Hey, 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!
Leave a Reply