As of June 2019, the unscored LSAT Writing is administered separately from the scored multiple-choice portion of the LSAT. LSAC made this change in order to make the testing day shorter for students. The LSAT Writing is administered digitally through a secure online platform. The administration is on-demand and proctored remotely. This means that the LSAT Writing can completed at the time and place of the test takers’ choosing.
When you register for the LSAT you will be able to complete the LSAT Writing portion of the test up to eight days prior to the official administration of the multiple-choice portion of the LSAT or any time after, so long as it is completed within one year. LSAC encourages students to complete the LSAT Writing as soon as possible and will withhold students’ scores on the multiple-choice portion of their LSAT until they have completed their LSAT Writing. As such, it’s best practice to complete your LSAT Writing within a couple weeks of completing your the official multiple-choice portion of the LSAT.
The LSAT Writing response is shared with the student and the schools to which they are applying as soon as it has been submitted. Students need to have at least one writing sample on file in order for their LSAT to be considered complete.
In order to complete the digital administration of the LSAT Writing you will need to have access to a computer running Windows or Mac operating system that has a webcam, microphone, only one connected monitor, and an internet connection. You will be required to download and install a secure browser that remotely proctors the test and show your ID at the beginning of the test.
The LSAT Writing is a timed, 35-minute section that requires you to write an essay in response to a given prompt. In the essay you are to take one of two possible positions and back up your positions with reasoning. There is no correct or incorrect position to take. You could take either position and still successfully complete the writing exercise. The prompt will lay out a conflict, give you the two possible positions you can take, and give you information that you can use to support your position and refute the other.
The LSAT Writing is unscored, does not affect the scoring of the multiple-choice test, and is comparatively of very little importance. As long as you take a position, use the provided evidence to support you position, and avoid egregious spelling or grammatical errors, it will probably not significantly impact your law school application.
Most students find that practicing one LSAT Writing from a past test is sufficient preparation for completing the official LSAT Writing.
For more information on the LSAT Writing, please see LSAC’s website here: https://www.lsac.org/lsat/taking-lsat/about-lsat-writing