Spring semester is here and that means another round of upcoming LSAT exams.  Spring LSAT exams are a busy time for test takers who are wrapping up their application efforts, and for test-takers looking to obtain scores for future application cycles.  Below is some helpful information for those planning on sitting for an upcoming LSAT this spring or summer.

The State of the Exam:

Due to the restrictions created by the COVID-19 pandemic, LSAC created a remote, online version of the LSAT  – the LSAT-Flex.  The LSAT-Flex is a three-section multi-choice question exam. The three 35-minute sections are comprised of one section each of the Reading Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning questions. The exam is offered on a remote basis, on multiple dates and times.  In addition to the multiple choice section, students are also required to separately complete the LSAT Writing.   To learn more about the LSAT-Flex visit our prior blog postings, or visit the LSAC website.

Currently, the only available format for the LSAT is the LSAT-Flex.  The LSAT-Flex will be offered for both the February 2021 and April 2021 administrations.  LSAC has not yet released details regarding future test dates or future test formats, however, we have compiled a list of a few key things you should know:

• • • Preparation efforts for the exam should remain fundamentally the same in terms of content, time, and effort.
    • While sitting for a remote, online exam can present challenges, initial analysis suggests that individuals are scoring at the same, or higher, levels as compared to performance levels on the traditional five-section, in-person format.
    • Although test dates and registration is not yet open for 2021 administrations later than April, LSAC has confirmed their intention to offer exams at the approximately same time and at the same frequency as the current testing cycle.  For those hoping to sit for a summer exam, we fully anticipate multiple test dates during the summer 2021 months, and additional dates in the fall semester.
    • We are here to help!  As additional information about the upcoming 2021 administrations is made available we will keep you informed.  If you are considering sitting for an upcoming LSAT exam in the next testing cycle, we highly encourage you to attend our upcoming LSAT Bootcamp on Monday, February 8.  See additional details below!

LSAT Resources

There are many exceptional LSAT resources available to students free of charge!  Below is a highlight of resources available this semester through LSAC and the PLAS office!

LSAT Bootcamp

Join Illinois pre-law students and alumni to learn more about the LSAT exam, LSAC resources, and LSAT study methods and plans at the annual LSAT Bootcamp on February 8^th from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. This year’s Bootcamp will feature presentations by LSAC and KAPLAN.  This event is for any Illini considering attending law school or sitting for the LSAT exam in the upcoming months.

To learn more about the Bootcamp and to register, please visit the PLAS website.  Be sure to also complete the Kaplan event form for complimentary resources and to submit questions in advance!

Sign-up by midnight. Friday, February 5:  https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/47155402

 

LSAT Test Space

Having difficulty identifying a quiet place to take the LSAT?  Pre-Law Advising Services has arranged for a limited number of testing rooms on campus for the upcoming February LSAT-Flex administration. We will do our best accommodate as many students as possible, however, these rooms are available on a first come, first served basis and are limited to current UIUC students due to on-campus COVID-19 testing requirements.

If you are interested in reserving a test space, please fill out this survey by Sunday February 14^th at 5:00 pm.   To review helpful tips about the LSAT flex, including identifying test space, please visit our “Where to take the LSAT-Flex” blog post from this fall.

LSAT Study Groups

Pre-Law Advising Services is once again helping students form study groups for the April (and summer) LSAT. If you are interested in connecting with a group for April and possible future exams, please complete this survey by 5:00 pm on Sunday February 14^th . We will provide guidance and tips for your study group, after which the group may be self-managed. These study groups can begin as early as February 22^nd.

 

Any questions regarding the rooms or groups can be directed to PLAS Graduate Assistant Courtney Koenig at ckoenig3@illinois.edu.

 

LSAC Test Prep Resources 

LSAC provides a wide-variety of free and affordable study prep resources.  Below are links to currently available opportunities:

• • • LSAT Prep: There is a free and $99 version.  The free version provides four online practice tests!
    • Kahn Academy:  Free interactive lessons, timed practice tests, strategies, tips, and more…
    • LSAT Test Books: These are self-study books available at low cost.  Some books may also be purchased used!
    • Official LSAT Content Licensees:  A collection of test prep companies that have licensed official LSAT content.  There is a wide-variety of programs offered by these companies.  We do not recommend any particular company, but do encourage you to work with an option from this list if you do decide to purchase a study program/course.

