A remote LSAT is scheduled for May because of coronavirus
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Because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, a remotely proctored version of the LSAT, which can be taken at home, will be offered in May, the Law School Admission Council announced Tuesday.
At this point, the offering is only available for those signed up for the March and April exams, which were canceled. A specific date for the exam, which is called the LSAT-Flex, has not been given yet.
“We plan to resume the in-person LSAT once conditions allow, in strict accordance with public health authorities and using all necessary health and safety measures. In the meantime, the remotely proctored LSAT-Flex will provide candidates with the opportunity to earn an LSAT score even if the COVID-19 crisis makes it impossible to deliver the test in-person,” according to the organization’s webpage.
The remote test can be accessed by laptop or desktop computers, with Windows or Mac operating systems, according to an FAQ page posted on the website. Live, remote proctors will monitor the exam through built-in cameras and microphones on test-takers’ computers. Also, test-takers’ video and audio feeds will be recorded by the LSAC and reviewed later by human beings and artificial intelligence.
Three 35-minute, scored sections will make up the remote test and focus on reading comprehension, analytical reasoning and logical reasoning. Comparatively, the traditional in-person LSAT consists of four scored sections and one unscored section. Test results are scheduled to be released two weeks after the exam.
Format for the remote test is the same as what’s used in practice tests offered by the organization, and there’s no change regarding the point ranges or percentile ranking of the tests.
Jeff Thomas, executive director of admissions programs for Kaplan Test Prep, describes the online LSAT as “super-student-friendly,” and he says it isn’t any different than what they’ve been studying.
“They don’t have to go anywhere, they can take it from home and it’s shorter,” Thomas adds.
