| |
| |
How to analyze the real world, LSAT-style
August 2020 LSAT LSAC Email re: Social Distancing
LSAC Email re: August 2020 LSAT and social distancing:
"Thank you for registering for the August LSAT. Given the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are working to ensure that all test takers are placed in a test center close to their preferred location and that enables appropriate social distancing and adherence to public health guidelines. We are assigning you to [Insert City Name] Area Test Center.
We will provide the exact location of your test center in your LSAC online account approximately two weeks before your exam date. If you have a question or concern, please email LSACinfo@lsac.org or call 215.968.1001. Please do not reply to this email, as this email box is unmonitored."
"Thank you for registering for the August LSAT. Given the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are working to ensure that all test takers are placed in a test center close to their preferred location and that enables appropriate social distancing and adherence to public health guidelines. We are assigning you to [Insert City Name] Area Test Center.
We will provide the exact location of your test center in your LSAC online account approximately two weeks before your exam date. If you have a question or concern, please email LSACinfo@lsac.org or call 215.968.1001. Please do not reply to this email, as this email box is unmonitored."
July LSAT-Flex LSAC Email
"I hope you are staying safe and healthy, and that you had a good Memorial Day weekend. I am writing to provide you with several updates on upcoming test administrations and other LSAC news.
Given the continued uncertainties and health risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made the decision to replace the in-person LSAT scheduled for July 13 in the U.S. and Canada with an LSAT-Flex administration, which would occur the week of July 12 with scores available on July 30. We have also extended the July test registration deadline to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday, June 1, to allow additional time for candidates to register given the new testing dates and format.
In addition, the in-person paper-and-pencil International LSAT scheduled for June 27-28 will also be cancelled, and those international test takers will have the option of taking the LSAT-Flex during the week of July 12 as well.
As you may know, we recently delivered the first LSAT-Flex administration in the U.S. and Canada, which was generally quite successful. Nearly 10,000 candidates took the LSAT-Flex between May 18 and 22. While some test takers experienced technical difficulties with their computers, internet connection, or the proctoring process, 99% of test takers who started the test successfully completed it. We are using the experience of delivering the May exam to make future LSAT-Flex administrations even better.
Our next LSAT-Flex administration is scheduled for the week of June 14, so we will continue to learn and apply any lessons to the July LSAT-Flex administration.
LSAC has today opened up registration for all of the remaining tests in the 2020-2021 testing cycle. While it is too soon to predict how the ongoing COVID-19 emergency will affect the format or dates of these tests, we will continue doing everything we can to support our law school candidates and provide testing opportunities, while following public health guidance to help protect the safety of test takers and the broader community.
We also announced today that the prices for all LSAC services – testing, CAS, school reports, cancellation fees, and other services – will remain at their 2019-2020 levels. While the cost of providing many of these services continues to rise, LSAC is committed to closing the gap through greater efficiency in order to keep candidate costs as low as possible.
You can find more information about the LSAT-Flex at our LSAT-Flex Frequently-Asked-Questions page, and more information about 2020-2021 registration and pricing at LSAC.org. If you are in contact with candidates who want to familiarize themselves with the format and content of the LSAT-Flex, we recommend using the free Official LSAT Prep practice tests available on LSAC’s LawHub.
We remain committed to supporting candidates, schools, and our entire legal education community in every way that we can during this extraordinarily difficult time.
Please let us know if you have any questions and thank you for your continued support and the guidance you are providing to candidates!"
Given the continued uncertainties and health risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made the decision to replace the in-person LSAT scheduled for July 13 in the U.S. and Canada with an LSAT-Flex administration, which would occur the week of July 12 with scores available on July 30. We have also extended the July test registration deadline to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday, June 1, to allow additional time for candidates to register given the new testing dates and format.
In addition, the in-person paper-and-pencil International LSAT scheduled for June 27-28 will also be cancelled, and those international test takers will have the option of taking the LSAT-Flex during the week of July 12 as well.
As you may know, we recently delivered the first LSAT-Flex administration in the U.S. and Canada, which was generally quite successful. Nearly 10,000 candidates took the LSAT-Flex between May 18 and 22. While some test takers experienced technical difficulties with their computers, internet connection, or the proctoring process, 99% of test takers who started the test successfully completed it. We are using the experience of delivering the May exam to make future LSAT-Flex administrations even better.
Our next LSAT-Flex administration is scheduled for the week of June 14, so we will continue to learn and apply any lessons to the July LSAT-Flex administration.
LSAC has today opened up registration for all of the remaining tests in the 2020-2021 testing cycle. While it is too soon to predict how the ongoing COVID-19 emergency will affect the format or dates of these tests, we will continue doing everything we can to support our law school candidates and provide testing opportunities, while following public health guidance to help protect the safety of test takers and the broader community.
We also announced today that the prices for all LSAC services – testing, CAS, school reports, cancellation fees, and other services – will remain at their 2019-2020 levels. While the cost of providing many of these services continues to rise, LSAC is committed to closing the gap through greater efficiency in order to keep candidate costs as low as possible.
You can find more information about the LSAT-Flex at our LSAT-Flex Frequently-Asked-Questions page, and more information about 2020-2021 registration and pricing at LSAC.org. If you are in contact with candidates who want to familiarize themselves with the format and content of the LSAT-Flex, we recommend using the free Official LSAT Prep practice tests available on LSAC’s LawHub.
We remain committed to supporting candidates, schools, and our entire legal education community in every way that we can during this extraordinarily difficult time.
Please let us know if you have any questions and thank you for your continued support and the guidance you are providing to candidates!"
