A recent LSAC study conducted using information voluntarily given from those taking the LSAT over the past few years showed that more men took the LSAT than women, and, on average, men scored higher. So, a lot of people are now saying that men do better on the LSAT. Now, your LSAT sensors should be flaring. There are many flaws in this study. Obviously, this is not a complete sample, only certain people taking the LSAT filled it out the survey, and the information received was not necessarily verified by LSAC or anyone else. Nonetheless, it's interesting information that leads to some even more interesting trends.
Certain trends in respect to gender concerning number of test takers and score results were found. In general, results showed that there are more male test takers than female test takers. During, some of the years, the difference was slight, for example in one year the difference was only 679 more men than women. But, during other years, for example 2008-2009, the difference was around 3800 more men taking the LSAT than women taking the LSAT. The most recent numbers for 2011-2012 showed that 856 more men than women took the LSAT. Interestingly, in 2007-2008 about 60 more women than men took the LSAT.
Based on scores from the past seven years, the scores of men taking the test were on average higher than those of women. Studies showed that from the years of 2005 to 2011 male takers tended to score an average of 151, while female takers were scoring on average 149. In general, the difference in scores across the board tends to be around 2.5 points.
Now, should this information be an indicator of how you will perform on the exam depending on your gender? Of course not! As we discussed in the beginning, there are many holes in this study. LSAC did not differentiate between test takers who took an LSAT prep course and those who did not. There was no information on educational background or number of times the test was taken. And, most of all, this sample was of those who voluntarily filled the info out rather than of everyone who took the LSAT.
The best way to do well on the LSAT is to study hard and efficiently. The more you practice, the better you will do on the exam.
Stop fretting about the silly numbers LSAC has put out from its flawed study, and get back to your LSAT prep!
Happy Studying!
