One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is, "How hard is the LSAT?" Most students have heard the test is difficult, but unless they've taken an LSAT already, they don't have a good idea of whether the test really is hard, or whether it's just like any other college test. Let's take a look at some numbers and see what the real story is here. LSAT Scoring Scale First, we have to understand the scores that are produced by the test, because those scores help us measure difficulty. Our LSAT Scoring Scale discussion explains how the 120 to 180 scoring scale works. The key discussion … [Read more...]
The LSAT Scoring Scale and Your Percentile
Let me preface this post with an explanation of my intent. I think when almost everyone approaches their LSAT administration there are moments when scores occasionally plateau, and performance feels stagnant. As a result, and understandably, motivation can quickly vanish. This is apparent in the mid-ranges as students creep their way through the 140s and 150s, grinding for every point. People starting out and generally scoring lower find that every day brings new revelations and scores improve quickly. Whereas, test-takers in the upper ranges (160s and beyond) are naturally motivated by the … [Read more...]
LSAT Test Archives: The September 2017 LSAT Scoring Scale Analyzed
The scores from the September 2017 LSAT have been released and we have the scoring scale in hand. We’ve already done a breakdown of the Logical Reasoning sections from this test. I wanted to take a moment to analyze the scoring scale and what it tells us about the logical difficulty of this exam. As my colleague Dave Killoran has written elsewhere, each LSAT scoring scale is adjusted to fit the difficulty of that particular test."Although the number of questions per test has remained relatively constant over the years, the logical difficulty of each test has varied. This is not surprising … [Read more...]
LSAT Test Archives: The June 2017 LSAT Scoring Scale Analyzed
The scores from the June 2017 LSAT have just been released, and the scoring scale is hot off the presses. We'll have some section-specific discussions in the days ahead, but in the meantime I wanted to take a moment to analyze the scoring scale and what it tells us about the logical difficulty of this exam. As my colleague Dave Killoran has written elsewhere, each LSAT scoring scale is adjusted to fit the difficulty of that particular test: "Although the number of questions per test has remained relatively constant over the years, the logical difficulty of each test has varied. This is not … [Read more...]
LSAT Scoring Scales: Facts and Figures
In the days following each LSAT, students often worry about how their LSAT will be scaled. A more generous scoring scale can positively affect scores whereas a harsher curve can adversely affect scores. For those of you considering your possible test scaling, let’s examine a few historical facts about LSAT scoring scales, and then examine some recent trends in scoring.Here are a few facts about LSAT tests and scoring scales:Average number of questions per LSAT:100.71Greatest number of questions on an LSAT:102 This occurred only once prior to the October 2010 LSAT, on the October … [Read more...]
Which LSAT Has the Toughest Curve?
"Everyone and their mother takes the test in September," a student recently told me. "I think I'm gonna sit that one out." Why, I asked? Is it all the mothers? He looked confused. No, his mother wasn't actually taking the test with him (duh!), but the September administration is so popular that he was afraid the curve would be much tougher. That, and all the test-centers in New York were already booked up, so he'd have to drive up to Connecticut (Canada?), and you don't do that unless you have a pony or have a morbid curiosity about poutine.Fine, I said. All valid points, except for one: … [Read more...]