Recently there has been a growing presumption that the LSAT is getting harder. Maybe this is because the weakened economy or the increase in Law School applications. I’m assuming that the logic goes something like this: the unemployment rate is up and the job market is down, increased numbers of people with only undergraduate degrees are out of work, competition for existing jobs is increasing, and therefore the demand for increased education (specifically specialized degrees like law, medicine, engineering, etc…) is increasing. This increased demand for higher education is increasing the number or applications to graduate schools. So, in order for the schools to differentiate between the recent increases in applicants, the admission tests given in respective fields are becoming increasingly difficult. There are many assumptions in that statement, but there is little doubt that for the fall of 2010, the number of applications was up.

So, if the number of seats available in ABA accredited law schools is relatively the same, and the number of applications is increasing, then admission is becoming more competitive. That being said, despite that fact that getting into law school is getting harder, the LSAT itself is not.

In order for admissions to compare one set of applicants for year X to a set of applicants for year Y, there must be an objective standard. Otherwise, it would be virtually impossible to compare different classes against one another, without a reasonable, objective standard with which to do so.

The LSAT is broke down into approximately 100 questions that count. The additional section has no effect on the score. Therefore, the raw score can range from 0 to about 100. The LSAT is set to a standard deviation curve, which scales the raw score into an LSAT score of 120-180. So, the median score is typically 151, and the top 10% are the scores 164 and above. This application of statistics, applies an equitable solution to the question of whether the Feb test was harder than the Oct test for example. This also nullifies any difference between tests from year-to-year.

The objective for a test-taker therefore should be to prepare their skills and sharpen their ability in order to outscore the other test-takers. The objective should not be to get every question correct. Even the scores in the top 1% are often scores by test-takers that missed nine or ten questions.

What will happen to the number of applications submitted for the incoming 1L class for fall of 2011? That remains to be seen. One thing is certain – the LSAT will remain consistent.

I hope to hear back from readers. Be it good, bad, critical, or just random thoughts. Post any LSAT questions or opinions about what I write here and I will write a blog with my responses.

As I’ve mentioned in earlier entries, the Admissions Committee takes into consideration every element when reviewing your application: LSAT, undergraduate and graduate GPA and transcripts, letters of recommendation, resume, work experience, life experience, personal statement and addendum (should you have needed to write one). 

I tell my clients right up front that I cannot and will not guarantee that they will be accepted to a specific law school, nor will I guarantee that they won’t be accepted to a specific school.  I do not have the advantage of serving on the Admissions Committee and being able to read your application along with the other thousands that have been received for the upcoming year. 

In researching law schools, you noticed that each school indicates a range of LSAT scores and a range of GPAs for accepted students.  This range covers the 25th – 75th percentiles, which means the school also accepts above the range and below the range:

• Should your LSAT and GPA fall way above both ranges, I’d say that you have a very, very strong chance of being accepted.  As your consultant, I would not guarantee your acceptance because maybe there is something else going on in your application that I’m not aware of, something you haven’t shared with me.  However, the odds are very much in your favor.
• Should your LSAT and GPA fall way below both ranges, as your consultant, I would tell you that it’s going to be an uphill challenge to get in.  However, maybe there’s some other aspect of your file that you haven’t shared with me that particularly attracts the attention of the Admissions Committee.
• Should your LSAT and GPA fall solidly within the middle or near the top end of the ranges, once again, you have a solid chance of being accepted.
• Should your LSAT and/or GPA fall at the lower end or just below the 25th percentile, then the Admissions Committee looks for some other aspect of your application to help compensate for the lower LSAT/GPA.  If one isn’t as competitive, they look for the other to be more competitive. 

Which brings me to the three decisions awarded by the Admissions Committee:

• Acceptance
• Denial
• Deferral or waitlisted.  The Admissions Committee has fully reviewed your application and determined that there are some aspects of your application that are exactly what they’re looking for, and yet, there are other aspects that are not quite as competitive.   They are unable to accept you at this time, but they also do not wish to turn you away.  As a result, you could be waitlisted or receive a defer decision – both of which mean that a final &yes& or &no& will be determined at a later date, possibly in two weeks, in a month, or two months from now.

As you are learning, applying to law school is very much a hurry-up-and-wait process.  You exert much effort in a short amount of time to take the LSAT, request your letters of recommendation, craft your personal essay, and submit your application.  Now comes the hard part…calling upon your patience as you wait to learn one of the three decisions above.