So, you’re starting to think about law school and start your journey toward becoming a lawyer. It may be a distant dream years down the line, or you might be planning to apply this cycle or the next. You may be wondering, is it too early to get started? Chances are you also heard about an often-dreaded thing called the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). What even is on the LSAT? Can anyone take the LSAT?
We break down who can take the LSAT, what you should be thinking about before taking it and applying to law school, as well as what qualities can help set you up for success on both!
Who Can Take the LSAT?
Short answer: Anyone can take the LSAT! The LSAT is designed to assess the skills necessary for success in law school. There are no prerequisites or specific educational backgrounds required to take the exam. Whether you are a current college student, a recent graduate, or a professional considering a career change, you are eligible to take the LSAT.
- College Students and Graduates: Most test takers are either in their final years of undergraduate study or recently graduated. There is no specific major required. So, students from any academic background can take the LSAT.
- Non-Traditional Students: If you are considering law school later in life or as a second career, the LSAT is open to you as well. In fact, being a non-trad law school applicant can be an advantage in the admissions process.
- International Applicants: The LSAT is not limited to U.S. citizens or residents. International students interested in attending law school in the United States or Canada to receive a J.D. degree can also take the LSAT.
Further Reading
What Do I Need To Have Done in College Before Taking the LSAT?
Nothing. That’s right. Unlike the MCAT or GRE, the LSAT is not a content-forward exam. So, there are no classes that you “need” to take to perform well.
In fact, you don’t even need to know exactly when you’re applying to law school or what a good LSAT score is.
When Can I Take the LSAT?
Now, just because anyone can take the LSAT, that doesn’t mean you should. For example, college freshmen might be able to take the LSAT, but they probably wouldn’t want to. If you take the LSAT years before you’re planning on applying to law school, you run the risk of letting your LSAT score expire.
Your LSAT score is valid for five years from your test date. So, it can be worth getting an LSAT prep course and taking the Law School Admission Test even if you are unsure if and when exactly you may apply to law school. Just be sure not to take it too early.
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If Anyone Can Take the LSAT, What Do I Need To Know?
Although the LSAT test does not require specific content or skills training, here are some qualities and LSAT tips that successful Blueprint students and instructors alike tend to emphasize.
Understanding Arguments
We can all spot a deeply flawed argument when we see it “out in the wild”. The LSAT hones in on that concept in Logical Reasoning, testing your ability to identify how good arguments are being advanced and supported, and, more importantly, how bad arguments are flawed and could be made stronger (or weaker).
Test takers with backgrounds in Philosophy and debate might find this type of thinking more intuitive at first. However, the good news is that it is very learnable!
Identifying an Author’s Goals and Attitudes
Perhaps the most familiar feeling section of the LSAT is Reading Comprehension. More than fast reading or a dictionary-level understanding of advanced vocabulary, the LSAT rewards those test-takers who can spot the writer’s tone, purpose, and how they bolster the argument paragraph-by-paragraph.
To supplement their studying, test-takers may find it useful to look for these qualities in whatever they’re reading, be it literature, biology, or the news.
What Else Do I Need to Apply to Law School?
So, LSAT? Check. Law schools also have an application package with various components. These include, but are not limited to:
- A Personal Statement
- Letters of Recommendation
- Supplemental Essays
- Your Undergraduate Transcript
- Law School Resume
Make sure you review the law school requirements to ensure you’re eligible to apply to law school. Then, check out our step-by-step breakdown on how to apply to law school.
Final Thoughts
So, can anyone take the LSAT? Absolutely. With no specific prerequisites or required classes, the LSAT is accessible to anyone interested in pursuing a law degree. Whether you’re certain about law school or still deciding, taking the LSAT is a step you can take to keep your options open.
Blueprint LSAT will be right by your side to help you perform at your LSAT best. Whether you want the flexibility of a Self-Paced Course or prefer to navigate the LSAT with instructors in a Live Course, 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!
