Franklin & Marshall College

What is the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)?

The LSAT is a factor in admission to law school just as the SAT was a factor in your admission to Franklin & Marshall. A principal difference between the two is that law schools typically place more emphasis on the LSAT scores in making admission decisions. Scores, under the system introduced in June of 1991, range from 120 to 180 with 151 being the approximate median.In addition to the standardized, machine-scored part of the LSAT, there is a writing exercise. The writing sample is not scored, but a copy of it is sent to each law school receiving an examinee's LSAT score.

The LSAT itself presumes to test a student's ability to do the types of thinking considered essential for success in law school, but it is not an intelligence or general aptitude test. Except for the writing exercise, questions try to measure reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning. More information, including sample questions and practice exams, can be found on the LSAC website at http://www.LSAC.org

When do I take the LSATs?

The actual LSAT is not taken for practice, nor as a rule should it be taken prior to the end of the junior year. Each time is "for keeps," and one's score does not necessarily improve very much, if at all, if the test is repeated. (Students who do well should retest only if they are convinced that another attempt will produce substantially better results.) Generally, however, a student scoring below the median has little to lose by trying again.

Which scores are submitted to the laws schools to which I apply?

If you have multiple LSAT scores, going back three years, all scores are reported. There are ways of getting around this restraint. For instance, one may take the GMAT (required for entrance to most M.B.A. programs). The GMAT is not the LSAT, but in some respects the two tests are similar. The virtue of taking the GMAT is that one is at least "practicing" under realistic testing conditions.

How do I prepare for the LSAT?

Before taking the LSAT, be sure to practice. Preparation for the test is essential. Several practice books for the LSAT are available for self-instruction, and many students swear to their usefulness. The LSAT/LSDAS Information Book, contains a sample test. Moreover, Law Services will sell copies of old tests (information about ordering old tests is found in the Information Book). At the very least, exposure to such sample questions will remove the element of surprise when you take the test.

The College's Office of Continuing Education offers an LSAT prep course which students may want to consider taking even if they would not want to consider a commercial course. Some students take the F&M course as well as one of the commercial courses.

Computer-assisted instruction for the LSAT is available from at least one software company: Krell Corp., 1320 Stony Brook Road, Stony Brook, NY 11790. The Pre-Law Advisor, Dean O'Day, receives a supply of the LSAT/LSDAS Information Book each year for the use of seniors. Students may obtain one on their own by writing to:

Law School Admission Services
P.O. Box 2000
Newtown, PA 18940