thing.
Types of Courses for LSAT Prep
Depends on your own learning style
How do you best learn?
What are your financial means
In person courses
Can be cost prohibitive ranging from $800 (selfpaced) to $2,600 (one-on-one tutors).
Online Courses
Individually
Prep books can be bought for less than $50
When should I take the exam
Offered 4 times a year.
Depends on when you are applying to
law school and when you will have time
to study.
When are the application deadlines for
the schools you are applying to?
Keep in mind, test scores usually take
three weeks +/- to receive after exam.
Taking the Exam More than Once
Can only take exam three times in a
two year period.
It is okay to take LSAT more than one
time.
Should always want to submit your
best work.
Schools may take highest score or
averaged score. Ask the admissions
officers first.
Question?
Jeffery Dubinski-Neessen
Assistant Dean for Admissions & Financial Aid
UNM School of Law
[email protected]
(505) 277-0958