LSAT Drops Logic Games Section

The LSAT is saying goodbye to its logic games section.

The Law School Admission Council announced this month that it will replace the analytical reasoning section with a second logical reasoning section. The change will go into effect starting with the August 2024 test.

The change comes after accessibility concerns were raised in a 2019 lawsuit by a legally blind test taker. The lawsuit argued that the games section, often referred to as the analytical reasoning portion, posed significant challenges for individuals with visual impairments due to its heavy reliance on drawing diagrams and models to solve the problems.

WHAT DOES THE CHANGE MEAN FOR APPLICANTS?

Gabriel Kuris, founder of Top Law Coach and contributor at US News, recently offered insight into how the change—the most significant in the exam’s history—will ultimately affect future law school applicants.

“An LSAT without logic games may seem easier, but the overall difficulty of the infamously tricky test is unlikely to change,” Kuris says. “However, the content change likely affects law school applicants in other ways.”

Kuris adds that logic games, historically, require the most preparation. While other standardized tests include questions about short prompts or passages, logic games are unique to the LSAT and are focal point of LSAT test prep materials, including courses, books, and apps.

Removing the logic games section from the LSAT, Kuris argues, could potentially level the playing field.

“Perhaps this means that an LSAT without logic games may be more equitable, since the other sections can be easier to practice and master without expensive tutors and courses,” Kuris says.

WHICH TEST SHOULD YOU TAKE?

For applicants who have already started test prep on logic games, Kuris recommends taking the current LSAT test before the August 2024 change. If you plan to apply to law school in the next cycle and haven’t started test prep, take the new LSAT without logic games.

“It should also be noted that law school applicants from STEM backgrounds and applicants who speak English as a second language often find the logic games section easier than more reading-intensive sections,” Kuris says. “In such a case, it may be wiser to take the GRE instead of the LSAT starting in August 2024. However, before making this decision, you may want to take a diagnostic test. If you sense that logic games will be a strong point, then you should aim to take the LSAT in the spring.”

Sources: US News, CNN