JMU - JMU Pre-Law LSAT preparation
LSAT Information
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is currently offered four times each year usually in early October, early December, mid February and mid June. The specific testing dates and the cost for the current year LSAT exam can be found at Law Services Admissions Council .
The LSAT is a three and one-half hour test, given in four parts: 2 logical reasoning, 1 reading comprehension, and 1 analytical reasoning. Scores range between 120 and 180.
Breakdown of most recent scores:
- 107,622 students took the test
- 0.1% scored 177-180 (i.e., 107 students)
- 1.6% scored 170-180 (i.e., 1,722 students)
- 10% scored 163-180 (i.e., 10,762 students)
The LSAT exam score and academic record earned by each applicant are clearly the main criteria for law school admission and for that reason, the LSAT should not be taken lightly. Applicants should be adequately prepared for the exam. Plan to prepare and take the LSAT once; while it is possible to retake the LSAT if you feel your score does not represent your abilities and that you can improve it, many schools will average scores from multiple tests rather than taking the highest score.
Prep courses are fairly expensive ($600-$900 for a live course), however they appear more reasonable when you spread these costs over your lifetime earnings as an attorney. If you can earn 5-8 more points on the LSAT it may have a huge effect on the law school you will be accepted at. The school you attend will likely have a big effect on your starting salary upon graduation.
When should I take the LSAT?
Since law schools have a rolling admission acceptance policy, it is to your benefit to get your application in as soon as law schools start accepting them (usually around October 1st for fall applicants and May 15th for spring applicants). Therefore, taking the LSAT exam before your senior year (the June following your junior year) or as early into your senior year as possible is preferable.
However, because law schools average LSAT scores, it is important to be as prepared as possible the first time you take the exam. Do not choose an earlier test date if you are not prepared. You should take the LSAT exam the calendar year before you plan to start law school. If you plan to begin Fall Fall 2011, you should take the June or October 2011 administration of the LSAT.
Scores from the December test will reach law schools before their deadlines. Taking the test no later than October will ensure that you receive your score before you apply early (in November) to schools that have rolling admissions.
LSAT Preparation
Information about graduate school admissions and their rankings; financial aid information; career advice; and descriptions of Princeton Review's standardized test preparation materials (including, the LSAT).
Information about Kaplan's standardized test preparation materials (including, the LSAT and sample test questions) with material about law school admissions and financial aid.
A full video program for home LSAT review.
The Internet Legal Resource Guide
Here you can find links to commercial courses, an online workbook and other materials such as past LSAT tests.
LSAT Prep Workshops
The JMU Office of Outreach and Engagement is sponsoring a free LSAT prep information workshop:
Strategies for Success on the LSAT
Tuesday, April 9 2013, 6:00-7:30pm
Taylor 306
For more information and to register for the workshop,
http://www.jmu.edu/outreach/JMUTestPrep.shtml
LSAT Prep Course
May 7 – June 4, 2013
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:00pm-9:20pm
Festival Conference Room #8
*Tuesday, May 21st will meet in Conference Room #7 (next door)
$899/per person
Register here
