March 4, 2016

Accommodations for the LSAT Part III: The Facts

Now that we’ve discussed the accommodations available and the process for gaining those accommodations, let’s look at some of the facts surrounding the accommodation process. Facts reported and statements made here are based on LSAT Technical Reports, primarily this one. Let’s present the info in a series of questions and answers:

Q: How many people apply for LSAT accommodations?

A: Each year, several thousand people seek LSAT accommodations. For example, 2016-2017, saw 3,789 requests for accommodations.

Q: How successful are their requests?

A: LSAC grants about 46-79% requests each year. So, think about that for a moment: if you go through the process of requesting accommodations (which is lengthy), you have roughly a 50-75% chance on receiving those accommodations.

Q: What disabilities most frequently result in successful LSAT accommodations request?

A: The Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder classification is the most approved accommodations in recent years.

Q: What LSAT accommodation is the most common?

A: Extra LSAT testing time is the most frequently granted accommodation. Next, extra rest time (break between sections) is the second most commonly granted request.

Q: How much extra time is available?

A: Time-and-a-half is the most frequently granted timing accommodation, with over 50% of the approvals being in this category (as of 2012). Additionally, double time is also common.

Q: Can I get more than double time to take the LSAT?

A: Yes.

Q: So, does the extra time help?

A: It seems to help quite a bit! First, from observations, the extra time allows students to fully complete each section. Second, according to LSAC, test takers “who switched from standard to Accommodated/Extra Time testing conditions exhibited very high score gains on average.” The score gains reported in a 2012 study were 7.57 points.

So, now you know a bit more about the accommodations granted, the process, and the some of the facts surrounding the process. In the next part of our series, we’ll discuss some of the controversies that have swirled around LSAC as they administer this program.

Accommodations for the LSAT Series

Noah Koeppel
July 29, 2017 at 2:24am
Hello,
Question about extra time and the experimental section. Did the LSAT get rid of the extra time exemption from the 5th experimental section and require everyone to take 5 scored sections + writing or do extra time test takers only have to take 4 scored sections + writing (no experimental)?
Thanks!

Dave Killoran
July 29, 2017 at 4:55pm
Hey Noah,
Yes, they have started making Accommodated test takers go through the experimental. I believe it started last year, and it came without warning (an unpleasant surprise to be sure).
I’ll update the above asap. Thanks!

Anon
August 12, 2017 at 10:24pm
Would LSAC consider english as a second language a valid reason for requesting additional time? I have now taken three diagnostics and the timing is so difficult. I have completed at best 15 to 17 questions in LR, 2 passages in RC, and 3 games. I can master the techniques for the games, but other sections that involve reading AND understanding at a fast pace are extremely challenging. Of the 15-17 I answer, I score over 75% consistently. I just completed the first month of studying, so I’m hopeful that my accuracy will improve the more I understand the techniques. However, the fact I guess 10 questions each section negatively impact my score. I moved to the U.S. at age 19 without speaking english. I’m afraid that my LSAT score may not accurately express my aptitude to succeed in law school. I have always compensated the language barrier by studying longer because for each time it will take a native speaker to read and understand something, it takes me at twice the time. Is that sufficient to be granted additional time?

Dave Killoran
August 12, 2017 at 11:55pm
Hi Anon,
Thanks for the message. Very unfortunately, they will not grant extra time for ESL students. This is a proven fact, and one they never vary from. So, I wish I had better news there, but unfortunately not.
What I would recommend you do is take the TOEFL and write an addendum that explains your LSAT score in this context. Let the admissions committees know that this affected your score. Placed in that context, your score will look a lot better, and might spur a school to realize you are actually scoring extremely well given the language issue.
Thanks!

Justin
September 08, 2017 at 4:21pm
Hey I just have a quick question…. I have extended time (time and a half) for the lsat and was wondering if it works the same way as the act, where they give you simply time and a half for the entire test and you can use your time as you please, or is it exactly time and a half for each section?
Thanks a ton!

Dave Killoran
September 08, 2017 at 4:53pm
Hi Justin,
Thanks for the question! In this case, the 52.5 minutes must be used on the assigned section only. So, you *can’t* jump around, and if you end up with extra time, you have to stay in the section you are on. Sorry about that!

