Reshaping the LSAT: The Future of a Scored Argumentative Writing Section

Liam Moore

Get your pencils ready! The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) is planning to reshape the LSAT. The Argumentative Writing section of the LSAT, henceforth the writing section, is poised to become scored in the near future.

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The Overlooked Section

As many prospective law students are aware, the LSAT, first introduced in February 1948, is an integral step into becoming a lawyer in North America. Historically, there has been a major emphasis on the multiple-choice section of the test. This section, consisting of three 35-minute subsections, is scored from 120 to 180, the score denoting which percentile one achieves. In contrast, the writing section is currently unscored and taken on a separate day; wherefore, test takers often overlook its importance, seeing it as an adjunct evaluation.

The Intricacies of the Writing Section

The writing section does not follow the standard multiple-choice framework that the scored section employs. As its name suggests, the writing section requires test takers to create an argument on a given stimulus and write an essay defending their position. And, as this article previously mentions, the writing section can be done on a separate day. One is able to complete it up to eight days before their scheduled exam, and while it technically has a one-year time limit, takers are unable to see their score on the multiple-choice section until they finish it (note that it is taken online with a virtual proctor). Therefore, one is recommended to complete it at least a week before one’s scores are released. Furthermore, though it is unscored, the admissions teams at law schools read and take it into account during their decision. Its purpose is to assess how efficiently candidates can understand a topic, create an argument, and articulate it to a reader. As such, it is clear that test takers should pay more attention to it. Fortunately, prospective law students will have little choice but to accept its importance in light of recent and future changes.

Technical Changes to the Writing Section

Initially, the writing section was a 35-minute section requiring writers to defend one of two opposing claims using a list of pros and cons in a concise essay. Note, the stimulus provided the two opposing claims and strengths/weaknesses. This format was limited in testing writers’ abilities, as a dilemma includes only two options, and the pros-and-cons list required little critical thinking to understand.

In August 2024, LSAC made slight changes to this format to better assess one’s argumentative skills. Their first change was to the stimulus. The question changed from a simple dilemma to an open-ended question. Subsequently, LSAC substituted the pros-and-cons list with a set of four related perspectives. These perspectives implicitly support/criticize the possible arguments that writers can make. These changes in the stimulus allow for greater fluidity of argument and a more intensive requirement of critical thinking. Thus, the writing section is now better able to assess the skills that the multiple-choice section places less emphasis on.

Though the argumentative writing section is still unscored at the time of this article, LSAT takers should not be too quick to rejoice. LSAC does not see these changes as the final stage of the writing section but as a step towards it becoming of greater importance (or, more accurately, recognized as being important). The Executive Vice President for Operations and Chief of Staff of LSAC, Susan Krinsky, writes:

“Over the course of the 2024-2025 testing cycle, we will be analyzing data of the new LSAT Writing prompt to assess its validity and reliability with a long-term goal of providing a scored LSAT Writing assessment that schools may use in their holistic admission process.”

In essence, using the recent changes to the writing section, LSAC plans to gather data regarding its accuracy and assess it in relation to their testing goals. If they deem it reliable, it will become scored. Their desire for a scored writing section seems quite prospective. Thus, future LSAT takers should expect to see this change soon.

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The Implications for Test Takers

Though the writing section is already of importance before it becomes scored, a holistic score decreases the amount of effort it takes for law schools to assess one’s writing ability. As such, the writing section’s importance in the decision for law schools can be expected to increase. In the current system, suppose there is a brilliant writer with a mediocre GPA and LSAT score. The admission teams at law schools may dismiss their application before reading their argumentative writing section. Following the introduction of a holistic score, this writer may have a greater chance of acceptance. Thus, a scored writing section may influence a law school’s decision in the early stages of their admission process.

As the advent of artificial intelligence programs such as Chat GPT continues in schoolwork, it is evident that GPA is no longer an accurate litmus test to assess one’s studiousness. A scored writing section adds a second, less fallible (in terms of susceptibility to AI) rating for law schools to consider. Thus, those who cheat in their undergraduate studies by forgoing the necessary processes to sharpen their argumentative skills will fall upon their own sword during their LSAT journey.

The changes in the writing section allow a more accurate assessment of skills in test takers. As such, they should be celebrated by not only law school admission teams but also by students who deserve those spots.

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Works Cited

Krinsky, Susan. “A New Approach to LSAT Writing Will Debut on July 30, 2024.” LSAC, 4 Mar. 2024, www.lsac.org/blog/new-approach-lsat-writing-will-debut-july-30-2024.

“LSAT Argumentative Writing and How to Prepare.” 7Sage, 7sage.com/lessons/lsat-writing/lsat-argumentative-writing/the-new-lsat-writing-and-how-to-prepare. Accessed 18 Sept. 2025.

“Mission & History.” LSAC, www.lsac.org/about/mission-history. Accessed 18 Sept. 2025.