A few days ago, LSAC held the administration of the May 18th LSAT India. As LSAT experts in the states, we felt a need to get acquainted with the LSAT-India. This post gives some key information on the test for those wanting to lean more about it. The LSAT-India differs from its American counterpart in several important respects, so we cover that as well.
The use of the LSAT as a component in the law school application process is relatively new to India, but has expanded quickly. The LSAT’s adoption in India is interesting because it shows the confidence that law schools have in the ability of the LSAT to select promising candidates. In other words, the LSAT is here to stay, both in America and worldwide. Let’s take a look at the Indian version of the test:
General Information
The LSAT-India is designated for use as an admissions test in India only and cannot be reported to schools in other nations, so it is not a substitute exam for those seeking admission to American law schools. The test is administered once per year and is only effective for that year’s admission cycle.
Your reported score on the exam, unlike the American test, is only your percentile score as compared with other other candidates taking the same administration with you.
LSAT-India: Test Structure
The LSAT India consists of four scored sections: analytical reasoning (games), two logical reasoning sections, and one reading comprehension section. Each section has around the same number of questions (around 24) and each question is given equal weight, making each section roughly equivalent in weight.
These are the same four scored sections the LSAT has always featured, minus the experimental section and the writing sample. While it’s nice not having the extra sections to contend with, the LSAT-India contains no significant breaks — all four 35 minutes sections are done in a row. This adds up to a total duration of 2 hours and 20 minutes with no rest, a substantial test of endurance.
Preparing For The LSAT-India
Because the LSAT India is relatively new, there is not a large number of past official practice tests to study from that were specifically designed for the India’s LSAT. Pearson, the administrators of the test, have made four free official LSAT-India prep tests available:
Note that American LSAT students can also take advantage of these for extra prep, as the questions are unique to these tests but substantially similar to those found on other practice tests, only with names and topics that may be somewhat more comfortable to Indian test takers.
Four practice tests is not enough, however, to adequately prepare for the exam. Generally considerably more time is needed to reach your maximum potential on an LSAT test. Here is the strategy I used to get a 99.8th% score on the LSAT by studying with the best LSAT prep books.
Given that the LSAT-India is administered only once per year, being adequately prepared is essential. You can use the same techniques that have evolved to help American LSAT takers tackle the test. Start with the books recommended on our 3 month study schedule. Also, here is where you can find the most recent actual, official LSAT preptests;
Congratulations to LSAT-India candidates on completing the test! To next years applicants, follow us on twitter @onlawschool or subscribe to our email list for tons of free LSAT prep advice.