Lauren
November 26, 2017 at 1:17pm
Hi! I am in a very strange situation. I am scheduled to take the December LSAT and I never signed up for accommodations. I was determined to push through this and not use them, however reading is my downfall and I because of severe ADD and ADHD both it’s taking me significantly longer than I was expecting. My question is should I still take the exam on Saturday? I was going to try and submit the paperwork for the Feb for additional time, however I’m concerned they won’t approve it since I’d signed up and taken it prior without accommodations. Should I not take it Saturday? Should I take it and cancel my score? Please advise!
Thanks,
Lauren

Dave Killoran
November 27, 2017 at 5:22pm
Hi Lauren,
Thanks for the questions. Three things:
1. I’ve always been of the mindset that if you know you won’t reach your potential on a given LSAT, there’s no reason to take it. All you are doing is creating a record that memorializes a lower score. If you aren’t ready or you know you won’t have a chance to max out, don’t take it!
2. The above point is easier to take given that LSAC will consider your accommodations application based on its own merits, and won’t penalize you for signing up for the exam in a non-accommodated circumstance. And, although they are still unpredictable, I’ve seen them move much more quickly in recent months with processing apps, which is good for you. If you get the right paperwork in before the deadline, they will process it! Given what you’ve told me, I’d drop December and get on this asap—the extra points on your LSAT will far outweigh any lost time in the application process, as discussed here: https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/does-submitting-an-early-law-school-app….
3. Last, do NOT take it this Saturday and then cancel your score. There’s no point in doing this and you can use that LSAT later as a good practice test. While law schools don’t care much about cancellations, why take one when you know you aren’t keeping your score?
Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!

Jaimie
December 01, 2017 at 9:18pm
Hi Dave,
I doubt this will reach you in time but I am in the same situation as the person above and am very torn about what I should do. I am supposed to take the LSAT tomorrow, but also signed up for February. I did not get accommodations in time and missed the deadline to withdraw from December test. Although on practice tests I’m scoring between 137-144 i worry that magically I’ll get a 150 and get denied accommodations. I read it was better to take the test and cancel your score then to just be absent to the test. What should I do?

Dave Killoran
December 01, 2017 at 11:18pm
Hi Jamie,
No, I make sure to check these daily so this should be in time for you 🙂
My advice to you is similar to the above: don’t take it unless you are *really* ready. The scenario you are hoping for is really wishful thinking, and in my experience, the LSAT is too standardized and rigorous to allow for magical increases like the one you describe.
What’s best to do is simply withdraw as opposed to cancel or be absent, but barring that, absent is actually better. Cancel means you came to the test and couldn’t do it; absent just means you never showed (and who knows why, so no one cares).
I don’t know your accommodations situation, but it makes a huge difference if you get proper testing circumstances, and it’s unfair for you to hamper yourself by taking the test without proper accommodations. It’s already a tall mountain to climb, so why make it taller?
But let’s say you don’t get accommodations. What happens then? you have two more months to study, and where you are right now, that two months can make a big impact. The LSAT is king in law school admissions–it outweighs your GPA, all your extracurriculars, and any jobs you’ve had. Don’t put yourself behind the eight-ball when you know you can score better here 🙂
I hope that helps!

Stephanie
July 17, 2018 at 11:38pm
Hi!
I’m in a bit of a dilemma…I have dyslexia, reading comprehension disability, documented issues with reading fluency and working memory, and to top it all off, I have ADHD too (a lot, I know). I work hard, and usually have extra time given to me for assignments and exams, so I do just fine in school. Standardized tests kill me, though. I had read not to bother reporting ADHD because if you are medicated, your chances of getting accommodations is slim to none, so I reported everything but my ADHD. I had also seen that it is very difficult to get accommodations on the LSAT, so I applied for 50% more time because I was scared to ask for more, and LSAC granted me it.
Well, I’ve been studying for several months and cannot for the life of me even come close to finishing the RC and LR sections. I am, however, able to finish LG sections in the 50% extra time, as those sections don’t involve as much reading comprehension. The RC and LR sections take me forever to read because of my learning disabilities. It didn’t occur to me to ask for double time for just the RC and LR sections and only 50% extra for LG. I was scared they wouldn’t accept my request for more accommodations, so I only requested 50% extra time for everything instead, but am quickly realizing that I really do need double time for those sections involving more reading.
What should I do? Will LSAC reconsider adding more time to LR and RC even though they have already approved me for 50% time? What can I do at this point? I attended two different schools where I received accommodations. One gave me 50% extended time, and the other gave me double. I only sent in the 50% extended time accommodation letter from my school because that was what I was applying for. 50% extra time has usually been fine in for me in school, as my professors do not typically create exams to be this reading intensive or intend for them to take the entire duration of the time.
Is there anything I can do? Should I go back and report my ADHD? Do I have any chance of having LSAC looking over my case again for double time?
I appreciate your help in advance!

Dave Killoran
July 24, 2018 at 11:56pm
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for the message! this is, quite honestly, a lot of detailed information, and it’s so specialized that no one can give you an answer and be certain of what will occur. That alone has given me some hesitation in replying to you, so please take this all with a grain of salt.
I can’t tell how they will treat your ADHD, so I can’t provide any advice there. I do know that *you* shouldn’t be making the determination on how much extra time you apply for; that’s what your doctor should do. So, if you go back in and re-apply for more time (and they won’t give you varying times per section; it applies equally to every section), then you need a doctor to explain why you medically need double time (“I can’t finish” is not an acceptable reason). I would also have said doctor explain why you only applied for half time extra previously, because LSAC will surely want to know what’s changed (and thus, your doctor may need to admit making a mistake with the previous application).
With a reasonable explanation and medically-certified and valid requests, you have a chance of getting double-time, but it’s certainly no guarantee. For anyone else reading: never apply and ask for what you *think* LSAC will give you; ask for what you medically can prove you deserve 🙂 Just make sure to document everything as cleanly and clearly as possible. don’t give them any more reasons to deny you!
Good luck with this, and I’ll be interested to see what they do. Thanks!

