Ah yes, where it all begins. The LSAT stands for the Law School Admission Test, the SAT/ACT of law school admissions. This standardized test used to gauge law school applicants is administered by the Law School Admission Council.
I will start by explaining the difference between the LSAT as it is currently administered and the LSAT Flex. To be clear, the last LSAT Flex was administered in June 2021, so it is no more. Since the LSAT Flex is still so widely discussed online, the differences between the two exams are worth a brief discussion. The LSAT Flex was first administered in May 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Prior to the Flex, examinees took the LSAT in person. The LSAT Flex was proctored using an online live proctor as well as AI technology to catch cheating and other prohibited activity. The LSAT Flex had three scored sections: the Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension and Analytical Reasoning section (AKA the “Logical Games”). Each section was 35 minutes long and made up ~33% of your total score.
Since August 2021, LSAC returned to what is now considered the “regular LSAT.” Not to worry, the current version does not differ significantly from the Flex. The exam has the same three graded sections discussed above (Reading Comprehension, Logical Games and Logical Reasoning). Now, however, there is a fourth unscored experimental section. The experimental section tests out the difficulty of various questions for future LSATs. This section could be a repeat of any of the aforementioned graded sections. You will never get a score back on the experimental section and you will not know which section will be experimental before test day. For example, you may have two Reading Comprehension sections on your exam. You will be able to deduce that one of the Reading Comprehension sections does not count but you will not know which one was experimental until LSAC releases that information. The sections could also appear in any order. Because of the additional experimental section, LSAC baked in a short ten-minute break between the second and third sections. Like the Flex, you can choose when you take the exam on test day. Calling night owls everywhere! Make sure to register early so you can get the slot that will help you do your best.
In 2022, the LSAT will be administered in January, February, March, April, June, August, September, October and November. Here is a link to LSAC’s website with useful FAQs. Hope this helps! https://www.lsac.org/lsat/frequently-asked-questions-about-lsat
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