Is the LSAT harder now than it used to be?

Asked by: Lucie Feil  |  Last update: September 30, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (75 votes)

Will these changes make the LSAT harder or easier? Some students really like the Logic Games, and some students do not. Research indicates that the revised approach will have virtually no impact on overall scores.

Has the LSAT gotten harder over time?

No. The LSAT changes for each session that it is offered. While it may change in difficulty, that does not affect a student's ability to get a high mark.

Are more recent LSAT tests harder?

Demon teacher Logan joins Nathan to discuss L's question: Are recent practice tests harder than older ones? Short answer: No. The only difference across practice tests over time is that early Logic Games are harder, so if anything, the LSAT has gotten easier. Don't worry about subtle changes based on a few data points.

Is the LSAT harder now without Logic Games?

Will this make the test easier? Or harder?! According to LSAC, no. In the part of the announcement that was so-clearly written to placate law schools, LSAC claims that its research shows that substituting a second Logical Reasoning section for the Logic Games section doesn't meaningfully impact scoring.

Was August 2024 LSAT harder?

Because this was the first test without an Analytical Reasoning section, we know people will be wondering whether there was any impact on scores. The short answer is no — scores for the August 2024 LSAT are very much in line with August scores in recent years.

Will The New LSAT Be Harder In 2024?

34 related questions found

How rare is a 170 LSAT?

170 score: Scoring a 170 on the LSAT is almost always considered a good score — that means you are in the 2-3% of test-takers.

Which LSAT month is the hardest?

There isn't one specific month that is the easiest or hardest to write the LSAT, and if there was, it would change each year since the students writing the LSAT change each year! The hardest test will be the one you haven't fully prepared for, regardless of the month!

Is the LSAT becoming less important?

In November 2022, the American Bar Association voted to eliminate the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) requirement for law schools, effective 2025.

Why is the LSAT getting rid of analytical reasoning?

The Law School Admission Council, which develops and administers the LSAT, is eliminating logic games from the exam in August following a 2019 settlement with two blind LSAT takers who claimed the analytical reasoning section of the test—the official name for logic games—violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.

What is a good LSAT score without studying?

You can expect to score between 145 and 153 when taking the LSAT without studying. This would generally fall within the 26th to 53rd percentile. Your individual score will vary depending on your familiarity with aptitude, logical, and reading comprehension tests.

Do LSAT questions get progressively harder?

10: The LSAT becomes progressively harder throughout the test, so focus your concentration at an even higher level for the last few questions of each section.

Is the LSAT being phased out?

The ABA's House of Delegates will vote on the Council's proposed change in February 2023. If the House votes to nix Standard 503, the standardized-test requirement won't go away until 2025. So, the LSAT isn't definitely going away, and it's definitely not going away until 2025.

Is there a downside to take the LSAT multiple times?

Still, there are downsides to retaking the test, like lost time and the risk of a lower score that could make your highest score look like a fluke. Here are six questions to ask yourself when deciding whether to retake the LSAT: How did your score compare to your average practice test scores?

How hard is it to get a 172 on the LSAT?

So, a great score on the LSAT is a 172, but more than 100,000 people take the LSAT every year and only 1% score 172 or higher. For the top 50 law schools, the median LSAT score is between 164 and 174. A good LSAT score for top tier(defined by T14 schools for this article) law schools is between 171 and 174.

How many hours do most people study for the LSAT?

Average Recommended Study Time

Most LSAT experts recommend around 3 months of full times study, or around 150 to 300 hours; this breaks down to approximately 12 to 25 hours a week of studying every week. This is the study plan that suits most people and is the most customizable depending on your individual obligations.

Why am I getting worse on the LSAT?

Consider the circumstances surrounding the lower test score: were you ill, tired, stressed, or otherwise distracted? The LSAT demands a high degree of focus, so if you're not mentally sharp, your performance can suffer. Essentially, life happens, and you're not always able to take the LSAT under ideal conditions.

What is the most common flaw on the LSAT?

Confusing sufficient and necessary conditions is hands-down the most common flaw on the LSAT. It's also the flaw that tends to trip up novices the most. But understanding the difference between sufficient and necessary is a lot simpler than you might think.

What LSAT score do I need for Harvard?

So let's take a look at what it actually takes to have a chance of being admitted to the most prestigious and preeminent law school in the world. As you can see from these numbers, an LSAT score of 170 or higher and a GPA above 3.75 will give you a chance of gaining admission to Harvard Law School.

Is the new LSAT harder?

Will these changes make the LSAT harder or easier? Some students really like the Logic Games, and some students do not. Research indicates that the revised approach will have virtually no impact on overall scores.

What was Obama's LSAT score?

The easiest to predict, by far, is Barack Obama's score, mostly because we have some data. Based on admissions records, we can deduce — somewhat reliably — that Barry-O scored between the 94th and 98th percentile on his LSAT. Using today's grading system, that would place him somewhere around a 170.

Do law schools still average LSAT scores?

In accordance with the American Bar Association and LSAC policies, we place the most importance on the highest LSAT score and report the highest score (we do not average). Any large differences between LSAT scores should be explained in an addendum (uploaded through the LSAC electronic application).

Do you have to be smart to do well on the LSAT?

It is a mistake to assume that you will do well on the LSAT because you are bright and know a lot. The LSAT measures formal logic not general knowledge or practical experience. You cannot rely on your accumulated knowledge (or background information or life experience or common sense) to answer LSAT questions.

What is the hardest portion of the LSAT?

Analytical Reasoning

You'll need various skills to do well here. You'll have to figure out relationships between complex concepts and apply logic even when things seem unclear. The situations presented can be ambiguous and complex, making this section notorious among LSAT takers.

Can I get a 170 on the LSAT in 2 months?

A 170 will be difficult to obtain. It will require quality resources and substantial preparation. You should dedicate at least four months to reach this target. For the best LSAT support, consider teaming up with a 99th percentile tutor who can help you increase your score by 12 points!

What law school is the hardest?

The 12 Hardest Law Schools to Get Into
  1. Yale University. With an acceptance rate of just 6.9%, it's no wonder that Yale is the hardest law school to get into. ...
  2. Stanford University. ...
  3. Harvard University. ...
  4. University of Pennsylvania. ...
  5. University of Virginia. ...
  6. Columbia University. ...
  7. University of Chicago. ...
  8. University of Southern California.