Comments

Marica Popjes says
August 17, 2023 at 3:43 pm
Good Afternoon,
I suffer with an IBD. My ulcerative colitis becomes an major issue when my anxiety levels peak.
I have been seeing a gastroenterologist for 4 years and have an official diagnosis as well as medication that I take to try and control it.
Can I get an accommodation for my ulcerative colitis. I am fearful I will have episodes that will interfere with my test taking. If so what are the typical time accommodations?
Reply
- Dave Killoran says
  September 17, 2023 at 1:48 pm
  Yes, you can receive accommodations for this! Start/stop breaks during the test would likely be the best solution.
  Good luck!
  Reply
L.S says
July 2, 2020 at 4:02 pm
Hi Dave,
I am asking for accommodation due to the severe hearing loss that I currently suffer which is accompanied by chronic tinnitus. The specialist that treated me sent all the documentation of the treatment I went through and asked for 50% of extra time, audio therapy, and additional breaks. Additionally, my undergraduate institution sent a letter confirming that I received these accommodations. Do you consider this to be enough to be granted these accommodations?
Thank you for your time.
Reply
- Dave Killoran says
  July 2, 2020 at 4:14 pm
  Hi LS,
  Thanks for the message! Assuming the specialist is medically qualified and the paperwork was done to the letter, then you should be fine. That said, I’m not a doctor and I’m not looking at the paperwork, so I can’t say with 100% certainty 🙂
  Among the primary reasons people get declined are bad paperwork and a lack of a medical opinion, so make sure those are locked down. Good luck!
  Reply
Jack says
June 17, 2020 at 1:29 am
Hey Dave,
1) if I applied for accommodations with all of the necessary forms and a doctors note, is that enough?
2) My doctor didnt specify if he thinks I should get double time or 50% time, however I applied for double. Is it possible they will knock it down to 50% and not grant the double time?
3) Has LSAC been more accommodating during COVID-19 if people can’t get a detailed synopsis of their mental health situation because most non essentials are closed? (Ie does a “pre-corona” doctors note suffice.
Thanks!!!!
Reply
- Dave Killoran says
  June 21, 2020 at 6:42 pm
  Hi Jack,
  Thanks for the message! A few thoughts here:
  1. Assuming they were filled out properly and you made what they consider a reasonable request, then you should be fine.
  2. It is quite possible they will do so. A medical recommendation is often central to time requests. Your opinion of what you need is not relevant, only the doctor’s opinion.
  3. I am not aware that they have made any changes to the guidelines, and would be surprised to hear if they had. A pre-corona diagnosis would be fine, however. I just don’t see them loosening the rules in general due to the virus.
  I hope that is helpful. Please let me know. Thanks!
  Reply
Ernest says
May 19, 2020 at 8:38 pm
Hello,
If one, for example, applied for double time and the LSAC decided to deny their request, is there a possibility that the LSAC give you less additional time (e.g. time and a half) or it can only deny the request altogether so one wouldn’t have any additional time at all? If the former is true, what criterion do they use to decide whether to give one less additional time or deny their request altogether? If the latter is true, then one needs to be very careful with what they request, so how can one assess how much extra time to request?
Thanks!
Reply
- Dave Killoran says
  May 29, 2020 at 5:28 pm
  Hi Ernest,
  Yes, they can offer a lesser accommodation than the one requested, although in recent practice this hasn’t occurred. If your paperwork is in order and medically supported, in the past few years it’s been granted as-is. So, ask for what your doctor thinks is supported and you’ll be fine.
  Thanks!
  Reply
Anonymous says
January 8, 2020 at 8:50 am
Is it possible to take down previous responses to this thread?
Reply
- Dave Killoran says
  January 8, 2020 at 12:45 pm
  The ones in red are typically permanent since they were ported over from an old Forum system we had. But I believe I have solved the problem. Thanks!
  Reply
Nick says
June 27, 2019 at 12:05 am
Hi David,
Is it true that if you have taken the LSAT previously without accommodations and scored a 150 or above, you will not be able to qualify for accommodations for future tests? More specifically for time and a half.
Thanks!
Reply
- Dave Killoran says
  June 27, 2019 at 12:33 am
  NO, that’s totally false! If you have appropriate doctor’s support and verification, it doesn’t matter if you took the test before without accommodations. You are denied/granted only on the basis of the validity of your application, not based on if you took the LSAT before and what score you received.
  Good luck!
  Reply