Learn the LSAT

Prepare for Key Exams

Will you need to take an entrance exam to be admitted to a graduate program? If so, which one?

The answer to these questions vary considerably depending on your intended graduate field and the specific programs to which you will apply. While there are many common entrance exams for graduate school, the most commonly required exam is the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test, occasionally supplemented by a variety of GRE Subject Tests. Other key exams include the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), Law School Admission Test (LSAT), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST), and California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET).

The list of potential exams can be quite long, so we encourage you to use this page to get started.

Overview

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is an exam required for admission to almost every law school in the United States. If you would like to become a lawyer, you will likely need to take the LSAT.

Performing well on the LSAT is extremely important for law school admission, oftentimes more important than your GPA and overall academic performance.

Taking the Exam

The LSAT is a 3-hour computer-based exam, consisting of four 35-minute sections (with two 10-minute breaks between the second and third session). The sections are broken up into three different categories:

Analytical Reasoning
Logical Reasoning
Reading Comprehension

Registration and Timeline

The LSAT costs $222 (as of January 2023), but there are many other fees associated with applying to law school as documented by the LSAT & CAS Fees and Refunds. Budget accordingly, as the cost of the whole process can add up quickly. The LSAT is offered multiple times per year (see LSAT Dates, Deadlines, and Score Release Dates for more information). We recommend taking the exam when you feel most prepared but also early on in the application cycle.

Study Tips

Preparing for LSAT Success is a multi-month endeavor for most students, with some students opting to use paid preparation services, and others opting to rely on free preparation materials instead. The choice is an individual one and will depend on your learning style, but taking practice tests is critical either way. Join LawHub to gain access to 4 official preptests along with additional content related to applying to law school.

Learn More

For more information regarding the LSAT and law school applications, review our tips about careers in Legal Practice.