LSAT Test: Writing Sample

The writing sample, which is always administered at the end of the test, is 50 minutes long. Test takers are presented with a debatable issue along with different perspectives that provide additional context. Each of these perspectives is conveyed in a few sentences and is representative of a system of beliefs or values. Together, the perspectives illustrate competing ideologies and arguments around a particular issue.

The test taker drafts an argumentative essay in which they take a position, while addressing some of the arguments and ideas presented by the other perspectives.Since the questions are designed to make test takers analyze the various perspectives, outside of the 35 minutes given for essay writing, test takers also have 15 minutes for pre-writing analysis, for a total of 50 minutes.

No particular essay structure is required, but there are preferred formats. No score is assigned to the writing sample, but as the writing sample is your application cover sheet as submitted by LSAC, it is essential to write a well-planned, cohesive essay.

This section tests:

• Organization
• Argumentative Skills
• Argument Analysis
• English/Grammar Usage