As I’m sure you’ve heard, the LSAT without Logic Games (aka the Analytical Reasoning Section) was administered this weekend for the first time since 1982. And so begins a new chapter in LSAT history! Blueprint LSAT is here to recap the August LSAT, walk you through what we know so far, and discuss how that informs your next steps.
Whether you’re a seasoned LSAT test-taker or just beginning your LSAT prep, understanding the initial response to the August LSAT can help you approach your study plan with confidence.
First, Some Background
The Logic Games Section appeared on every LSAT administered for the last 42 years. Since the test’s most recent evolution in 2020, it has constituted approximately one-third of a test-taker’s scaled LSAT score.
In the wake of a lawsuit, LSAC agreed to modify this section of the test in 2019. However, after years of trial and error, they announced the removal of the Logic Games Section altogether in 2023. The June 2024 LSAT would be the last to feature Logic Games. The August 2024 LSAT would be the first exam in its new format: two scored Logical Reasoning Sections, one scored Reading Comprehension Section, and a fourth, unscored variable section, and a new LSAT Writing Section (LSAT Argumentative Writing).
In the months leading up to the August 2024 LSAT, students and teachers alike speculated about how changes to the test’s format would affect the test’s difficulty and student outcomes: What would the new LSAT’s scoring scale look like? Would score distributions stay the same? Would the test-makers introduce new kinds of Logical Reasoning questions?
Well, we’ve got some answers. We talked to test-takers and trawled through the post-exam reports circulating online. We’re here to walk you through what we know so far.
2024 August LSAT Recap
Now, onto the juicy stuff! A couple of things to keep in mind before proceeding: every test-taker’s experience is unique, and there is not one singular “August LSAT.” Instead, there are at least two or three versions of the August LSAT.
To protect the test’s integrity over a testing weekend lasting four entire days, different test-takers receive and complete different exams. So, we’re bound to receive varied (sometimes contradictory) feedback from those test-takers about the LSAT’s difficulty and appearance.
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Don’t Overhaul Your LSAT Prep Just Yet
The majority of the feedback we’ve received so far is good. Largely speaking, the 2024 August LSAT looked exactly like it has always looked. The Reading Comprehension and Logical Reasoning sections are as we expected.
In Reading Comprehension, test-takers saw four passages: one set of comparative passages, and three normal passages, each featuring a central viewpoint.
In Logical Reasoning, most of the questions involved analyzing flawed arguments and selecting answers that produced the right effects on the arguments. There were no unusual changes made either to the test’s content or its difficulty.
Now, that’s not to say that this test was easy—the LSAT is many things, but easy isn’t one of them. However, this should put to rest any major concerns surrounding changes to the LSAT’s content.
Bottom line: You can trust the preparation you’ve put into this test, even if you began studying for the LSAT before these alterations.
Some test-takers did report seeing a slightly higher frequency of Logical Reasoning questions involving quantification and conditional logic. Additionally, rumors have circulated of a single “Logic Games-like” question in one of the Logical Reasoning sections.
While these things may be indicative of future changes to the test, it’s important to note that the overall frequency of questions like this is low (around one question per section). This is still nothing fundamentally new. Many exams historically have involved some degree of conditional reasoning and quantification!
Further Reading
Finally, Where Do We Go From Here?
To those of you who took the August LSAT, Blueprint extends our sincere congratulations. If this is your first time taking the test and you haven’t yet completed your writing sample yet, remember that it must be completed ASAP. Any delays in processing your writing sample could mean that you will not receive your score on August 28th, so this should be your #1 priority!
And if, on score release day, you’re wondering whether to cancel, we’ve got your back.
For those of you continuing to study for LSAT dates this fall & beyond, your focus remains the same: Follow a well-rounded LSAT study plan that includes a mix of practice tests, targeted review, and strategic drills to bolster your performance.
Blueprint LSAT students have everything they need to reach their goal score. Whether you want the flexibility of a Self-Paced Course or prefer to navigate the LSAT with instructors in a Live Course or private tutoring, we have the study method that fits your learning style.
Start today by creating a Blueprint LSAT account to access tons of free LSAT prep resources!
Additionally, maintaining a positive mindset is crucial: confidence can significantly impact how you perceive and handle test challenges.
Good luck and have fun, future lawyers—you’ve got this!
