Ep 157: All About LSAT's New Writing Portion with LSAT Logic Pro
Significant changes are coming to the LSAT in August 2024. While much attention has been on the removal of the Logic Games section, there's also a new writing section to prepare for. LSAT expert Mena Pirone discusses strategies for tackling the evolving exam format and emphasizes the importance of clear, structured writing, outlining, and avoiding gimmicks in your argumentative essays.
Meet Mena Pirone
Mena Pirone graduated from Harvard Law School after scoring in the top 1% on her LSAT. She began her career in Intellectual Property Litigation with LSAT Tutoring as a simple pastime on the side. She soon came to appreciate the more significant impact she could have by helping others achieve their law school dreams and made LSAT Tutoring her full-time endeavor. Since that move some 13 years ago, Mena has developed a unique and targeted approach to the test which has helped hundreds of students gain admission to top schools like Stanford, Colombia, Yale, as well as her alma mater Harvard. She prides herself on her flexible and dynamic personalized approach to tutoring, and her focus on helping first-generation and underserved students (especially those of color) put their best foot forward as they begin their legal careers.
Episode Highlights
Major changes are coming to the LSAT in August 2024, including the removal of the Logic Games section and the introduction of a new writing section (June 2024 LSAT marks last exam with previous format).
Logical reasoning will now make up two-thirds of the score, making it crucial to preparation and resource selection.
The new writing section, LSAT Argumentative Writing, replaces the LSAT writing sample and focuses on structured argumentation, personal opinions, and experiences.
LSAT Argumentative Writing includes perspectives from various sources, allowing students to argue for or against a debatable concept with intellectual and well-founded arguments.
Students are encouraged to use transition words and varied sentence structures for a cohesive and effective essay.
The essay format resembles a row of sliders, with each paragraph containing a main point supported by details.
Creativity is encouraged in the essay, but students should remain respectful and avoid gimmicks or overly creative formats.
Law school applicants should be aware that the writing sample they submit with their LSAT score is likely to receive more attention from law school admissions committees than it has in the past.
While Grammarly and other AI tools are not allowed, basic spell check may be available, highlighting the importance of grammar and writing skills.
It's advised to spend ample time planning and outlining the essay to ensure a well-developed and coherent argument.
Tweetable Quotes
“The new LSAT writing section is not only about showcasing your analytical skills but also your ability to present and argue complex ideas effectively. Embrace the opportunity to craft your narrative, weaving together your experiences, knowledge, and passion into a compelling argument that reflects your unique perspective.”