I took the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) out of curiosity. Yes, that’s right, curiosity. Curiosity about the test. Curiosity about the law profession. Curiosity about whether I had something in me that would click with this test. Maybe it was because I’d recently done well on a 4 hour professional certification exam. I jumped into the land of LSAT and got a glimpse into a field that I didn’t know much about. And I liked it, somewhat. Here are my thoughts on the test, the logistics of the test, preparation, and dipping my toes into the world of law school admissions.
The Test
I enjoyed it. It’s a mental challenge, like doing a long Sudoku puzzle that somehow involves reading Tolstoy. Nothing about the test surprised me. There were questions I knew I would have under control and questions that would challenge me. I didn’t have any delusions of grandeur that I would ace it. Part of my relaxed attitude toward the test was because I knew my law school application wasn’t counting on my score.
Of the 3 main sections, my favorite was the analytical reasoning. The “games.” They can be challenging, but I like working them. I thought 3 of the 4 games on the test were reasonable. I was short on time to give the 4th game my full attention. In other words, I didn’t master the games section enough to complete all 4 in the allotted 35 minutes.
The reading comprehension section was my least favorite. I think my 4th grade teacher could have predicted that. My performance on the reading comp sections ultimately came down to my level of comfort with the topic. If it was a physical science topic, I got it. If it was a cultural history topic, ah, next question.
The 2 logical reasoning sections make up half the test. It can seem like the easiest part of the test, but that’s deceiving. Some of the questions are easy. Then they build to questions that make you think 4 of the 5 answers are correct. Wait, no, they’re all wrong. Huh? How about B? Yeah, B. Sure!
The final section, the writing sample, is harmless. That’s primarily because it’s not part of the test score. Also because I like to write. The frustrating part of the writing sample is that you have to hand write the essay. That’s right. You hand write the essay. Which leads me into the logistics of the exam.
Test Logistics
It’s a paper test with a Scantron answer sheet. That’s ridiculous. I felt like I was back in middle school. A Scantron doesn’t make the test more challenging. It makes it frustrating. I guess there could be a time issue of having to fill out the little circle with your number 2 pencil as opposed to typing the letter B on a keyboard. The first 30 minutes of the test process is the proctor going over the instructions and filling in your information on the Scantron sheet. It’s tedious and probably nerve-racking for people who are anxious about the test. A little more preparation by the LSAC and/or putting the test online could cut that down under 10 minutes.
I envision the people working at LSAC and law school admissions thinking the Scantron paper test has an old school charm. That it’s a quaint and deliberate hurdle of getting into law school. Stop. Online testing can be effective and efficient. With an online test the written section could be typed on a real keyboard. Just like real life.
The formality and security of the LSAT wasn’t as rigorous as I had expected. 6 months ago I took a professional certification test at a Pearson VUE testing center, the security there was much more intense. In order to enter the room for the certification test I had to digitally sign, have my photo taken, my fingerprint scanned and show that my pockets were empty. It was one step way from a full body pat down. The LSAT process was more laid back.
As for the physical rigors of the test, it’s not bad for a 4.5-hour exam. It’s 6 35-min sections. There is a brief “pencils down” break between each 35-minute section and a 15-minute break halfway though the exam. Of course the test is challenging, but you get forced breaks to collect yourself and breath.
My Preparation
I took a LSAT prep class. I read blogs and articles about the test. I listened to the Thinking LSAT podcast. I did all of this because I wanted an idea of what I was getting into. I wanted to give the test its respect. It was all beneficial. There was one time management suggestion that I found extremely useful. You’re allowed to wear a basic analog watch for the test. I bought an $8 watch at Walmart and used it for this tip – at the start of the section, set the watch to 12 o’clock and then reset it before every section. That gives you a consistent monitor of your 35 minute time limit.
Dipping my toes in the law school waters
I never had an interest in law as I came through high school and college, but school was a long time ago. I am intrigued by the academic and mental challenge of using environmental law to solve environmental problems. And I wanted to know if there was something inside me that would bite onto the law profession at this stage of my career. I spoke with friends and acquaintances who work in the profession. Through this process I looked for but still didn’t find a passion for law. I guess I still believe in something, as opposed to Jimbo. (See the Simpsons meme at the top.)
Have you taken the LSAT? How does this compare to your experience? If you’re planning to take the test, I hope this gives you some insight.