Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the LSAT
LSAT Registration FAQs
The best way is to set up an account on the LSAC website and register online, which can be done 24/7. Phone registration at (215) 968-1001 is the only other option, and the hours for this are limited (weekdays 8:30 am to 6:00 pm from September through the following February and weekdays 8:30 am to 4:45 pm from March through August).
An LSAC-approved identification document, an original photograph (not the one on your ID), and a credit card.
The current registration base fee is $190. There are additional charges for any registration changes or optional services (such as test change fees and handscoring fees).
Until 11:59 pm the night before the test. If you don't cancel and don't show up, you will be marked "absent", and your absence will be indicated on your score report.
LSAT Administration FAQs
In the United States, the LSAT is widely available at test centers in all 50 states. There are also a number of test centers overseas, but test dates tend to be harder to come by in other countries. Most test centers are located in or near major cities.
As of September 2019, the LSAT is digital-only for test-takers in North America. This means that students take the test on a tablet rather than in pencil-and-paper format. The exam itself (structure, content, and timing) has not changed.
Counting the check-in procedure and breaks, you'll be there about five hours.
There was for a long time, but LSAC recently changed its policy, and there are now no official limits on retakes.
LSAT Scoring FAQs
From 120 to 180 in one-point increments.
A scaled score (120-180), percentile ranking, average score for all test attempts, and score band.
170-180 is terrific, 160-169 is good to very good, 150-159 is average to slightly above average, and below 150 is below average.
Start by reviewing the information on the school's website (look for the Standard 509 Information Report, which will have GPA and LSAT data for admitted students). You can also use LSAC's admission calculator, which will allow you to learn acceptance odds at most ABA-accredited programs.
LSAT Acceptance FAQs
Yes.
In Canada, it depends on the program (the LSAT is OK for common-law programs, but not for other types of legal study). The LSAT is accepted by some law schools in Australia. The LSAT India is available for admission to selected Indian law schools. There is also a Spanish LSAT that may be taken by applicants to three law schools in Puerto Rico. The LSAT isn’t used by law schools elsewhere in the world.
About 40 U.S. law schools now accept the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and the number keeps growing. Did you mean that you want to go to law school without taking a standardized test at all? Sorry, you're out of luck (as far as we know, all U.S. programs either require the LSAT or give their applicants a choice between the LSAT and the GRE).
According to LSAC, pretty well, but what do you expect them to say? There isn't a lot of independent research on LSAT validity, but there are criticisms of LSAC's validity claims.