Old LSAT PrepTests vs. the New LSAT PrepTests in 2024

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Kristin Fracchia

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student wondering about differences between old LSAT preptests and new LSAT preptestsHey, future law students! Big news if you haven’t heard yet: the LSAT is getting a makeover starting August 2024. That means the PrepTests, those all-important practice tests, are also changing. Let’s dive into what’s different about the old PrepTests versus the new PrepTests and how those changes might affect your prep.

The “New” Look of the New PrepTests

Though there are “new” PrepTests, they’re ultimately reorganized versions of the original PrepTests. The Reading Comprehension section and two Logical Reasoning sections of an existing PrepTest (for example, PrepTest 74) comprise the scored sections of a new test (in this case, PrepTest 142). Then, for the unscored section, another old test’s Reading Comprehension or Logical Reasoning section is included (in this example, an LR section from PrepTest 61). Check out this mapping guide for all the details.

Fun fact: Some old PrepTests now only exist as unscored sections in the new tests. This includes many old tests (such as those in the low 20’s, 30’s and 40’s) but even some of the more recent tests, such as PrepTest 91 and 92.

More Scored Questions to Tackle

The new PrepTests most commonly have 77 or 78 scored questions, which is a slight bump up from the usual 75 or 76. And more questions mean you’ll need to get more right to reach the same scaled score you might have been aiming for on the older tests. It’s a small change but something to keep in mind as you plan your study sessions.

You Might See Three Logical Reasoning Sections on Test Day

With the updated test format already including two scored sections of Logical Reasoning, you might end up facing a third one in the unscored section. Or you could, of course, get an extra Reading Comprehension section as the unscored section. But based on the new PrepTests, the trend leans towards more Logical Reasoning—38 new PrepTests have three LR sections compared to 20 with two RC sections. While it’s not a guarantee, you definitely need to brace yourself for the possibility of an even heavier dose of Logical Reasoning on test day.

Wrapping Up

So there you have it—the scoop on the new LSAT PrepTests. With more questions and possibly an extra, extra helping of Logical Reasoning, your prep might need a slight tweak. But don’t sweat it; knowing what’s coming is half the battle. Keep this info in mind as you gear up for the test, and you’ll be in great shape for the August 2024 LSAT. Happy studying!

Author

  • Kristin Fracchia

    Dr. Kristin Fracchia has over fifteen years of expertise in college and graduate school admissions and with a variety of standardized tests, including the ACT, SAT, GRE, GMAT, and LSAT, with several 99% scores. She had a PhD from the University of California, Irvine, an MA degree from The Catholic University, and BA degrees in Secondary Education and English Literature from the University of Maryland, College Park. She was the recipient of the 2013 Excellence in Teaching Award and the Chancellor’s Club Fellowship from the University of California, Irvine. She’s worked as a high school teacher and university professor, as an independent college and graduate school admissions counselor, and as an expert tutor for standardized tests, helping hundreds of students gain acceptance into premier national and international institutions. She now develops accessible and effective edtech products for Magoosh. Her free online content and YouTube videos providing test prep and college admissions advice have received over 6 million views in over 125 countries. Kristin is an advocate for improving access to education: you can check out her TEDx talk on the topic. Follow Kristin on LinkedIn!

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