LSAT Key Facts

The LSAT is the standardized achievement examination for law school admissions in the United States and is produced by LSAC, Inc. It was first administered in 1948 and has remained one of the most consistent and standardized of all entrance exams. The LSAT has historically consisted of 3 multiple choice types and an essay; the multiple choice section types are Reading Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, and Logic Games. The LSAT is required for admission to LSAC-member law schools, most Canadian law schools, and many non–ABA–approved law schools.

• The LSAT is a 3.5 to 4 hour test and can be taken at any one of many test centers in the United States and around the world 4 times a year.
• The LSAT composite score ranges from 120 to 180 and is drawn from the four scored multiple choice sections. The writing section does not get factored into the composite score.
• There is no penalty for incorrect answers on the LSAT.
• A 35-minute writing sample is administered at the end of the test. LSAC does not score the writing sample, but copies of the writing sample are sent to all law schools to which you apply. The writing sample is the cover sheet for your application when it is submitted by LSAC and is seriously evaluated. 
• The LSAT can be taken as many times as desired, but law schools prefer applicants to have tested fewer than three times.
• Applicants with multiple scores are assessed by law schools by varying standards, with some schools taking an average, others taking highest score, and others taking newest score.
• The average and most popular LSAT score for nearly all administrations is 151.