Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)
The LSAT is a standardized test administered approximately ten times each year. All American Bar Association-approved law schools require applicants to take either the LSAT or the GRE as part of their admission process. Most applicants take the LSAT rather than the GRE. Law schools admit a very small percentage of students with the GRE.
LSAC
LSAC serves as a clearinghouse for law school applications and provides comprehensive information on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and applying to law school. The website offers free test prep and a free course through Khan Academy.
Fee Waiver
If you meet certain criteria, you may qualify for an LSAC fee waiver. If you think you may qualify, it is best to apply for the waiver before you start studying for the LSAT. If you are denied, you should try to appeal. Many applicants who are initially denied a waiver are approved upon appeal. In addition to the benefits offered by LSAC, those with a fee waiver are often eligible for application waivers when applying to law schools, as well as discounted LSAT prep from companies such as 7Sage, LSAT Demon, LSATMax, Blueprint, LSAT Wizard, LSAT Lab, and Magoosh.
Timeline
Allow at least three months to prepare for the LSAT. It is recommended that you spend between 180 and 200 hours total to prepare for the test. You can prepare either on your own or by taking a class (either online or in-person). You should take many practice exams. Take the LSAT or GRE at least one year before you plan to start law school, and pick the test date that will allow you the most time to prepare for the exam. Check with your CIL adviser about the latest changes to the testing requirements.
Blueprint
UChicago partners with Blueprint to provide discounted access to Blueprint’s LSAT prep courses. Find out more about Blueprint’s approach to LSAT preparation here and reach out to Priya Laroia at plaroia@uchicago.edu for the current discount and instructions on how to register for a course at the discounted rate.