LSAT Updates for 2021-2022

Below please find important updates regarding the upcoming LSAT administrations for June 2021 through June 2022 released today by LSAC.

Administration Dates:

LSAC has announced the upcoming LSAT administration dates through June 2022.  The LSAT will be offered at the following times:

      • April 2021 – beginning April 10 & 11
      • June 2021 – week starting June 12
      • August 2021 – week starting August 14
      • October 2021 – week starting October 9
      • November 2021 – week starting November 13
      • January 2022 – week starting January 15
      • February 2022 – week starting February 12
      • March 2022 – week starting March 12
      • April 2022 – week starting April 30
      • June 2022 – week starting June 11

Additional schedule information can be located online at:  https://www.lsac.org/lsat/lsat-dates-deadlines-score-release-dates.

Exam Format: 

The LSAT will continue to be provided in an online, live remote-proctored format through June 2022.  The current three-section exam (LSAT -Flex) will be offered for the upcoming February 2021, April 2021, and June 2021 administrations.  Beginning with August 2021, changes to the online format will be implemented.

Format for August 2021 and future administrations: 

Starting in August 2021, LSAC will return to the pre-COVID practice of including an unscored variable section along with the three scored sections of the LSAT-flexThe unscored section will provide LSAC the opportunity to validate new test questions for future use.  LSAT formats prior to the LSAT-Flex also included an unscored sections.

With the addition of a fourth, unscored section, the online LSAT will include a short break between the second and third sections of the exam starting with the August 2021 administration.  This break is similar to the break mid-way through the traditional in-person LSAT that was used before the COVID-19 emergency.

The LSAT will continue to have three scored sections (Reading Comprehension,  Logical Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning) and one unscored variable section for the next several years, and you can learn more about the LSAT for August 2021 and beyond on the LSAC website.

The LSAT Writing will continue to be a required part of the LSAT.  Visit the LSAC website to learn more about the LSAT Writing.

Scoring:

Scores will continue to be reported on the 120-180 LSAT range, along with a percentile ranking.  Question type and methodology will remain the same, and the expectation is that scores from the current LSAT-Flex and the LSAT beginning in August will be aligned.

Resources:

      • To learn more about the LSAT visit the LSAC website.
      • The LSAC Fee Waiver program remains available to students and includes financial assistance for exam fees, application fees, and study prep resources.
      • LSAC offers equipment and location assistance for students.  Learn more about these services on the LSAT Q&A page.

The Legal Studies Minor at a Glance…

The Legal Studies Minor is administered by the College of Law as part of its Undergraduate Legal Studies Program under the direction of Professor Jennifer Pahre.  The Minor is designed to provide undergraduate students with an understanding of how the law operates in our society and helps students develop critical thinking and communication skills.

The minor requires completion of 18 hours of credit including:

    • 9 hours of core courses taught by College of Law Professors and affiliated faculty, and
    • 9 hours in one of three tracks:
        1.  Law & Politics;
        2. Law & Cultures; or
        3. Law & Economics of Food Security and Sustainability.

How to Enroll:

  • You must have completed at least 30 credit hours to apply.
  • You must have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher.
  • You must be in good standing.

Enrollment is limited, interested students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

For more information on the minor, including specific course requirements and how to apply, click here.

Individual questions can be directed to: law-undergrad@illinois.edu  

Legal Studies Minor Information Session

Watch the brief video below to learn more about the Legal Studies Minor directly from Professor Jennifer Pahre, College of Law Director of Undergraduate Studies!

Spring 2021 LSAT Resources and News

Spring semester is here and that means another round of upcoming LSAT exams.  Spring LSAT exams are a busy time for test takers who are wrapping up their application efforts, and for test-takers looking to obtain scores for future application cycles.  Below is some helpful information for those planning on sitting for an upcoming LSAT this spring or summer.

The State of the Exam:

Due to the restrictions created by the COVID-19 pandemic, LSAC created a remote, online version of the LSAT  – the LSAT-Flex.  The LSAT-Flex is a three-section multi-choice question exam. The three 35-minute sections are comprised of one section each of the Reading Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning questions. The exam is offered on a remote basis, on multiple dates and times.  In addition to the multiple choice section, students are also required to separately complete the LSAT Writing.   To learn more about the LSAT-Flex visit our prior blog postings, or visit the LSAC website.

