::::LSAT FAQ::::
General Information
What is the LSAT?
The
LSAT is a half-day, standardized test administered four times each year at
designated testing centers throughout the world. Most law schools throughout
the US and Canada use the LSAT results as part of their admission process. All
ABA-approved law schools, most Canadian law schools, and
many non-ABA-approved law schools require applicants to take the LSAT.
The test consists of five
35-minute sections of multiple-choice questions. Four of the five sections
contribute to the test taker’s score. These sections include one reading
comprehension section, one analytical reasoning section, and two logical
reasoning sections. The unscored section, commonly
referred to as the variable section, typically is used to pretest new test
questions or to preequate new test forms. The placement of this section
in the LSAT will vary. The score scale for the LSAT is
120 to 180. A 35-minute writing
sample is administered at the end of the test. The writing
sample is not scored by LSAC, but copies are sent to all law
schools to which you apply.
The
LSAT is designed to measure skills that are considered essential
for success in law school: the reading and comprehension of
complex texts with accuracy and insight; the organization and
management of information and the ability to draw reasonable
inferences from it; the ability to think critically; and the
analysis and evaluation of the reasoning and arguments of
others.
What is the quickest way to register for the test?
Registering online is
the quickest and easiest way to register. You can also call 215.968.1001 or use
the registration forms located in the current LSAT & LSDAS
Registration Packet.
If you register for a specific LSAT administration during the regular
registration period, you are not eligible for late registration for that same
administration. Once you have registered for a test during the regular
registration period, you may not withdraw or cancel your registration and
reregister for that same test during the late registration period.
Am I limited to test centers preselected by LSAC?
If it is impossible for you to travel to a test center that is already
listed, you may request the establishment of a nonpublished test center. See the
current LSAT
& LSDAS Information Book for more
information. Please note the earlier deadlines that are found in the LSAT Dates and Deadlines section of this website.
If I am wait-listed, how will I be notified when I have been
assigned to a center?
Please check your online account frequently. An admission ticket will be
available under My Docs/LSAT as soon you have been assigned.
How long after the test will I receive my results?
- LSAT takers who have LSAC online accounts will automatically receive their
LSAT scores by e-mail approximately three weeks after taking the test. This is
the quickest way to obtain your LSAT score, and there is no additional
charge.
- Test takers can obtain test scores via TelScore, for a fee of $10 (credit
card only), approximately three weeks after taking the test. TelScore:
215.968.1200; available at all times except 6:00
am to 8:00 am (ET) Sundays.
- LSAC will send score reports by mail approximately four weeks after each
test. Test takers who have LSAC online accounts will pay a one-time fee of
$25 to obtain hard-copy mailings of account information that is available
online.
How can I cancel my score?
We must receive a signed fax or overnight letter with your request
within six calendar days of the test. You can also cancel your score at
the test center if you are absolutely
certain you want to cancel your score.
How may I request a rescoring of my answer sheet?
If you wish to verify or contest the machine scoring of your answer sheet after you have received your LSAT Score Report, you may request a rescoring by hand. Send a signed request to
LSAC, 662 Penn Street, Box 2000-T, Newtown, PA 18940 or fax it to 215.968.1277. Your request must be received no later than 60 days after the test date.
Include: your name, LSAC account number, Social Security/Insurance identification number,
the test date, the test center name and code number, your reason for requesting the handscore,
and payment for the $39 ($46 CDN) handscore fee (check, money order, or credit card).
What if I encounter a problem at the test center?
Report any problem to the test supervisor. However, informing the supervisor
is not sufficient. You must also follow up your complaint by writing to
LSAC, 662 Penn Street, Box 2000-T, Newtown, PA 18940, or fax your complaint to
215.968.1277. Your complaint, which must include your signature, must
be received by LSAC within six calendar days after the administration.
How can I get a refund?
You are entitled to a partial refund of $44 ($51 CDN) if you are unable to take the
test. Send the completed Refund Request Form by the appropriate deadline date
that is found in the LSAT Dates and Deadlines section of this website.
You can download the Refund Request Form from this website or it can be obtained from the LSAT
& LSDAS Registration Packet. LSAC will also accept a signed, dated letter as
long as it makes the appropriate
deadline date that is found in the LSAT Dates and Deadlines section of this website.
Can I change my test date?
Yes. The easiest way to change your test date is through your online account.
You may also use the Test Date Change form or a
signed, dated, written request. Enclose a $32
payment ($37 CDN plus 7% Goods and Service Tax). The Test Date Change
form can be found on this website under Downloadable Forms. Be sure that the request is
postmarked by the appropriate date, which can be found in the LSAT Dates and Deadlines section of this website.
If my credit card was denied for the registration fee, can I still take the
test?
Yes. You may take the test; however, you cannot receive, nor can your schools
receive, your score report until the outstanding balance has been
paid.
Should I take the test again?