Financial Concerns?  Applying to law school requires a significant financial investment.  To assist students who have financial needs, LSAC offers the Fee Waiver program.  This program includes the cost of two LSAT exam registrations,  free prep resources, and much more!  To learn more about the LSAC Fee Waiver program click here.

January, February, and April 2021 LSAT Exams will now be LSAT-Flex format…

Below, please see the details released today from LSAC regarding the January, February, and April 2021 LSAT Exams.

Given the continuing COVID-19 emergency, LSAC has made the decision to offer the online, remotely proctored LSAT-Flex for the last three test administrations in the current testing cycle, instead of the in-person tests previously scheduled. 

This means the January LSAT (U.S./Canada/International), the February LSAT (U.S./Canada only), and the April LSAT (U.S./Canada/International) will now be delivered in the LSAT-Flex format only. 

The LSAT-Flex gives candidates the opportunity to earn an LSAT score and continue their law school journeys despite COVID-19 restrictions on travel or public gatherings. Over the past six months, LSAC has taken an incremental approach to canceling the in-person LSATs one by one and replacing them with LSAT-Flex administrations, based on public health guidance. Given the ongoing disruption and uncertainty over how the COVID-19 situation will evolve, and feedback from candidates, the decision was made to provide clarity for the next six months, so that everyone can plan accordingly.

The January, February, and April LSAT-Flex administrations will begin on the same date as the previously announced in-person tests. Most test takers will test on Saturday or Sunday of that week, with some tests occurring later in the week based on test taker volumes or specific remote proctoring requirements. These LSAT-Flex administrations will count toward the annual, multi-year, and lifetime limits on taking the LSAT, and due to the demands of the LSAT-Flex administration, these will be undisclosed tests.

Learn more about the LSAT-Flex and see answers to frequently asked questions on the LSAC website. You can also learn more about deadlines for requesting formal accommodations, how to request assistance with a loaner device or a quiet place in which to test, deadlines for changing a test date, and score release dates for each of the LSAT-Flex administrations on our “Test Dates, Deadlines, and Score Release Dates” page.

What do test takers need to do?

• • • • Candidates currently registered for any of the January, February, or April 2021 in-person LSAT administrations may take the corresponding LSAT-Flex, or opt out by Friday, November 13, 2020, and receive a full refund. They should visit their LSAC account and submit the online form with their choice. If we do not hear from a test taker by November 13, they will be registered automatically for the LSAT-Flex corresponding to their current LSAT registration(s).  

• • • • LSAC is working to help every test taker in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and Canada have the equipment and other resources they need to take the online, remotely proctored exam and do their best work. Any candidate who does not have the necessary equipment or an appropriate place to test should submit an online form in their LSAC account by the deadline for each administration (generally about 3-4 weeks before the onset of testing). For the first five administrations of the LSAT-Flex, LSAC shipped more than 1,500 free loaner devices to candidates who did not have a computer to take the online test, and guaranteed hotel reimbursements to hundreds more who needed reliable internet or a quiet place to test.

• • • • Because the LSAT-Flex is an online, remotely proctored test, LSAC is able to offer a variety of test start times for test takers to choose from. LSAC will continue to open the scheduling sign-up process about 10 days before the first day of testing for each of the LSAT-Flex administrations, so test takers can select the available time that works best for them. Test takers will receive more information and instructions prior to that time.

• • • • LSAC has created a new score preview option for first-time test takers who wish to see their score before deciding whether or not to keep it. The score preview option costs $45 for test takers who sign up by 11:59 p.m. ET on the day before the first day of testing for each LSAT-Flex administration, or $75 if test takers sign up after testing has concluded. You can see the exact score preview sign-up periods for the January and April 2021 test administrations at the “Test Dates, Deadlines, and Score Release Dates” page for each administration. First-time test takers who have an approved LSAT fee waiver will receive score preview free of charge. You can learn more about the score preview option here.

• • • • As a reminder, all test takers must have a completed LSAT Writing sample on file in order to see their score or have their score released to law schools. To help candidates complete the writing portion of their test, LSAC now opens LSAT Writing eight (8) days prior to every test administration. If a candidate already has a writing sample on file from a previous exam, they do not need to complete a new LSAT Writing sample. For more information about LSAT Writing, visit our website.

• • • • LSAC  recommends test takers familiarize themselves with the format and content of the LSAT-Flex using the free Official LSAT Prep practice tests available on LSAC’s LawHub or the free, personalized LSAT Prep resources we have created in conjunction with Khan Academy.

For more information, please visit LSAC.org