Curvebreakers - McGraw-Hills LSAT, 2011 Edition

McGRAW-HILLs LSAT

Curvebreakers

2011 EDITION

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Editor

Chris Keenum

Special Thanks

Nick Degani
Wendy Hanks
Patrick Keenum
Evan Magers
Matt Ott
Josh Salzman
Aman Solomon

Additional Thanks

Dave Gaston
Nathan Kitchens
Ken Reinker
The Whigs

McGRAW-HILLs LSAT

In this chapter you will learn:

When to take the LSAT and how to register for the test

The format of a typical LSAT

How the LSAT is scored

The three main types of LSAT questions

Why it makes sense to guess if you cannot answer a question

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is required for admission by more than 200 law schools in the United States and Canada that are members of the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Many law schools that are not LSAC members also require applicants to take the LSAT.

According to the LSAC, the LSAT is designed to measure certain skills that are considered vital to success in law school. These include the ability to read and understand complicated text passages, to draw reasonable inferences and conclusions from them, to think critically, and to evaluate logical arguments.

When the LSAT Is Given. The LSAC administers the LSAT four times each year at designated test centers in the United States and Canada and throughout the world. The four test dates are typically on Saturdays in February, June, October, and December. Many law schools require that you take the LSAT by December if you are applying for admission the following fall. However, applicants are often advised to take the test earlier than December, that is, in October or even June of the year before they expect to begin law school.

How to Register. You can register for the LSAT by mail, by telephone, or online. A registration fee is charged. Regular registration takes place until approximately 30 days before the test date. Late registration is allowed until about three weeks before the test date, but a higher fee is charged. You cannot register for the test on the day it is given.

To register, contact the Law School Admission Council at the following address:

Law School Admission Council

662 Penn Street

Box 2000

Newtown, PA 18940-0998

Tel. (215) 968-1001 (service representatives are available on weekdays only)

For online registration: www.LSAC.org

Registration forms are included in the LSAT and LSDAS Registration/Information Book, a booklet that is usually available in college and university guidance offices or by mail from the LSAC. If you are registering by mail, fill out the forms in the booklet and mail them in the enclosed, preaddressed return envelope. Faxed registration forms are not accepted.

When you register, you will have the opportunity to select a first-choice and second-choice test center located near you. If both centers you select are full or unavailable, the LSAC will assign you to another center located as near to you as possible.

Alternative Testing Arrangements. If you observe Saturday Sabbaths, you may take the LSAT on the Monday following the regular Saturday testing date. To do so, you must submit to the LSAC a letter from your rabbi or minister on official stationery confirming your religious affiliation.

Special testing accommodations are also available for test takers with documented disabilities. To request these arrangements, obtain an accommodations request packet by contacting the LSAC either by mail or online. The LSAC urges test takers who wish to request special testing accommodations to do so well in advance of the registration deadline.