With entrance to law school becoming more and more competitive, the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is playing a large role in determining the fate of the candidates. It’s not enough to just pass the test, successful applicants need to ace it. Students with a 3.5 GPA are a dime a dozen, but LSAT scores of 165 and higher show your analytical thinking ability in it’s best light.

The LSAT is offered by the Law School Admission Council and is necessary for admission to the more than 200 law schools who are members of the LSAC. Though there are hundreds of test locations, not all test dates are available at all test centers. Check the LSAC website for exam schedules and sites. You can register for the LSAT either online, by telephone or by mail. But do yourself a favor and signup on time. There is a late registration period available, but you will pay an extra $64 for the privilege. For those students who celebrate the Sabbath on Saturday, alternative exams are usually given on the Monday following the regular Saturday tests or the June exam is given on a Monday.

The LSAT is given four times a year in February, June, October and December and includes five 35 minute multiple choice sections and a 35 minute writing sample at the end. Four of the five multiple choice sections are scored…the non-scored one is used to check new test questions. You may not know which is which, so be prepared to give full attention to all sections. The four scored sections will fall into the following categories: reading comprehension, analytical reasoning and two of logical reasoning. The writing sample is not scored either, but a copy of it is sent to all law schools to which you apply, so you want to put forth your best effort.

Once you’ve decided to take the LSAT, your next step is preparation. You can find sample questions and tests on the LSAC website, as well as on various LSAT test preparation sites such as Kaplan. Question categories are consistent from test to test, so once you’ve completed a few sample exams, you will have a good idea of what’s coming. If the sample tests aren’t sufficient to make you feel comfortable, there are courses available both online and in a classroom setting. The online courses have the advantage of being accessible 24 hours per day, important for someone who may be juggling a busy work and school schedule. Taking the course in the classroom allows direct interaction with the teacher, as well as forcing you to focus to be prepared for class.

Scoring is based on the number of correct answers given. If you find yourself coming down to the end of a section and you have several blanks, make sure you get some answer marked. Even guessing, you’ll have a 20% chance of a correct answer and if you could eliminate any definitely wrong answers, your percentage goes up.

The laws in Maryland regarding car accidents can be confusing and many drivers misunderstand key facts and regulations. Before you get behind the wheel in Baltimore, learn which commonly held beliefs about car accidents are fact and which are fiction.

1. Fact or Fiction: Drunk drivers cause most accidents. Since you don’t drink and you’re rarely on the road after “happy hour,” you have nothing to worry about.

Fiction: According to the Maryland State Highway Administration, car accidents caused by inattentive or distracted drivers outnumbered those caused by drunk or impaired drivers — by almost five-to-one. So don’t assume that because you drive responsibly and don’t drink, it can’t happen to you; driver distraction occurs at all hours of the day and in all kinds of driving conditions.

2. Fact or Fiction: If another driver hits my car, their insurance company will pay for my damages and injuries.

Fiction: Auto insurance is mandatory — but the reality is that not everyone on the road is covered. In fact, auto insurance within Baltimore is typically much more expensive than other cities in Maryland. As a result, low income drivers who rely on their cars to get to work may skimp on insurance to save costs. The bottom line — just because you obey the law and have insurance for your vehicle does not mean the other driver does.

3. Fact or Fiction: You don’t need to pay for Maryland Personal Injury Protection because you already have health insurance that will help cover my costs if you are injured.

Fiction: Maryland Personal Injury Protection or PIP is a type of coverage you can purchase with your auto insurance policy that pays medical bills and lost wages caused by car accident injuries. While coverage only extends to the amount your policy covers, it is worth purchasing. The benefits included in PIP are available regardless of what other benefits you may receive from other sources (including the other driver, if he or she is at fault), and your health insurance won’t pay for lost wages. PIP also covers medical costs for your passengers in addition to you.

4. Fact or Fiction: Responsibility in a car accident is pretty cut and dry; anyone can tell who was to blame.

Fiction: Determine responsibility in a car accident can actually be quite complex. Police reports, witnesses and detailed accident scene investigations can all play an important role in evaluating the cause of an accident and who was at fault.

5. Fact or Fiction: If you’re injured in a car accident, you need an attorney.

Fact: An experienced attorney can help protect your rights following a traumatic injury. You can concentrate on your recovery while your legal counsel investigates your claim, determines who was at fault and prepares a case with your best interests in mind.

Come to the lawyers who handle only personal injury cases. Let the Law Offices of Plaxen & Adler put the expertise to work for you!

With 9 convenient offices and over 50 years of combined legal experience, the firm is one of the most recognized personal injury law firms in Maryland. Since 1982, the Law Offices of Plaxen & Adler has been helping victims just like you. Unlike most law firms, the firm only handle personal injury cases.

Big insurance companies have lawyers who are paid to make sure you receive little or no money for your injuries. If you don’t hire the right lawyer, you could lose some or all of your legal rights. The Law Offices of Plaxen & Adler will work hard to protect your interests and get you the best result possible.