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Reviewed by:
Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University
Reviewed: 2/9/24
The LSAT made big changes in 2024 - keep reading to find out why and how to best prepare for the new LSAT.
The LSAT, or Law School Admission Test, underwent a big change in 2024, removing an entire section and replacing it with an additional section. While the new LSAT format isn’t expected to affect students’ performance, it’s important to understand what’s changing and why.
This article provides insight into the new format for the LSAT, exploring the reasons behind the changes, expectations of difficulty, and how to prepare effectively. If you plan to take the LSAT, read on to ensure you're ready for what's coming.
Beginning from August 2024 test, the LSAT changed. The test now features two scored Logical Reasoning (LR) sections, one scored Reading Comprehension (RC) section, and an unscored section of either LR or RC.
As of the June 2024 test, logic games will be completely phased out. Despite this, the LSAT will maintain its focus on evaluating analytical and deductive reasoning skills which are crucial for students studying law.
To make up for the replacement of the logic games section, The LR section has been completely revamped to assess reasoning skills critical for success in law school.
What isn’t changing is the LSAT’s ability to test your reading comprehension, reasoning, and writing skills which are critical to practices in law. The new change will be an adjustment, but that just means you’ll have to reallocate your study time.
The decision to replace the current logic games with a second LR section should help to reduce the anxiety of several students by including an accessible test format. Previously, many visually impaired students struggled with the diagramming portion of the logic games, so this new format should level the playing field.
This decision was not taken lightly. A lot of research, including hundreds of thousands of test takers across several years, indicated that swapping a second logical reasoning section for the logic games section had minimal impact on overall scoring.
LSAC has announced the change several months in advance to allow students to prepare ahead of time. This means you can reallocate the time you would’ve studied for the logic games section to even more time studying Logical Reasoning.
The LSAT changes made in 2024 are driven by several reasons. These changes were instituted after careful consideration and evaluation by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) to address concerns and adapt to legal education and practice changes.
The recent changes to the LSAT format have impacted how test-takers approach preparation. With Juris Education, you can stay ahead by understanding the new digital format, timing adjustments, and strategies tailored to the updated structure.
The new LSAT is not expected to be more difficult. Rather, it is designed to reflect the skills and experiences needed for success in law school and modern legal practice.
One key change that might raise difficulty concerns is the structure change.
The removal of the logic games section eliminates the uncertainty that test-takers previously faced. While this might be daunting, it streamlines the exam, making it less time-consuming and perhaps even less stressful. This change will likely make the LSAT more accessible to a broader range of test-takers.
Furthermore, LSAC has made strides to ensure that students have access to the tools they need to familiarize themselves with the digital format. This includes practice tests in the new format and free test prep tools.
The intention is to level the playing field and ensure that all students, regardless of their prior experience with digital tools, have the opportunity to perform their best on the LSAT.
While the new format might change from what test-takers are accustomed to, the shifts are designed to make the test more representative of the skills needed in law school and the legal profession. In that sense, it may not be more difficult but rather more relevant.
The key to success in this new format will be preparation, practice, and understanding the evolving demands of the legal field. Students who take advantage of the resources and approach the LSAT strategically will likely perform well, even in this updated format.
Preparing for the new LSAT format requires a strategic and well-structured approach. Here are some essential steps to ensure you're well-prepared for the LSAT:
The LSAT format brings changes, but you can adapt and perform at your best with thorough preparation and the right approach. Practice, digital proficiency, and a well-structured study plan will help you prepare for the test.
Here are answers to some frequent questions people ask about the new LSAT format.
Yes, you can prepare for the new LSAT using old textbooks. However, it is better to use new digital materials. Using the official LSAC practice tests resource will be more effective.
Yes, there will still be an experimental section in the new LSAT to test question types for future exams. You will now have two scored logical reasoning sections, one scored reading comprehension section, and one unscored, experimental LR or RC section. You will still not be able to tell which section is unscored.
No, there are no changes in the scoring. The scale still ranges from 120 to 180, with 120 being the lowest and 180 the highest.
The transition does not affect the overall time allocated for the LSAT. The LSAT still has the same time as the traditional paper-and-pencil version.
No, you cannot use your device for LSAT. LSAC provides the device for the digital LSAT. Test-takers must use the Microsoft Surface Go tablet provided by the test center.
Some test-day procedures remain the same, such as check-in and security protocols. However, you will not need to bring pencils, highlighters, or paper since all note-taking is done digitally on the provided tablet.
Though the LSAT might look a little different now, you can still set yourself up for success. Understanding the format changes, the reasoning behind them, and preparation methods are all vital to your success.
Don’t stress - the changes in the new LSAT format should help you achieve a better score if you follow the steps listed above. Rest assured that your performance on this test remains a key step toward your legal career. Good luck with your LSAT!
Reviewed by:
Former Head of Northeastern University's Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University
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