The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a multiple-choice test used by law schools to help them select candidates. The test is administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) four times a year -- generally February, June, October, and December. It's divided into five multiple-choice sections and one writing sample.

LSAT Structure

Each test has 101 questions, and neither the experimental section, nor the writing sample counts toward your score. The multiple-choice sections may be given in any order, but the writing sample is always administered last. The experimental section can be any of the three types of multiple-choice sections, and is used by the test writers to test out new questions on your time and at your expense.

How Is the LSAT Scored?

The LSAT is scored on a scale of 120-180. The average score is 151, but most competitive law schools look for candidates with scores that are significantly higher. Each score you receive is valid for five years after you take the test. The median LSAT score for a sample of top law schools is provided below:

THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER PREPARATION

A student who scores a 154 is in the 63rd percentile of all LSAT-takers. If that student's score were 161, however, that same student would jump to the 86th percentile. Depending upon your score, a 7-point improvement can increase your percentile ranking by over 30 percentile points.

Because so much is riding on your LSAT score, it is important to spend time preparing for the LSAT and practicing with old tests. Preparing for the LSAT requires significant discipline and focus, and a review course can be very helpful. Law Preview recommends The Princeton Review Hyperlearning LSAT prep course. No other method of LSAT preparation can compete with their unique combination of intensive classroom lessons and comprehensive print and online LSAT materials, where you'll get all the practice you need to get your highest LSAT score.

2010 LSAT Test Dates & REGISTRATION DEADLINES

* Alternative test date available for Saturday Sabbath observers.
** Test date for Sabbath observers.

For the most up-to-date test registration information visit LSAC.org.