Currently, the only available format for the LSAT is the LSAT-Flex.  The LSAT-Flex will be offered for both the February 2021 and April 2021 administrations.  LSAC has not yet released details regarding future test dates or future test formats, however, we have compiled a list of a few key things you should know:

      • Preparation efforts for the exam should remain fundamentally the same in terms of content, time, and effort.
      • While sitting for a remote, online exam can present challenges, initial analysis suggests that individuals are scoring at the same, or higher, levels as compared to performance levels on the traditional five-section, in-person format.
      • Although test dates and registration is not yet open for 2021 administrations later than April, LSAC has confirmed their intention to offer exams at the approximately same time and at the same frequency as the current testing cycle.  For those hoping to sit for a summer exam, we fully anticipate multiple test dates during the summer 2021 months, and additional dates in the fall semester.
      • We are here to help!  As additional information about the upcoming 2021 administrations is made available we will keep you informed.  If you are considering sitting for an upcoming LSAT exam in the next testing cycle, we highly encourage you to attend our upcoming LSAT Bootcamp on Monday, February 8.  See additional details below!

LSAT Resources

There are many exceptional LSAT resources available to students free of charge!  Below is a highlight of resources available this semester through LSAC and the PLAS office!

LSAT Bootcamp

Join Illinois pre-law students and alumni to learn more about the LSAT exam, LSAC resources, and LSAT study methods and plans at the annual LSAT Bootcamp on February 8th from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. This year’s Bootcamp will feature presentations by LSAC and KAPLAN.  This event is for any Illini considering attending law school or sitting for the LSAT exam in the upcoming months.

To learn more about the Bootcamp and to register, please visit the PLAS website.  Be sure to also complete the Kaplan event form for complimentary resources and to submit questions in advance!

Sign-up by midnight. Friday, February 5:  https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/47155402

 

LSAT Test Space

Having difficulty identifying a quiet place to take the LSAT?  Pre-Law Advising Services has arranged for a limited number of testing rooms on campus for the upcoming February LSAT-Flex administration. We will do our best accommodate as many students as possible, however, these rooms are available on a first come, first served basis and are limited to current UIUC students due to on-campus COVID-19 testing requirements.

If you are interested in reserving a test space, please fill out this survey by Sunday February 14th at 5:00 pm.   To review helpful tips about the LSAT flex, including identifying test space, please visit our “Where to take the LSAT-Flex” blog post from this fall.

LSAT Study Groups

Pre-Law Advising Services is once again helping students form study groups for the April (and summer) LSAT. If you are interested in connecting with a group for April and possible future exams, please complete this survey by 5:00 pm on Sunday February 14th . We will provide guidance and tips for your study group, after which the group may be self-managed. These study groups can begin as early as February 22nd.

 

Any questions regarding the rooms or groups can be directed to PLAS Graduate Assistant Courtney Koenig at ckoenig3@illinois.edu.

 

LSAC Test Prep Resources 

LSAC provides a wide-variety of free and affordable study prep resources.  Below are links to currently available opportunities:

      • LSAT Prep: There is a free and $99 version.  The free version provides four online practice tests!
      • Kahn Academy:  Free interactive lessons, timed practice tests, strategies, tips, and more…
      • LSAT Test Books: These are self-study books available at low cost.  Some books may also be purchased used!
      • Official LSAT Content Licensees:  A collection of test prep companies that have licensed official LSAT content.  There is a wide-variety of programs offered by these companies.  We do not recommend any particular company, but do encourage you to work with an option from this list if you do decide to purchase a study program/course.

Financial Concerns?  Applying to law school requires a significant financial investment.  To assist students who have financial needs, LSAC offers the Fee Waiver program.  This program includes the cost of two LSAT exam registrations,  free prep resources, and much more!  To learn more about the LSAC Fee Waiver program click here.

February Snapshot

Happy February! We hope the semester is off to a great start! This month is full of many amazing events and opportunities you won’t want to miss!  Check out the list of upcoming programming below…

February 2: Career Center Part Time Fair. Click here to register.

February 3: AccessLex-Choosing a Law School Webinar. Register here.

February 4: AccessLex-Applying to Law School Seminar. You can register here.

February 4: Pre-Law Advising-Pre-Law 101 Workshop.

