About the LSAT
What is the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)?
The LSAT is a half-day written test, designed to measure aptitude for legal study. It focuses on reading and verbal reasoning skills; no knowledge of law is required. It is an international test, administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), which sends results directly to the Law School.
Applicants must register to sit the LSAT before applying for the Melbourne JD.
What can I expect?
The LSAT comprises five multiple choice sections of 35 minutes each and a 35 minute writing sample. The writing sample does not go toward the calculation of your LSAT score, although we receive this sample and it forms part of your application.
The LSAT has three types of questions:
1. Reading comprehension
2. Analytical reasoning
3. Logical reasoning
Go to About the LSAT on the LSAC website for a more detailed description of these three question types and what to expect in the LSAT.
How should I prepare?
Although the test itself does not require studying, it is a good idea to have some idea of what to expect in the test. The LSAC website includes information on LSAT Preparation Materials, providing links to sample questions with explanations and a couple of sample LSAT tests.
We do not encourage you to purchase sample LSAT tests in preparation. The preparation materials available on the LSAC website will give you an idea of what to expect, but please remember that your LSAT score only forms part of your application, and is not individually determinative.
When do I sit the LSAT?
The LSAT is administered four times a year in capital cities throughout Australia and at various locations worldwide.The University of Melbourne is a registered LSAT test centre.
Although you can take the LSAT on any of the four test dates throughout the year, you should take the test on or before the June test date of the year preceding the one for which you are applying, to be included in first round selection. For example, if you are applying for 2010 entry to the Melbourne JD, you should sit the LSAT in or before June 2009. This ensures your results are returned in time to be considered for first round selection for the Melbourne JD.
Please note that there are strict registration deadlines and fixed test dates. For example, registration for the June LSAT usually closes in early May. Go to Test Dates Deadlines on the LSAC website for more specific details.
What if I’ve already sat the LSAT?
If you have already taken the test within the last two years of the application deadline, you may choose to use those results in your application for the Melbourne JD. You must still provide us with your LSAC registration number in your application.
Where can I sit the LSAT?
Below are the current registered LSAT test centres in Australia (as of May 2008):
Melbourne, Victoria | University of Melbourne (0848) |
Sydney, New South Wales | Macquarie University (0743) |
Brisbane, Queensland | University of Queensland (0096) |
Perth, Western Australia | Curriculum Council (0631) |
Hobart, Tasmania | University of Tasmania (0320) |
Bruce, Canberra | Australian Institute of Sport (0109) |
Adelaide, South Australia | (venue to be advised) |
Brinkin, NT | Charles Darwin University |
For full details of when these test centres administer the LSAT, and for the full list of LSAT test centres, go to LSAT Test Centre Codes.
What if my country/city does not have a registered test centre?
If there is no published test centre in your region, LSAC may still facilitate a test for you. To request an unpublished test centre you must contact LSAC at LSACINFO@LSAC.org and request a paper registration packet. Please copy the Melbourne JD office into this email (jd-law@unimelb.edu.au) so we can follow up your request and minimise any inconvenience to you.
How do I register?
You must register for the LSAT online at the LSAC website.
What do I do if I have difficulties with LSAT registration?
Contact the Melbourne JD Office immediately; we will be happy to assist in whatever way we can.
Step by step instructions on the LSAT registration process are available here.