Is the LSAT harder in the fall?

Question

I have been told that it is better to take the LSAT in the spring because the fall version is harder. Supposedly, this is the case because of the high number of students who take it in the fall and also that those students might be deemed as procrastinating.

Answer 1

This may be more information that you wanted, but I think it is important that people have as much accurate information as possible, and not settle for pseudo-responses.
There are two factors that are really at work here. First is the test itself, and second is the scoring scale for the test.
Obviously the difficulty of the test can change from one administration to the other. Test difficulty will change the number of questions that you as a test taker answer correctly. There is not however a noticable pattern in test difficulty from one time of year to the next. That is to say if you analyze all the June tests versus their October or December counterparts, there is no consistent pattern of increased difficulty. Since the tests are all created more than a year in advance, the performance of other test takers, etc cannot influence this aspect of your score. There is also the added element of individual strengths and weaknesses. Certain exams may be harder for the general population, but easier for you personally. Obviously, there is unlikely to be a consistent or predictable pattern with regard to your personal strengths and weaknesses.
The second factor is the scoring scale. This is basically the curve for a particular test. This scale is created based on the results from all of the test takers, as well as some other factors. Since standard deviations play a role in the scale, a dramatic increase in the number of test takers could impact the scoring scale to make it tighter (more correct responses required to achieve a particular score). At the same time, there is the element of how well the students taking the test perform on the exam. This means that a higher concentration of well-prepared students could also make the scale tighter. These two elements have a tendency to offset one another. June does have fewer overall test takers, but they tend to be better prepared. There are a higher percentage of less prepared test takers in December, but there are also more of them (as well as a good number of repeat test takers).
When you take both these elements into account, the final answer is that there isn't a consistent, predictable change in difficulty from one administration to the next in either test difficulty or scale difficulty.
That said, there is an advantage to taking the test in either June or October. First, as has been mentioned, it allows time to retake the test if necessary, but perhaps more significant is that time of application can affect liklihood of admission at many schools. Those who apply earlier in the application cycle (Sept-Nov) have a greater chance of getting accepted than those who apply late in the cycle (Dec-March).
While I appreciate Svetlana's Jeraldo-esque introduction of the change to the test, it really is not that big a deal. Basically, one fourth of one of the four sections will have a slight change in how the information is presented. One reading passage will have two 30-35 line passages instead of one 60-70 line passage. This means that you will probably have to comapre and contrast the two positions on a couple of questions, very much like you already do on the Logical Reasoning question types with two positions. If you want information directly from the source (LSAC)follow the link in the source list.
Like I said at the outset, it may be more than you wanted, but at least it accurately answers your question.

Answer 2

Your LSAT score isn't the only criteria that law schools consider when reviewing your application. There is your GPA, essay and background as well. If you have a decent GPA and your undergrad major was engineering, science, or some other quantitative subject, that may help. But there is nothing wrong with retaking the LSAT. Just be careful, some school average multiple test scores instead of taking the highest score. BTW there are lawschools who admit students with 141 LSAT scores. Alot of 3rd and 4th tier school have great programs. You don't have to attend a top 25 lawschool to be a good lawyer,

Answer 3

The Fall version is NOT harder. It is, however, harder to register for - as the demand for spaces is INSANELY high. It is also the last chance LSAT for those applying to start next Fall. We recommend that you aim for the June exam in order to have the option of retaking the LSAT in the Fall, should things go wonky the first time around.
A word of warning: the LSAT is changing in June - the biggest change to the test in 15 years. Make sure to get all the info as you prep!

best of luck,
Svetlana,
Master Teacher, Kaplan Test prep and Admissions

Answer 4

although that is the rumor, my second hand experience proved otherwise. my boyfriend took the LSAT twice. For the December test (the first go) he studied his head off with kaplan and everything else for a straght four weeks plus before the exam. he wasn't happy with his score and scheduled to take the exam again the following october. He studied equally as hard but scored 6 points higher. I don't know if his comfort level was increased because it wasn't the first time in that seat or if he was grasping the material better or if the LSAT really isnt' any more difficult in the fall than in december, june, or feb. g/l tho!

Answer 5

untrue. it has to be equal for everyone who takes it.