Do you want to become a lawyer? If you do, the first step in the process is acing your Law School Admission Test. Once you’ve done that, you can start applying to the law school you want to get accepted into.
What is the LSAT?
To better understand what the Law School Admission Test entails, it’s essential to understand its purpose. The half-day standardized test is the only test of its type accepted for admission by all ABA-accredited law schools. It assesses the critical skills needed for students to succeed in law school by focusing on reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and analytical reasoning. The test is available to take only seven times throughout the year, so it’s important to schedule a testing session early.
What is on the Law School Admission Test and When Should You Register for the Exam?
There are four main sections found on the Law School Admission Test.
- Logical Reasoning (also known as Arguments): read short passages and answer questions about each one. This section tests you on drawing well-supported conclusions, identifying flaws in an argument, and reasoning by analogy. Ability to isolate and identify the components of a given argument; this is where the concepts of conclusion, evidence assumption, and inference come into play.
- Analytical Reasoning (also known as Logic Games): Measures your ability to understand the structure of relationships and draw conclusions from it. You will be asked to make deductions from a set of statements, rules, or conditions. They simulate what law students will do when solving legal questions.
- Reading Comprehension: Appears on most standardized tests. Make sense of dense, unfamiliar, and scholarly material. You will then identify the structure, purpose, and logic. The topics on the exam include social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and law.
- Unscored Writing Sample (also known as the Essay): The essay portion of the test shows how well you can argue a position. The writing sample is used by law schools to help them choose between two equal candidates as well as used as a comparison tool to confirm your personal statement.
The LSAT also includes an unscored experimental section. The test maker asks questions that could appear on future LSATs. It is advised that you don’t spend a lot of time on this section since it won’t help or hurt your score.
It’s best to register for the LSAT at least four to six weeks in advance of the scheduled test date. It gives you plenty of time to study for the test. It also ensures that you don’t blow your chances of getting accepted into the law school of your choice. You should know when the college of your choice stops taking students for the year.
What Should You Study and How to Prepare for the LSAT?
When you register for the LSAT in advance, you can create a study plan to prepare for the test. Investing in the very best materials available is advisable. It allows you to access many of the sample questions.
It may be in your best interest to take prep courses and to also find a study group to meet with, too. Anything you can do to increase your knowledge will help you receive the highest score possible on the test. It makes it easier for you to get into law school and possibly receive scholarships based on the Law School Admission Test results submitted.
What Do You Need to Apply to Law School?
There are multiple things that you need to have to apply for law school. Making sure that you’ve gathered or written them in advance makes the application process much smoother. You’ll first want to make sure that you already obtained an undergraduate degree and have access to your transcripts.
You’ll also need to submit a copy of your Law School Admission Test score, a personal statement as required by most ABA-accredited law schools, letters of recommendation, your resume as well as a list of applicable activities pertaining to law. You’ll also need to fill out an application and pay for the fee required to do so. Once you’ve fulfilled the admission requirements, sit back, relax, and wait to hear back from the schools you applied to.
What Happens After Law School?
After you’ve completed your law program and have graduated with your Juris Doctor, you will need to take the bar exam. The exam is administered by the state. Each state has its own set of requirements and standards you must pass in order to become a licensed lawyer. You will need to decide which state you plan to practice law in and sign up for the bar exam in that state.
Once you get your license to practice law in your state, you can start applying for jobs at a law firm. You can look for legal jobs by submitting your application, cover letter, and resume to any potential employers. When searching for jobs, you will look for associate partner positions at the firm. Once you become an associate at the law firm, you can then work your way to becoming a partner in the firm.
A Final Note
By acing the LSAT, you are one step closer to becoming a lawyer. You’ll have one of the requirements needed to apply for law school completed. Once you’ve been accepted to the school of your choice and completed your training, your next step is to pass the Bar Exam and start practicing law.
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Neha Nidhi
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