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LSAT to have fewer essays, more reading
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by Cassie Kornblau
Monday, March 19, 2007
Beginning this June, the common entrance test for law school students will see changes in its format and administration, according to the Law School Admissions Council.
The new version of the LSAT will include changes to the actual test — specifically the essay and reading comprehension sections — according to Jeffrey Meanza, national graduate director for The Princeton Review.
The writing sample, Meanza said, will move back to the way the exam was previously structured with just one essay, known as the decision prompt.
"The decision prompt is based on a course of action a student proves one should take," Meanza said. "Students take the criteria given on the test and argue why one decision is better than the other."
However, University of Wisconsin sophomore Lisa Sheridan, who plans on going to law school, said the one essay puts more pressure on the students because the essay is worth more points.
"When there are two essays, it alleviates the pressure from the one essay," Sheridan said. "It gives students more of an opportunity to show what they know."
According to Meanza, the reading comprehension section will also see changes. Students will have to answer questions about two specific passages, in addition to questions comparing the passages, Meanza said.
"I think it is a critical skill for law-related activities to compare passages and be able to think about ideas individually," Sheridan said. "Ultimately, that is what you need to be able to do in law school and in court."
In addition, the LSAC is instituting tighter security measures for students on the testing day.
The new regulations will prohibit students from wearing any head coverings — except if religious — and Meanza said new restrictions will also prohibit students from bringing in any weapons or firearms, ear plugs, backpacks or books.
If students wish to bring a snack and a water bottle for the break, students must store it in a zip lock bag with their LSAT admissions ticket, wallet and keys.
Meanza added students would only be allowed to use analog watches and would be provided with pencils.
"There is an overall cracking down on the testing environment," Meanza said. "It is a way to make sure students come to a safe environment and are stripped away of everything and have only what is absolutely necessary to take the test."
Sheridan said she does not think test-day restrictions are going to make a difference in insuring the testing is fair for everyone.
"I do think that standardized tests need to be implemented so they are even," Sheridan said. "I do not think that day of restrictions are going to make any of these changes."
The problem, Sheridan added, is not with security issues but the preparation students receive prior to the test.
"Students who have the money can take courses like Kaplan," she said. "Others might not get the appropriate advising they might need."
Anonymous (March 19, 2007 @ 1:35am):
Sheridan is ALL OVER the BH today
Anonymous (March 19, 2007 @ 2:43am):
Since when did the LSAT's essay count for points? It's ungraded and only sent out to the law schools as a writing sample. Also, there were two different kinds of essays you could have--the decision prompt or the argument prompt--and you only received ONE of these on test day for your 35 minute writing sample. Someone should tell Sheridan it's not about how much you know but how well you can argue a point on the writing sample. Come on Hearld--check your facts!
Anonymous (March 19, 2007 @ 1:27pm):
I can't bring weapons or firearms with me to the LSAT anymore? How can I be expected to do well on the test now?
Anonymous (March 19, 2007 @ 3:23pm):
law schools don't read the writing samples, anyway.
Anonymous (March 19, 2007 @ 4:38pm):
"More points"? I thought it was just a an unscored writing sample? Also, not to nitpick, but "weapons OR firearms"? Aren't all firearms weapons?
Anonymous (March 19, 2007 @ 5:59pm):
'Also, not to nitpick, but "weapons OR firearms"? Aren't all firearms weapons?'
I think I actually remember that being a question on the LSAT last year. Yes. I do remember...
Anonymous (March 19, 2007 @ 7:29pm):
Those rule changes about firearms or bringing in stuff to the test aren't really rule changes...at least not at where I took the test
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