The LSAT Argumentative Writing section is a required part of the LSAT that asks you to craft an argument about a debatable topic in 50 minutes. While currently unscored, your LSAT scores cannot be released to law schools without a completed writing sample on file. Here is everything you need to know about LSAT argumentative writing — from format to strategy.
The LSAT Argumentative Writing section replaced the old writing sample with a fundamentally different task. Instead of choosing between two options and justifying your choice, you now receive a debatable real-world issue with three or four competing perspectives. Your job is to build your own argument — develop a thesis, support it with reasoning and evidence from the provided excerpts, and address counterarguments.
The section is administered remotely through LSAC's LawHub platform. It is taken on-demand, meaning you complete it on your own schedule — not on LSAT test day. The writing section opens 8 days before your scheduled LSAT date and remains available for up to one year after registration.
| Feature | Old Writing Sample (pre-2024) | New Argumentative Writing |
|---|---|---|
| Task | Choose between two options and justify | Build your own argument about a debatable issue |
| Perspectives provided | Two options with criteria | Multiple viewpoints on a real-world issue |
| Creativity | Limited — argue for given options | High — develop your own thesis |
| Timing | 35 minutes | 50 minutes (15 planning + 35 writing) |
| Administration | Part of test day (in-person) | Remote, on-demand via LawHub |
| Scoring | Unscored | Unscored (LSAC plans future scoring) |
The first phase gives you 15 minutes to read the prompt, analyze the provided perspectives, and plan your argument. You will see a debatable issue along with guided questions to help structure your thinking. You can advance to the writing phase after a minimum of 5 minutes if you feel ready, though using the full 15 minutes for planning is recommended.
The second phase gives you 35 minutes to write your essay. This phase starts immediately after the planning phase — there is no pause or break between them. You must complete all 50 minutes in a single sitting. The platform provides a basic text editor for typing your response.
| Phase | Time | Task | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Planning | 15 minutes | Read prompt, analyze perspectives, outline argument | Use guided questions to structure your thinking; can advance after 5 min |
| Phase 2: Writing | 35 minutes | Write a complete argumentative essay | State thesis early, use specific examples, address counterarguments |
| Total | 50 minutes | Complete in one sitting | Complete promptly after LSAT to avoid score delays |
The LSAT Argumentative Writing section is unscored for the 2025-2026 testing cycle, but completion is mandatory. Your LSAT score cannot be released to law schools without a completed and approved writing sample on file. Beyond the completion requirement, many law schools do review writing samples as part of their admissions process.
How much the writing sample factors into admissions decisions varies significantly among schools. Some read every applicant's essay thoroughly. Others use it as a tiebreaker when choosing between candidates with similar LSAT scores and GPAs. Still others review it to better understand applicants with unusual profiles — a lower GPA, a significant time gap between undergraduate and law school, or an outlier LSAT score.
Importantly, admissions officers are more concerned with the coherence of your argument and the fluency of your prose than the precision of your proofreading. Write clearly and logically, like a lawyer would.
| Usage Level | Description | Estimated Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Read every sample | Part of routine application review | Some schools |
| Tiebreaker | Used when choosing between similar candidates | Common |
| Context for gaps | Reviews sample for applicants with unusual profiles | Common |
| Minimal review | Primarily checks completion, not quality | Some schools |
| Not reviewed | Only verifies sample is on file | Rare |
State your thesis clearly in the first paragraph. Do not hedge or waffle — take a definitive position on the issue. Your thesis should be specific enough that someone reading only your first paragraph would understand your argument. Admissions officers want to see that you can stake out a position and defend it.
Connect your examples and reasoning to your thesis with clear logical explanations. Do not just list evidence — explain how each piece of evidence supports your position. Use the perspectives provided in the prompt as a starting point, but develop your own reasoning beyond what is given.
Acknowledge the strongest counterargument to your position and explain why your position is still correct despite it. This demonstrates the kind of balanced analytical thinking that law schools value. A common structure: "While opponents argue that X, this position fails because Y, and the evidence for Z is more compelling."
Prompt: Should cities prioritize public transportation over highway expansion?
This structure demonstrates clear reasoning, specific support, and engagement with opposing views.
The most common mistake is not using the 15-minute planning phase effectively. Students who skip planning and start writing immediately often produce disorganized essays. Use the full planning phase to outline your thesis, identify your key supporting points, and plan how you will address a counterargument. A well-planned essay written in 35 minutes will always beat an unplanned essay written in 50.
Another common mistake is writing an essay that lacks a clear thesis or fails to address counterarguments. Admissions officers can spot an essay that meanders without a central argument. Every paragraph should connect back to your thesis. Write plainly and directly — this is not the place for flowery language or impressive vocabulary. Clear, logical prose is what law schools want to see.
Practice writing argumentative essays on debatable topics under the 50-minute time constraint. Choose topics from current events, policy debates, or ethical dilemmas. Follow the two-phase structure: 15 minutes planning, 35 minutes writing. After each practice essay, review your work for thesis clarity, evidence quality, and counterargument engagement.
The writing section opens 8 days before your LSAT date. Complete it promptly — ideally within two weeks of your multiple-choice test. Delaying the writing section delays your score release, which can impact your law school application timeline. Make sure your computer meets LawHub's technical requirements before your scheduled session.