As of June 2019, the unscored Writing Section of the LSAT is administered separately from the scored multiple-choice portion of the test. LSAC made this change in order to make the testing day shorter for students. The Writing Section is administered digitally through a secure online platform. The administration is on-demand and proctored remotely. This means that the Writing Section can completed at the time and place of the test takers’ choosing.
When you register for the LSAT you will automatically be able to complete the Writing Section of the test, starting on the day of your official LSAT administration. LSAC encourages students to complete the written portion of the test as soon as possible. The maximum time students have to complete the writing sample is one year from the day of their official LSAT administration.
The Writing Section 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 Writing Section 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 Writing Section 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 pass the writing section. 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 Writing Section is unscored, does not affect the scoring of the multiple-choice test, and is comparatively of very little importance. As long as you write something down it will probably not affect your chance of admission to law schools. Just be sure to take the section seriously as skipping it or writing nonsense could keep you from getting admitted.
It’s best to spend as little time worrying about the Writing Section as possible. Most students find that practicing one Writing Section from a past test is sufficient preparation for completing the official Writing Section.
For more information on the Writing Section of the LSAT, please see LSAC’s website here: https://www.lsac.org/lsat/taking-lsat/about-lsat-writing