February 5: Minor In Legal Studies Information Session

February 5: The 9th Annual Wisconsin Statewide Diversity Conference and Law School Fair. Find more information about the Fair here.

February 6: Indiana University Maurer School of Law Diversity in Law Series. Part 1-Series Introduction and How to Apply to Law School: Game Show Edition. Register here.

February 8: Pre-law Advising- LSAT Bootcamp and Application Deadline for Illinois Leadership Center Position. Click here for more details.

February 8: UIUC Pad Recruitment Information Session: Click here to register.

February 9: Paying for Law School Webinar. Register here.

February 9: Pre-Law Advising-LSAT Chats. Find more information here.

February 9: Kappa Alpha Pi Info Session. Zoom link can be found here.

February 9: Peace Corps Info Session. Click here for the zoom link.

February 10: Pre-Law Advising-LSAT Chats. Find more information here.

February 10: Kappa Alpha Pi Info Session 2. Click here for zoom link.

February 11: Indiana University Maurer School of Law Diversity in Law Series. Part 2-What are Maurer School of Law lawyers doing? You can register here.

February 12: Pre-Law Advising-Selection Strategies: Navigating Post Admissions. Register here.

February 12: West Coast Consortium of Private Law Schools. When details become available, they can be found here.

February 14: Deadline to sign up to take the LSAT in the Armory building on campus.  Must sign up here by 5pm.

February 14: Deadline to sign up for LSAT study groups. Must fill out this survey by 5pm.

February 15: UIUC Pad Recruitment Information Session: Click here to register.

February 15: Women & Gender in Global Perspectives Program (WGGP) “Hood Feminism” Book Club. Register here.

February 15: 2021 Bailey Fellowship Due. For more information, click here.

February 16: Pre-Law Advising-Application Roadmap. Register here.

February 16: Application Deadline for the 2021 LSAC PreLaw Undergraduate Scholars Program Online at St. John’s Law. More information can be found here.

February 16: Marshall-Motley Scholars Program deadline. For more information, click here.

February 16: Indiana University Maurer School of Law Diversity in Law Series. Part 3-The life of a Maurer law student. Register here.

February 16 and 18: Women & Gender in Global Perspectives Program (WGGP) RBG Documentary Film Screening. More information can be found here.

February 18: Peace Corps Application Workshop: Interviews. Click here for zoom link.

February 18: Pre-Law Advising-Selection Strategies: Navigating Post Admissions. Register here.

February 20: February LSAT Administration Begins. Good luck!

February 22: Pre-Law Advising Services-Negotiating Scholarships Workshop. Register here.

February 23: Women & Gender in Global Perspectives Program (WGGP) Fellowships and Awards Application. Click here for more details.

February 24: April LSAT Registration Deadline

February 25: Pre-law Advising-Pre-Law 101. You can register here.

February 25: SAPLA Diversity Law Symposium. Register here.

February 25: Fordham Law School and the Leitner Center for International Law and Justice: Summer Human Rights Institute. Deadline to register for a reduced rate.

February 26: Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Panel at 10am. Click here for the zoom link.

February 26: Indiana University Maurer School of Law Diversity in Law Series. Mock Law class. You can register here.

Be sure to check out the upcoming special events!

LSAT Bootcamp Information: Pre-Law Advising Services is hosting a LSAT Bootcamp on February 8th from 4-6pm. Kaplan and LSAC will be presenting about the LSAT exam, LSAT resources, and LSAT study methods and plans. This is an incredible opportunity to learn how to master the LSAT! Registration can be found here.

LSAC Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars Programs: These programs give future law students insights about what to expect in law school and the enrollment process. They are free programs and each participant is eligible for a $1,000 dollar stipend and a LSAC fee waiver. For more information and to see what schools are hosting the programs, click here.

Upcoming: The Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) has created a new initiative called the Environmental Leadership Program (ELP). There will be two workshops in Spring 2021: March 24 on environmental policy; and April 13 on corporate sustainability. Only 25 students may register for each event. If you are interested or want more information, click here.

University of Houston Law Center: Online Pre-Law Programs sponsored by LSAC. Deadline to apply is March 1. Click here for more information on the programs and how to apply.

Upcoming Internship Opportunity: The last day to apply for the UIUC HRI Andrew W. Mellon Internship in Legal Humanities is March 1, 2021 at 5:00 pm. Click here for more information.