Saying Goodbye to Logic Games: LSAC Announces Changes
Starting August 2024, aspiring law students will no longer have to answer analytical reasoning questions, commonly called logic games, when taking the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
In October 2023, the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) announced removing the logic game section from the test. Instead, they plan to add a second scored logical reasoning section.
While the adjustment is major, especially for students who are planning to take the LSAT next year, it's hardly sudden.
Why Did the Test Change?
The change has been anticipated since 2019 when a legally blind test-taker filed a lawsuit against LSAC and argued that the logic games section put them at a severe disadvantage since it required drawing diagrams and models to solve problems.
The lawsuit ended in a settlement that, among other elements, included the LSAC's promise to re-evaluate the section within four years. Now that the four years are up, the change is coming into effect.
The unusual logic game scenarios that appeared in the analytical reasoning section of the latest tests led to speculations that LSAC was working out new types of inclusive logic games. Instead, they are dropping the logic games altogether and replacing them with the second logic reasoning section.
Accordingly, starting August 2024, the LSAT will have:
Reading comprehension section (scored)
Two logical reasoning sections (scored)
One variable section (unscored)
The old format will remain intact until June 2024. It will include one reading comprehension section, one analytical reasoning section, one logical reasoning section, and one variable section.
Will This Change Affect Your LSAT Plans?
Many students believe that the logic games are the hardest section of the LSAT. Many aspiring lawyers don't face many logical questions in their studies. This forces them to spend a significant amount of time understanding how logic games work and tackle a wide variety of examples. This takes up a significant part of their LSAT prep process.
On the other hand, once you get the hang of the logic games, these problems become fairly easy to crack. The more you practice, the more chances you have to breeze through this particular section. However, some test takers never manage to gain a full understanding of the way these problems work. Thankfully, for many people, it doesn't interfere with their legal career.
The disappearance of the logic section from the LSAT is beneficial for students who have trouble mastering logical reasoning problems. It will also help legally blind students who no longer have to struggle with questions that require drawing diagrams and models to find a solution.
Meanwhile, LSAT without logic games may be easier on the students' budget since learning how to solve problems from other sections doesn't require as many hours of expensive preparation.
Should You Wait for The Renewed LSAT?
As the change comes into effect, many students wonder whether waiting for the renewed test is a good idea. If you feel fully prepared to take the old version of the LSAT, waiting for nine months for the new test can set you back.
Before registering for the upcoming LSAT, consider taking a diagnostic test. If you find that the analytical reasoning section is setting you back significantly, it may make sense to wait until August 2024 to take the LSAT.
If you are scoring well on the logic games section, perhaps you may want to consider taking the test before the change kicks in. This may give you more chances of getting the desired test score.
Besides helping you pass the LSAT, analytical reasoning can be highly applicable in your legal career. Even if you decide to postpone taking the LSAT, the time you already spent preparing for the old version of the test is an excellent investment in your skills.
The decision to wait for the new test or to take the old one is entirely your own. If you invest significant time and effort into preparing for LSAT, you are likely to achieve the desired results regardless of the test's format.
Keep in mind that you have the opportunity to retake the LSAT three times per test year. The current test year began in July 2023 and will end in June 2024. Before the end of this year, you can take tests in:
January 2024
February 2024
April 2024
June 2024
The registration deadline for the November 2023 test is already up. However, you still have the opportunity to take and retake the old version of the test before the year is over. If this doesn't work out, then you can try again when the new test year begins.
Keep in mind that the new version of the LSAT isn't likely to be "easier." It will just be different.
If you are looking for more professional advice to help you with your admissions process, please contact our team at any time.