A great way to learn about what's important to someone is to see how they spend limited resources. This is just as true about the LSAT test makers as anyone else. But we're so accustomed to answering the questions they ask us that we don't stop to listen to what they have to say about the test.We know that LSAC puts a lot of time and money into creating each test. Those are limited resources. It's reasonable, then, for us to assume that each question on every LSAT is included only because the test makers decided after great thought that it was a good way to acheive the purpose of the … [Read more...]
Which LSAT Has the Toughest Curve?
"Everyone and their mother takes the test in September," a student recently told me. "I think I'm gonna sit that one out." Why, I asked? Is it all the mothers? He looked confused. No, his mother wasn't actually taking the test with him (duh!), but the September administration is so popular that he was afraid the curve would be much tougher. That, and all the test-centers in New York were already booked up, so he'd have to drive up to Connecticut (Canada?), and you don't do that unless you have a pony or have a morbid curiosity about poutine.Fine, I said. All valid points, except for one: … [Read more...]
Batman vs. Superman is You vs. LSAC
The title's weird, I know. Let me explain.There's a highly-anticipated movie coming out in March 2016 that you may have heard about called "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," featuring, as the name suggests, a showdown between two of DC Comics' most legendary heroes: the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel. Now don't worry (or perhaps get your hopes up) I'm not going to launch into a deep analysis of Zack Snyder's upcoming flick. Frankly, that's neither my area of interest or expertise; I'd be hopelessly out of my element at Comic-Con.Instead, the barrage of early online advertising got … [Read more...]
How is Everyone Else Preparing for the LSAT?
Do you ever wonder? Almost everyone does, but shouldn't. First of all, how others prepare for the LSAT isn't a big deal because it doesn't directly impact you. Second, it really doesn't matter because no one else will be taking the exam for you (unless you bribed someone to take your exam, in which case you've got way bigger problems heading your way than choosing a prep method!).Fortunately, instead of just guessing about what other people do, we can get a good general sense from the test makers themselves. LSAC's The Summary of Self-Reported Methods of Test Preparation by LSAT Takers for … [Read more...]
Help! My LSAT Scores Were Held!
We've heard our fair share of panicked LSAT takers all with the same frenzied query: "LSAC says that my LSAT scores are on hold! I don't know how I did on the test! What happened? What can I do?" Thankfully, with a little research, we found out what was going on--and can give you a little guidance on what to do.Let's first start with how LSAC defines "held" scores: [A] hold will prevent the release of your LSAT score(s) and all LSAT and Credential Assembly Service (CAS) reporting to you and to law schools. If you order publications, shipping delays may also result. If the balance due is … [Read more...]
LSAT Score Release Dates: Scheduled vs. Actual Comparison 2004-2020
This article was last updated November 24th, 2020. As the score release date for each LSAT administration nears, tensions run high among test takers. The moment of truth is at hand, and you're days or even hours from knowing exactly how you did. In the past, LSAC confused things further by nearly always releasing scores days in advance of their "official score release date." Because of this, there was uncertainty and anxiety about the process. However, in response to our Twitter suggestions and our open letter to LSAC about release times, they changed policy and started releasing scores on … [Read more...]
LSAC Law Forum Etiquette
Don't know what an LSAC Law Forum is? You should! Law forums are events held in various major cities around the country where prospective law students have an opportunity to talk personally with representatives from ABA-approved law schools. Almost every ABA-approved law school sends representatives to these events, which are held in hotels and conference centers. These reps have information and documentation about their schools, and are also available to talk to students and answer questions.If you're a prospective law applicant, law forums are a great opportunity to get your questions … [Read more...]
What Does It Mean When an LSAT is “Nondisclosed”?
If you've ever taken an LSAT or looked through the LSAC website, you probably familiar with the notice LSAC places on every LSAT registration page. It's easy to miss, and it really should be in big, bold red flashing letters--taking a nondisclosed LSAT is actually a pretty big deal. But why? What is a Disclosed Test? Let's first start by explaining to what the terms disclosed and nondisclosed apply. They don't actually apply to the specific topics of the questions on the test, or to what you need to do for the test. They apply to what happens after the test; specifically, to what you get … [Read more...]
Accommodations for the LSAT Part V: The Controversy Continued, DOJ Joins the Party
Part 1 of this discussion dealt with a case that LSAC filed in response to recent California legislation regarding the issue of "flagging" LSAT scores (distinguishing the score reports of those with special accommodations from those who take the LSAT under standard conditions). In that case, LSAC was successful in its challenge to the brand new legislation, but then later agreed to stop the practice. Part Two deals with a major cases filed against LSAC. The DFEH and DOJ Consent Decree The Justice Department announced in September 2012 its intent to intervene in a case that began as a … [Read more...]
Cheating on the LSAT Part II: Enforcement
Part 1 of this blog can be found here.To prevent cheating, over the years LSAC has gradually tightened restrictions on test takers in test centers. For example, cell phones are no longer allowed in the test center, and now a picture ID is required upon check-in. These protocols are in place to help assure LSAC that you are who you say you are, and that you can't easily communicate with other test takers during the exam. But the security measures don't stop there. LSAC has also contracted Caveon Test Security as their test security vendor. What does that mean? It means that in a concerted … [Read more...]
Cheating on the LSAT Part I: A Short History
For as long as there have been standardized tests, there have been attempts to cheat on those tests. The LSAT is no exception, and cheating schemes have ranged from clever to absurd. The two cases that received the most press coverage: The Theft of the February 1997 LSAT in Southern California In this scheme, cooked up over a five-month period, a copy of the February 1997 LSAT was stolen from a University of Southern California test center at knifepoint. Attempting to exploit the Hawaii-California time zone difference, answers were then transmitted to two test takers in Hawaii via pager. … [Read more...]
Accommodations for the LSAT Part IV: The Controversy of Score Flagging
The issue of accommodated testing is a challenging one for many reasons. From the thousands of requests that the Law School Admission Council receives each year, the council must determine, on a case-by-case basis, which applicants should get accommodations, and what accommodations are appropriate. Over the past few years these issues have been getting more attention, as the council has defended a number of lawsuits based on claims about how the LSAC deals with such requests. Score Flagging One particularly controversial issue concerns LSAC’s practice of distinguishing test scores achieved … [Read more...]
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. … [Read more...]
Accommodations for the LSAT Part II: Applying for Accommodated Testing
In Part 1 of this series on LSAC test taking accommodations and the LSAT, we discussed various test takers who might require special accommodations for their LSAT administrations, as well as some of the kinds of test-taking accommodations granted by the LSAC. In this installment we look at the application process for special accommodations.LSAC strongly encourages you to submit all of your documentation as early as possible to ensure the maximum amount of time for consideration. In other words, while they do encourage test-takers with documented disabilities to apply for such … [Read more...]