Writing sample 30 or 35 minutes long? Forum

[ignoramus]

I know the writing sample is basically not important at all, but I was just curious because some sources say it's 35 minutes and others (my copy of the LGB) say it's 30. Which is it?

And another question.... Is using an old version of the LGB (2003 edition) bad?

[lawgod]

35. When I took it, they announced 30, and I called out 35. The whole room groaned at me.

[Jeffort]

You get 35 minutes for the writing sample. Until several years ago it used to be 30 minutes so some older materials and older stuff on the net still has the old information.

The LGB was expanded and updated in 2008. The old version is about 221 pages, the current expanded version is 402 pages. You will miss out on 181 pages of instruction if you stick with the old edition.

[lawgod]

And I'd like to take this opportunity to say that I am a big fan of LGB.

[3ThrowAway99]

35. When I took it, they announced 30, and I called out 35. The whole room groaned at me.

I ran out of time on the writing sample section, and could have sworn we were given 5 minutes less than we were supposed to be given. It sounds like there may be some confusion or inconsistency about this even with the proctors, which I find concerning.

[omninode]

It's 35 but with the limited amount of space you have and the limited potential of the topic given, you will probably finish well under 30.

[ignoramus]

Thanks for your answers.

One last question... Has the LRB been substantially changed in any way since its original publication? Or would having the original edition of this one be okay?

[3ThrowAway99]

It's 35 but with the limited amount of space you have and the limited potential of the topic given, you will probably finish well under 30.

Not necessarily.

[ignoramus]

Oh one MORE question (sorry).... If I have the 2003 edition of the LGB as a PDF, but I have all of the PowerScore class books for an online class that I will be starting soon, would you say it's still necessary to get the 2008 version? I was just gonna use the 2003 edition to start studying until the actual online class starts.

[citykitty]

It's 35 but with the limited amount of space you have and the limited potential of the topic given, you will probably finish well under 30.

Not necessarily.

Does it take anyone more than 15-20 minutes? Really? Even if you make an outline? I just don't see it taking 30 minutes much less 35.

[wvu]

It's 35 but with the limited amount of space you have and the limited potential of the topic given, you will probably finish well under 30.

Not necessarily.

Does it take anyone more than 15-20 minutes? Really? Even if you make an outline? I just don't see it taking 30 minutes much less 35.

I wrote mine in about 15, brooded on it for 10 more, realized I had more I wanted to write and finished right before they called time.

[LSATPREPPER]

Took me about 30 minutes to complete.

[3ThrowAway99]

It's 35 but with the limited amount of space you have and the limited potential of the topic given, you will probably finish well under 30.

Not necessarily.

Does it take anyone more than 15-20 minutes? Really? Even if you make an outline? I just don't see it taking 30 minutes much less 35.

Yes, it does for some, but obviously not for everyone. I would think that the people who literally only spend 15 minutes on the writing sample (and then sit there doing nothing for the other 15 minutes) are actually the ones in the vast minority. But gratz if you can finish so quickly and have done a good job with it. Hopefully the same timing surplus will also apply for you in each of the other sections where it actually matters more.