## **Learning Outcomes**

After reading this article, you will be able to:

- Identify the structure and function of the LSAT experimental section;
- Distinguish between scored and unscored sections;
- Explain how the experimental section might affect your timing and test-taking approach;
- Apply best practices to avoid common pitfalls relating to the experimental section.  
  You will be prepared to recognize and adjust to the experimental section on exam day.

## **LSAT Syllabus**

For LSAT, you are required to understand how the experimental section operates and its implications for your exam strategy. When revising, focus on the following points for this topic:

- the structure and role of the LSAT experimental (unscored) section
- identifying scored versus unscored sections
- how the experimental section influences timing, pacing, and question approach
- the impact of the experimental section on reported scores and law school applications

## **Test Your Knowledge**

_Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision._

1. What is the experimental section on the LSAT designed to do?
2. How can you tell which section is the experimental one while testing?
3. Does performance on the experimental section affect your reported LSAT score?
4. True or false: The LSAT always notifies test-takers during the exam which section is experimental.

## **Introduction**

The LSAT includes a section referred to as the "experimental" or "variable" section. Many candidates are unaware of its precise function or impact. For preparation and effective test-day planning, you must know why this section exists, how it appears in the test, and the key implications for strategy.

## What is the LSAT Experimental Section?

The experimental section presents new or pretested questions to help the test-makers evaluate and calibrate future LSAT content. Unlike scored sections, questions you answer here do not contribute to your official score.

> **Key Term: experimental section**
> An unscored section of the LSAT featuring new or pretested questions that do not impact the test-taker's official results.
>
> **Key Term: scored section**
> A section where performance directly contributes to your final LSAT score.

## Structure and Identification

On test day, the LSAT presents multiple sections covering logical reasoning and reading comprehension. The experimental section is indistinguishable from scored sections in both format and question type. It may appear as either logical reasoning or reading comprehension, depending on the test version.

> **Key Term: section order**
> The sequence in which LSAT sections are administered. The experimental section can appear in any position except as the writing sample.

## Can You Spot the Experimental Section?

You cannot reliably identify which section is experimental while you are taking the test. The test-makers intentionally make it similar to scored sections. You may only learn which was unscored when you receive your score report—if at all.

> **Key Term: answer disclosure**
> The process by which certain LSAT test forms allow candidates to view which questions and answers were scored or unscored, depending on test administration policies.

## Impact on Scoring

Questions in the experimental section do not affect your LSAT score or your percentile rank. Law schools do not receive any scores or information regarding your answers from the unscored section.

### **Exam Warning**

> Many students look for "weird" questions or "harder" sections to spot the experimental portion, but this approach is unreliable and risks mismanaging your time or effort.

## Strategy and Approach

Because the experimental section is indistinguishable during the test, approach every section as if it will contribute to your score. Apply your regular pacing, annotation, and process-of-elimination strategies to all multiple-choice sections.

### **Worked Example 1.1**

A candidate notices an unusually difficult reading comprehension section midway through her LSAT. She assumes it is the experimental section and decides to move quickly through it to "save energy" for other sections. What is the risk in this strategy?

> **Answer:** The section could be scored, not experimental. By treating it differently, she may lower her official score if she misjudged, inadvertently increasing errors on a scored section.

### **Revision Tip**

> Do not try to guess which section is experimental. Treat all non-writing sections with full effort and focus.

## Placement of the Experimental Section

The experimental section may occur in any order before the writing sample. For example, it may be Section 2 or Section 4. You will not be told which until after the test, if at all. In rare administrations, the experimental section may be omitted, but you should always expect its presence.

## Why Does the Experimental Section Exist?

The test-makers use experimental sections to evaluate the fairness, difficulty, and clarity of possible future LSAT questions. This helps ensure future exam integrity and standardization across different test versions.

### **Worked Example 1.2**

A test-taker completes five multiple-choice sections and a writing sample. She notes that one logical reasoning section seemed "strange" and worries it will lower her overall score. Should she be concerned?

> **Answer:** No. If that section was the experimental section, her performance on it does not impact her score. However, since she could not know at the time, she was right to give her best effort to every section.

## Experimental Section and Law School Reporting

All law schools receive the official LSAT score (120-180) based on only the scored sections. No law school will see which questions or sections were experimental, nor will they review your answers to experimental questions.

## Experimental Section: Timing and Breaks

The additional experimental section slightly increases the overall length of the LSAT. Time yourself accordingly during the test, ensuring you maintain steady energy and focus throughout all sections, including those that turn out to be unscored.

## Common Misconceptions

Many believe they can spot the unscored section by difficulty or question type. In reality, experimental sections are written to the same standard as scored sections and may be any difficulty level.

### **Additional Exam Warning**

> Dismissing or deprioritizing a challenging section risks lost points—always treat every section as scored.

## **Key Point Checklist**

_This article has covered the following key knowledge points:_

- The LSAT includes an experimental section of unscored questions
- You cannot identify the experimental section during the test
- Every multiple-choice section should be treated as if it is scored
- The experimental section does not impact your official LSAT score
- Section order and content do not reveal which section is experimental
- Law schools never see or use your performance on experimental sections

## **Key Terms and Concepts**

- experimental section
- scored section
- section order
- answer disclosure

LSAT format overview - Experimental section details