LSAT Sections Breakdown: What Every Section Tests and How to Prepare
The LSAT consists of four 35-minute multiple-choice sections plus a separately administered writing task. Two Logical Reasoning sections and one Reading Comprehension section are scored, while a fourth experimental section goes unscored. Understanding exactly what each LSAT section tests — and how heavily it weighs in your final score — is the first step toward building an effective study plan.
Test Ninjas Research · Updated March 24, 2026 · 8 min read
01
LSAT Format Overview
The LSAT is built from four 35-minute multiple-choice sections plus a separately administered writing task. Three of the multiple-choice sections are scored — two Logical Reasoning sections and one Reading Comprehension section — while a fourth experimental section goes unscored. Since the August 2024 change, the retired Analytical Reasoning (Logic Games) section has been replaced by a second Logical Reasoning section.
The LSAT's scored sections determine your 120-180 score. Logical Reasoning accounts for roughly half.
Section
Questions
Time
Scored
Weight
Logical Reasoning I
24–26
35 min
Yes
~25% of score
Logical Reasoning II
24–26
35 min
Yes
~25% of score
Reading Comprehension
26–28
35 min
Yes
~50% of score
Experimental
Varies
35 min
No
0%
Argumentative Writing
1 essay
50 min
Not scored
Sent to schools
Your scored performance is converted to a scaled score ranging from 120 to 180. To translate a raw number-correct total into that scaled range, try our LSAT score calculator.
Key takeaway: The LSAT has three scored sections (two Logical Reasoning, one Reading Comprehension), one unscored experimental section, and a separately administered Argumentative Writing task. Logical Reasoning alone accounts for roughly half your score.
There are two scored Logical Reasoning sections of 24–26 questions each. Every question presents a short argument passage of roughly 2–5 sentences, followed by a prompt asking you to analyze, evaluate, or complete the reasoning. Because there are two LR sections, Logical Reasoning accounts for roughly half of your total scored questions — making it the highest-value area to master.
Common LR Question Types
Logical Reasoning draws on more than eight recurring question types, including strengthen, weaken, assumption, and flaw questions. The table below lists the main types you will encounter, ordered by frequency:
The main Logical Reasoning question types you will encounter on the LSAT, ordered by frequency.
Question Type
What It Asks
Frequency
Difficulty
Strengthen/Weaken
Add evidence to support or undermine an argument
Very common
Medium
Assumption (Sufficient/Necessary)
Identify what the argument takes for granted
Very common
Medium-Hard
Flaw in Reasoning
Identify the logical error in an argument
Common
Medium
Must Be True / Inference
Determine what logically follows from the premises
Common
Medium-Hard
Method of Reasoning
Describe the argumentative technique used
Moderate
Medium
Parallel Reasoning
Find an argument with the same logical structure
Less common
Hard
Point at Issue
Identify where two speakers disagree
Less common
Medium
Resolve the Paradox
Explain an apparent contradiction
Less common
Medium
Worked Example
A newspaper editorial argues: "Since the city installed speed cameras on Main Street, the number of speeding tickets has decreased by 40%. Therefore, the speed cameras have made Main Street safer for pedestrians."
Identify the conclusion: Speed cameras made Main Street safer.
Identify the evidence: Speeding tickets decreased by 40%.
Find the gap: Fewer tickets does not necessarily mean fewer speeders or greater safety — drivers may have simply learned the camera locations.
This is a classic assumption question: the argument assumes that reduced tickets equals reduced speeding and improved safety.
Result: The correct answer would point out that the argument fails to consider alternative explanations for the decrease in tickets.
Reading Comprehension is a single scored section of 26–28 questions built around four passages, including one comparative set of two shorter related passages. Passages run roughly 500 words each and are drawn from law, the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences. Because it is the sole scored RC section, it carries roughly half your scored-question weight.
Questions test your ability to identify main ideas, locate specific details, draw inferences, understand passage structure, recognize the author's tone and purpose, and — in the comparative set — compare the relationship between two texts.
04
The Unscored Experimental Section
One of the four multiple-choice sections is an unscored experimental section that takes the form of either Logical Reasoning or Reading Comprehension. LSAC uses it to field-test new questions for future exams, gathering difficulty and performance data before those questions ever count toward a real score.
The experimental section is deliberately indistinguishable from the scored sections — identical in format, length, and apparent difficulty. You will not be told which section it is.
Remember: You cannot identify which section is experimental during the test. LSAC makes it look identical to scored sections on purpose. Treat every section as if it counts.
05
Argumentative Writing Section
The Argumentative Writing section is a 50-minute essay task administered separately online rather than on test day. It becomes available in your LSAC account roughly 8 days before your test date, and you can complete it before or after you sit for the multiple-choice sections.
The task asks you to take a position on a debatable issue and defend it with reasoned argument. It is not scored numerically and does not affect your 120-180 score, but a copy is sent to every law school you apply to, where it may be reviewed as a sample of your unedited analytical writing. Planning your timeline around the writing task and your test date is easier with our LSAT test dates and deadlines guide.
Test your understanding with these sample questions.
Question 1 — Logical Reasoning (Weaken)
A city council report states that since bike lanes were added to downtown streets, bicycle commuting has increased by 25%. The council concludes that adding bike lanes directly caused more people to commute by bicycle. Which of the following, if true, most weakens this conclusion?
Question 2 — Reading Comprehension
Passage
Unlike a curve, which adjusts scores based on other test takers' performance, LSAC's equating process adjusts only for the inherent difficulty of each test form. This ensures that a score of 165 represents the same ability level regardless of which test date a student sits for. The distinction is important: your LSAT score reflects your individual performance on a standardized metric, not how you compared to other test takers on a given day.
According to the passage, which of the following best explains why LSAC uses the equating process rather than grading on a curve?
07
Frequently Asked Questions
The LSAT has four 35-minute multiple-choice sections: two Logical Reasoning, one Reading Comprehension, and one unscored experimental section. A separate Argumentative Writing section is administered online before or after the test day, bringing the total to five components.
Most test takers find Reading Comprehension or the more complex Logical Reasoning questions the most challenging. Difficulty varies by individual — students with strong analytical skills may excel at LR but struggle with dense RC passages. Take a diagnostic test to identify your personal weak areas.
No. LSAC removed the Analytical Reasoning (Logic Games) section starting with the August 2024 LSAT. It was replaced by a second Logical Reasoning section. The current LSAT format consists of two LR sections, one RC section, and one unscored experimental section.
The Argumentative Writing section is not scored numerically and does not affect your 120-180 LSAT score. However, your essay is sent to every law school you apply to along with your score report. Law schools may review it to assess your writing ability and analytical thinking.
No, you cannot identify the experimental section during the test. It will look identical to the scored sections in format and difficulty. LSAC intentionally makes it indistinguishable so test takers give their full effort on every section. Always treat all sections as if they count.
Built for the LSAT
Practice on the real format, section by section.
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