Important topics to study for LSAT India 2023 preparation

By Dr Jason Dickenson

Appearing for LSAT India 2023? Here are some important topics to study from the sections of the LSAT India question paper.

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) India 2023 will be held in two sessions - January and June, in an online home-based proctored test. The exam authority Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Global announced LSAT India exam pattern 2023 along with the application forms on November 10. Candidates appearing for the law entrance exam can check here important topics to study for LSAT India 2023 as per the revised pattern. 

Latest Update: 

LSAT India 2023 registrations open for June session. Apply here

LSAT India Exam Pattern 2023 

The LSAT India examination is conducted to assess candidates for their Analytical Reasoning (AR), Logical Reasoning (LR), and Reading Comprehension (RC) abilities. The exam pattern of LSAT India 2023 will be as under: 

Sections	Questions per section	Time allotted per section
Analytical Reasoning	23 questions	35 minutes
Logical Reasoning 1	22 questions	35 minutes
Logical Reasoning 2	23 questions	35 minutes
Reading Comprehension	24 questions	35 minutes
Total	92 questions	2 hours 20 minutes

Also Read: LSAT India 2023 syllabus

Important Topics for LSAT India 2023

When it comes to preparing for the LSAT India, there are no particular topics that it are important to study. In fact, there are no questions that test General Knowledge or Current Affairs.  Furthermore, there is no Mathematics on the test, so you do not need to review Geometry or Algebra to prepare for LSAT India 2023. The test will have 92 questions and candidates will get a total 2 hours 20 minutes to attempt the exam. It will comprise three types of questions. About a quarter of the questions on the test assess reading comprehension of longish, complex argumentative passages (‘Reading Comprehension’). Another quarter test the ability to deductively reason about what could or must be true, given a set of facts and rules (‘Analytical Reasoning’). The remainder of the questions half the test assess the ability to analyse, critically evaluate, and complete short arguments that appear in ordinary language (‘Logical Reasoning’).

Important Topics for LSAT India Analytical Reasoning

Arguments are a fundamental part of the law, and analysing arguments is a key element of legal analysis. Training in the law builds on a foundation of basic reasoning skills. Law students must draw on the skills of analysing, evaluating, constructing and refuting arguments. They need to be able to identify what information is relevant to an issue or argument and what impact further evidence might have. They need to be able to reconcile opposing positions and use arguments to persuade others.

Important Topics for LSAT India Logical Reasoning

These are based on short arguments drawn from a wide variety of sources, including newspapers, blogs, general interest magazines, scholarly publications, advertisements, and informal discourse. These arguments mirror legal reasoning in the types of arguments presented and in their complexity, though few of them have law as a subject matter.

Logical Reasoning questions (as well as the other types of questions on the test) provide you with what you need to know to answer them. You do not have to bring specialised background knowledge to the test. Bear in mind that Logical Reasoning questions are focused on the logical connections between the premises that the arguments set out and the conclusions that they draw. Whether the premises are true or false is actually irrelevant! So rather than looking for topics to study or facts to cram, a good place to start in preparing for the LSAT India is to look instead for arguments—they are all around you. When you find them, study them closely to figure out what makes them tick and why they succeed or fail.

Important Topics for LSAT India Reading Comprehension 

Reading is one of the most important things you can do in preparing for the LSAT India. However, there is no particular set of books that you should read. Rather than looking for certain books or a set of materials to read in preparation for the LSAT India, you should extensively practice reading a certain type of material.

LSAT India reading comprehension questions are designed to assess the ability to read, with understanding and insight, examples of lengthy and complex materials similar to those commonly encountered in law school.

Both law school and the practice of law involve extensive reading of highly varied, dense, argumentative and expository texts (for example, cases, codes, contracts, briefs, decisions, evidence). This reading must be exacting, distinguishing precisely what is said from what is not said. It involves comparison, analysis, synthesis, and application (for example, of principles and rules). It involves drawing appropriate inferences and applying ideas and arguments to new contexts. Law school reading also requires the ability to grasp the unfamiliar subject matter and the ability to penetrate difficult and challenging material.

Reading Selections for LSAT India 

Reading Comprehension questions are drawn from a wide range of subjects in the humanities, the social sciences, the biological and physical sciences, and areas related to the law. Generally, the passages are densely written, use high-level vocabulary, and contain sophisticated argument or complex rhetorical structure (for example, multiple points of view). Reading Comprehension questions require you to read carefully and accurately, to determine the relationships among the various parts of the passage, and to draw reasonable inferences from the material in the passage.

The passages are selected so that they can be adequately understood simply on the basis of what they say; you will not need any specialised prior knowledge to understand them. Any technical terms that you need to understand to answer the questions are explained in the passages and all of the questions can be answered on the basis of information given in the passages.

In choosing the material to read in preparation for the LSAT – India, one useful strategy is to read scholarly articles written about a couple of different subjects that you know something about (and maybe have some interest in). Importantly, these articles should make an argument. Read as much as you can, practising picking your selections apart, understanding their main points, structure, tones, and argumentative strengths and weaknesses. 

LSAT India Variable Section (for reference)

Although the Variable section has now been removed from the LSAT India question paper pattern, here are some details about it for reference purpose only.

The section of the LSAT India question paper was 'unscored' and, carried questions similar to logical reasoning, analytical reasoning and reading comprehension. The section was not mentioned separately in the question paper and test-takers were not be able to identify the same. Therefore, it was important that candidates prepared for the section similarly and attempted all the questions in the examination.

Also Read: 

• Last Minute Tips and Exam Day Checklist for LSAT India 2023

About the Author:

Dr Jason Dickenson is a Senior Test Specialist at the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). He writes and reviews questions for LSAT and has managed the creation and administration of the LSAT – India since 2014.

Dr Dickenson joined the Law School Admission Council in 2008, after teaching philosophy for six years at the University of Pittsburgh and at Washington & Jefferson College, both in the state of Pennsylvania (USA). He received his Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies from the University of Arizona and his Master's degree and PhD in Philosophy from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2003, where his research focused on metaphysics.