If you believe that your test score does not reflect your true ability, you
should consider taking the test again. Data show that scores for repeat test
takers often rise slightly. However, be aware that your scores may drop. You
should also notify law schools of any facts relevant to the interpretation of
your test results, such as illness or extenuating circumstances. If there is no
reason to believe that one score represents a truer estimate of an applicant’s
ability, schools are advised that the average score is probably the best
estimate of ability—especially if the tests were taken over short period of
time. Law schools must have access to your complete test record, not just the
highest score; therefore, LSAC will not honor requests for partial score
reports.
How many times can I take the LSAT?
Normally, you may not take the LSAT more than three times in any two-year
period. This policy applies even if you cancel your score or it is not otherwise
reported. LSAC reserves the right to cancel your registration, rescind your
admission ticket, or take any other steps necessary to enforce this policy.
However, you may retake the LSAT if a law school to which you are applying
requires a more recent score than any you have on record, or approves your
retaking the test, and the school
provides LSAC with written proof of its requirement no later than the last day of
registration for the test.
How will my scores be reported?
LSAC will automatically report the results of all LSATs in your file,
including cancellations and absences, since June 1, 2002. The scores are
averaged and also appear separately. If you wish to have older scores obtained between June 1,
1998, and June 1, 2002,
placed
on a current file, you may do so by sending a signed, dated request to LSAC.
How can I obtain a paper copy of my current
LSAT score report?
If you have a current online account with an existing LSAT/LSDAS
registration and a current LSAT score, you can view your score in the account
status portion of your online account. (Select Account Status, then LSAT.) If
your score is recent enough, you may also print out the IRR (Item Response
Report) PDF from the My Docs tab of your online account. (Select LSAT, then Test
Documents.)
To receive a paper copy of your score report in the mail from LSAC when
you already have an online account, you must first purchase the Paper
Document Service. For a one-time fee of $25, paper documents will be mailed to
those with current online LSAT/LSDAS accounts. (See My Docs/Main.) Once
you have purchased the Paper Document Service, simply request a copy of your
report via e-mail, phone, fax, or mail.
How can I receive or have a law school receive a paper copy of my older,
noncurrent LSAT score report?
Scores prior to June 2002 are not considered current for law school reporting
and are not available for printing from an online account. See instructions
below for ordering:
Send a signed, dated, written request to LSAC, 662 Penn Street, Box 2600,
Newtown, PA 18940-0979 with a $39 check or money order ($46 CDN plus 7% Goods and Service Tax.) Please include the following
information:
- Your name as it appeared when you took the test
- Your signature on the letter
- Your Social
Security number or Canadian Social Insurance number
- Your date of birth
- Your
current address or the name and address of all schools to which you want the
report sent
- Your most recent test date
- Your mailing address
Be sure to check with the school(s) to determine if an LSDAS report
is needed. Scores earned prior to June 1998 will not be reported to law schools.
NOTE: Reports may only be sent to you or to law schools (not to graduate
schools, employers, scholarship programs, etc.).
How do my transcripts get forwarded to LSAC?
It is your responsibility to have an official copy of your transcripts sent
to LSAC directly from the registrar for every institution you have attended. If you register online, your Transcript Request Forms are accessible only
after you register for the LSDAS and enter your school information. Paper Transcript
Request Forms are available in the LSAT & LSDAS Registration Packet
for those who register by mail.
What time is the test administered?
Test takers must report to the test centers for the September, December, and February administrations of the LSAT
no later than 8:30 am. The
reporting time for the June LSAT is 12:30 pm.
Candidates registered at foreign test centers should note the actual test date,
day, and reporting time printed on their LSAT Admission Ticket.
What materials do I need to bring?
Test takers may bring into the test room only a clear plastic ziplock bag
(maximum size one gallon/3.79 liter) containing only the following items: LSAT
Admission Ticket stub, valid ID, wallet, keys, hygiene products, #2 or HB
pencils (no mechanical pencils), erasers, pencil sharpener, highlighter,
tissues, and beverage in a plastic container or juice box (20 oz./591 ml.
maximum size) and snack for break only.
Test takers may use an analog nondigital wristwatch. No electronic timing
devises are permitted.
How can I inquire about a test question?
If, while taking the LSAT, you find what you believe to be an error or
ambiguity in a test question that affects your response to the question, report
it to the test supervisor as soon as you finish the test and write immediately
to: Law School Admission Council, Test Development, 662 Penn Street,
Box 40, Newtown, PA 18940-0040. You may also contact us by e-mail at LSATTS@LSAC.org. The LSAC document, Policies and Procedures Governing Challenges to Law School Admissions Test
Questions can be found here.
How long should I keep records?
Some state bar associations inquire about the law school admission records of
those seeking admission to the bar. You should keep and maintain complete copies
of all law school application records throughout the admission cycle and your
law school career. |