Why LSAT-Flex is only 3 sections (not 4 or 5)
Part of the reason LSAT-Flex is only 3 sections is that there'd be no way to monitor you during any breaks (if you went to the bathroom, for example). It's not a controlled environment like a test center. They can only monitor you as far as the video camera can see on your laptop.There's also the issue of paying proctors for longer periods of time - ProctorU is not set up for tests as long as the LSAT.
Also, the longer an online test goes, the more likely it is for there to be a tech issue.
They equate the scores, though, so it ends up being equal in difficulty in the end.
How Caroline got a perfect score on LSAT Logic Games
| |
| |
July LSAT-Flex for June International Test-Takers
LSAC's email to international June LSAT registrants below re: July LSAT-Flex:
"We hope this email finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy.
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 emergency, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the International LSAT scheduled for June 27-28 in your country and replace it with a July administration of the LSAT-Flex (more details below). We appreciate your patience as we’ve monitored the public health guidance across dozens of countries to make the best decision, with the health and safety of candidates, test center staff, and the broader community as our highest priority.
As we’ve previously indicated, we have been hoping the in-person test might be able to move forward in many countries with appropriate health and safety measures. However, given the ongoing uncertainty and health risks, as well as public health directives in many countries, we believe the best course of action is to cancel the in-person June International LSAT and instead offer in July an online version of the LSAT – which we are calling the LSAT-Flex.
Because you are currently registered for the June 2020 International LSAT, we will automatically register you to take the July LSAT-Flex at no additional cost. (See below if you prefer not to take the LSAT-Flex.) The LSAT-Flex is composed of genuine LSAT questions that have been developed and tested in accordance with our rigorous standards and can be accessed by test takers on any laptop or desktop computer as long as their device and internet connection meet certain basic requirements. It is very important that you have a strong and stable internet connection in order to have a successful remote testing experience.
To ensure the highest levels of security and validity, all LSAT-Flex test takers are monitored by live remote proctors via the camera and microphone in their computer. The video and audio feed are recorded, and further reviewed by test security personnel and artificial intelligence techniques. You can learn more about the LSAT-Flex and see answers to frequently asked questions at https://www.lsac.org/update-coronavirus-and-lsat/lsat-flex.
The July LSAT-Flex will be delivered during the week of July 12. Due to the remote proctoring logistics, different countries will test at different times and dates. Scores for the July LSAT-Flex will be available on July 30. If you do not wish to take the July LSAT-Flex, you may fill out the form in your LSAC account and receive a coupon for a future test administration or a refund. We will provide more details about the scheduling of the July LSAT-Flex in the next few weeks, so you have plenty of time to plan and get ready for the test.
LSAC is committed to working with LSAT-Flex test takers with disabilities to see that their accommodation needs are met under the circumstances. All test takers who were approved to receive accommodations for the June International LSAT will receive the same or equivalent accommodations if they take the July LSAT-Flex. LSAC will work with each individual to ensure they receive proper accommodation.
As you may know, we recently delivered the first LSAT-Flex administration in the U.S. and Canada, which was generally quite successful. Nearly 10,000 candidates took the LSAT-Flex between May 18 and 22. While some test takers experienced technical difficulties with their computers, internet connection, or the proctoring process, 99% of test takers who started the test successfully completed it. We are using the experience of delivering the May exam to make future LSAT-Flex administrations even better.
If you want to familiarize yourself with the format and content of the LSAT-Flex, we recommend using the free Official LSAT Prep practice tests available on LSAC’s LawHub.
Look for more communications from us as we get closer to the July LSAT-Flex test. In the meantime, we wish you good health as we all continue to navigate these uncertain times together.
The global COVID-19 crisis and its impact on so many segments of our society underscore how important it is to build a strong legal profession devoted to advancing equal justice under law. We hope that you will continue to pursue your goal of legal education – the legal profession needs you, now more than ever!"
What would you like to know about?
|
What do you wish you knew before starting your LSAT prep?
|
LSAT "Graph"-ic Content
|
LSAT-Flex + Will LSAT Logic Games Be Removed
We do know your LSAT will have Logic Games, Logical Reasoning, and Reading Comp.
(Rumors of the death of Logic Games have been greatly exaggerated.)
Now everyone get back to studying :)
***
Since someone just asked me about this, I'll share that response here, but I go more in-depth in my this LSAT prep class ("Will LSAT Logic Games Be Removed?"):
Questions remain about who exactly will be affected by the changes, what the changes will involve, and when those changes would actually go into effect.
There is some confusion (and apparent disagreement) between the parties regarding the terms of their joint settlement agreement, in particular, these lines from the related press release:
"Additionally, LSAC has begun research and development into alternative ways to assess analytical reasoning skills, as part of a broader review of all question types to determine how the fundamental skills for success in law school can be reliably assessed in ways that offer improved accessibility for all test takers. Consistent with the parties' agreement, LSAC will complete this work within the next four years, which will enable all prospective law school students to take an exam administered by LSAC that does not have the current AR section but continues to assess analytical reasoning abilities."
I spent the first 12 or so minutes of the LSAT prep class analyzing the language of this press release and other statements LSAC and the plaintiff's attorney made.
Things likely aren't as simple (or determined) as the media reports indicated.
I expect that schools would be fine with accepting scores from those who took it prior to the change.
In other words, I wouldn't expect them to *exclusively* require that all applicants take the newer version of the test, if the exam switches over to contain a new question/section type for all moving forward.
We already see schools being fine with older (and altered) versions of the LSAT. Currently, schools are universally taking both LSAT-Flex scores and regular. Back when dual/comparative RC was added in June 2007, they were fine with taking LSAT scores from exams administered before the change.
Of course, changes to Analytical Reasoning could be more significant, but schools have a lot of faith in LSAC's ability to create a valid and reliable admission test.
The LSAT Doesn’t Have An “Easy Mode”
| |
| |
