Last Updated on September 30, 2026
Quick answer: The digital LSAT has four 35-minute multiple-choice sections: two scored Logical Reasoning, one scored Reading Comprehension, and one unscored section. Logic games were removed in August 2024. Starting with the August 2026 LSAT, almost all test takers test in person at a test center, and LSAT Argumentative Writing is completed separately online.
The Digital LSAT: What to Know About the Current Format
If you are applying to law school, you have likely heard that the LSAT is now digital. The core content has not changed; it is still a multiple choice exam that tests logical reasoning, reading comprehension, and critical thinking. What has changed is how the test is delivered and the features available to test takers.
In this post, we will break down the logistics of the digital LSAT, highlight the biggest updates, compare the LSAT and the GRE, and explain why the LSAT continues to be such an important part of your law school application.
What the Digital LSAT Looks Like
Starting with the August 2026 LSAT, LSAC is moving almost all US and international test takers to in-person testing at test centers, with limited remote exceptions for certain medical accommodations or extreme distance. Wherever you test, the digital interface and question types are the same.
At the test center, you take the multiple-choice sections on provided equipment under in-person proctoring. Test takers approved for a remote exception use their own computer with an online proctor and need a second camera, such as a smartphone, set up for proctoring.
The test itself includes:
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Two Logical Reasoning sections
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One Reading Comprehension section
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One unscored experimental section (content varies)
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LSAT Argumentative Writing, completed separately online and available as early as eight days before your multiple-choice test
Each multiple-choice section is 35 minutes long. LSAT Argumentative Writing is unscored and takes 50 minutes: 15 minutes for prewriting analysis and 35 minutes to write your essay. Schools receive it with your score report, so plan to finish it early.
Digital LSAT Test Day
Plan to arrive early at your test center with an acceptable government-issued ID. You will complete the four multiple-choice sections in one sitting, with a short scheduled break partway through. Personal items stay in a locker, so do not plan to bring notes or a phone into the testing room.
Because the format is fixed, the best way to reduce test-day stress is to practice under the same conditions: four timed 35-minute sections, one after another, on a screen rather than on paper.
Key Updates to Know
The most significant change came in August 2024, when LSAC permanently removed the Logic Games section. [1] It was replaced with a second Logical Reasoning section. This shift came after years of debate and a legal settlement, and it reflects LSAC’s effort to make the test fairer for students who may have had disadvantages with the unique logic puzzle format.
The digital format also introduced test-taking tools designed to mimic what students used to do with pen and paper. Features include:
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Highlighting and underlining directly on the screen
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Flagging questions to revisit later
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Adjustable font size and line spacing for readability
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A built-in timer that can be shown or hidden, with an automatic five-minute warning
LSAC publishes a score release date for each test administration, so you can plan your law school timeline around it. LSAC also offers official practice through LawHub, including Official LSAT PrepTests in a basic account at no cost, so students can become familiar with the digital interface before test day.
What Has Not Changed
For all the changes in delivery, the skills the LSAT measures are the same. Logical Reasoning questions ask you to analyze short arguments: find assumptions, spot flaws, and decide what would strengthen or weaken a conclusion. Reading Comprehension asks you to read dense passages closely and track the structure of an argument, including one set of paired passages. The unscored section looks exactly like a scored one, so treat every section as if it counts. Your score is based on the number of questions you answer correctly, with no penalty for wrong answers, so never leave a question blank, even when time is running out. Use the flagging tool to mark hard questions, make your best guess, and come back if time allows.
How to Prepare for the Digital LSAT
Preparation for the digital LSAT is very similar to preparation for the paper test. The most effective strategies include:
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Use official practice tests. LSAC publishes PrepTests in the digital format so you can practice under realistic conditions.
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Practice on a tablet or computer. If possible, simulate the actual experience by taking tests digitally. Familiarity with scrolling, highlighting, and flagging will make you more comfortable on test day.
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Focus on timing. Since each section is strictly 35 minutes, practice pacing yourself. The built-in timer can help, but the responsibility is still on you to move steadily through the questions.
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Master the fundamentals. Logical reasoning and reading comprehension skills remain the backbone of the exam. Success depends more on consistent practice and critical thinking than on the test format itself.
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Plan for the writing section. Do not leave it until the last minute. Completing your writing sample early ensures your law school applications will not be delayed.
A Simple Digital LSAT Study Plan
Most students benefit from a few months of steady preparation rather than a short cram. Start with a timed diagnostic PrepTest on LawHub to see where you stand. Spend the first weeks learning question types and reviewing every missed question until you can explain why the right answer is right. Then move to timed sections, and finally to full practice tests under test-day conditions, taking one or two a week. Keep a log of the question types you miss most, and return to them between full tests. If your practice scores level off, change your review method before adding more hours.
LSAT vs GRE
More law schools now accept the GRE, and it is a valid option for students who may feel better in quantitative reasoning or who plan to apply to multiple types of graduate programs. However, the LSAT remains the most widely accepted exam for law school admissions.
The LSAT is accepted by every ABA-accredited law school, which is one reason most applicants still submit LSAT results. Most applicants to top programs still submit LSAT scores, even though nearly all of the highest-ranked law schools, including Yale, Stanford, and the University of Chicago, now accept the GRE.
While schools such as Harvard, Columbia, Georgetown, and UCLA accept the GRE, the LSAT was designed specifically for law school admissions. [2] LSAC reports that the LSAT is the single best predictor of first-year law school performance, even better than undergraduate GPA. [3] If law school is your main goal, the LSAT remains the safer choice, and our LSAT vs GRE guide can help you decide.
The LSAT’s Role in Your Application
The LSAT is more than just another part of your application; it is one of the most heavily weighted factors. Along with your GPA, it is one of the first numbers admissions committees review.
A solid LSAT score can:
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Compensate for a slightly lower GPA
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Improve your application to highly competitive programs
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Give you more options when you build your school list
Because of its importance, students are encouraged to begin studying well before they plan to apply. Many start preparing in the spring of their junior year of college, leaving time for a retake if needed. Your LSAT score stays on file with LSAC, which gives you flexibility in planning, but check each school’s policy on how recent a score must be.
The digital LSAT was designed to be more efficient and accessible without changing the rigor of the exam. With thoughtful preparation and a solid strategy, you can navigate the new format confidently and use your score to build a compelling law school application.
Build Your Digital LSAT Timeline
Work backward from your first application deadline. Register for a test date that leaves room for at least one retake, since test center seats can fill quickly now that nearly everyone tests in person. Schedule LSAT Argumentative Writing as soon as the window opens, because it is administered remotely for all test takers and you can complete it up to eight days before your multiple-choice test. [4]
Many applicants take their first official LSAT in the spring or summer before they apply, which leaves the fall for a retake if needed. Once you have your score, compare it with the medians at the schools you are considering and adjust your list. Our ideal law school application timeline and our advice on what to do after you finish the LSAT can help you plan the next steps.
If you take the test more than once, law schools will see your reportable scores. Many schools focus on your highest score, but policies vary, so read each school’s admissions page before deciding whether a retake is worth it. A retake makes the most sense when your practice scores are clearly higher than your official result and you have time to prepare again before your deadlines.
If you need testing accommodations, such as extra time or breaks, request them through LSAC well before your registration deadline. Approval can take several weeks, and some accommodations may affect whether you test at a center or qualify for a remote exception, so start that process as soon as you pick a test date.
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