Taking the LSAT-Flex

As of August 2021, LSAT Flex has been discontinued and is no longer administered. It was a short version of LSAT that was only administered during COVID pandemic.

What is LSAT-Flex?

LSAT-Flex is the alternate option that has been provided by LSAC during the pandemic for students to attempt their LSAT tests and continue with their law school admissions. This exam is conducted remotely unlike the in-person LSAT tests that were conducted previously. This mode of testing started in June 2020 and according to the statement they issued, is supposed to be conducted until June 2021. But it has also been stated that in conditions where the pandemic does not cease and in-person testing is not feasible, LSAC will continue to issue dates for LSAT-Flex which the candidates can make use of.

This online mode of examination has a score scale and exam structure similar to that of LSAT give or take a few differences. At the same time, LSAT has been proposing a change in the structure and scoring of the new LSAT which is supposed to begin from the August 2021 session. This change marks the advent of a remote form of LSAT with 4 sections instead of 3 and other similar differences. Read on to find more about LSAT-Flex and the new LSAT.

Registering for LSAT-Flex

In order to register for the LSAT-Flex, candidates who have completed their Bachelor’s degree in any subject will have to visit the official LSAC website and create an official account using their email ID and other personal details. Once the account has been created, they will be able to log in to the account and register for the LSAT-Flex by setting a date and time of their choice and paying a registration fee of $200.

Equipment Required for LSAT-Flex

Students who are applying for the remotely conducted LSAT-Flex will have to have the following facilities in order to complete their examination. In case they do not have any of the following equipment, they have been requested to state the same to LSAC while registering. LSAC ensures that students who are unable to procure the equipment necessary will be provided the same on loan for the examination. In order to avail of this facility candidates will have to apply for Assistance before the Assistance Request Deadline.

The facilities required for the test are-

• A private room/ space to attend the exam in.
• Laptop/ Desktop with Windows or Mac.
• Webcam and Microphone
• Internet Connection
• Google Chrome/ Mozilla Firefox

It is recommended that students check the function of their equipment using the ProctorU tool by creating a ProctorU account. It will also help them have a better understanding of the user interface used for the test.

Fee for LSAT-Flex

The fee for the LSAT-Flex is the same as that of offline LSAT and amounts to $200.

Structure of LSAT-Flex

The test format and structure of the LSAT-Flex exam are slightly different from that of the offline LSAT test due to the following factors. The LSAT Writing section and the Multiple-Choice section of LSAT are conducted together in the offline test but in LSAT-Flex, the LSAT Writing part can be written within 8 days prior to the test date. This ensures that the results for the test will be published in a timely manner and can benefit the student by reducing the time they will have to wait for the results.

The Multiple-Choice section of the test is similar to that of LSAT and includes the following subsections-

• Reading Comprehension
• Analytical Reasoning
• Logical Reasoning

Each of these sections is provided with 35 minutes. The unscored fourth section of the LSAT test will not be available in the LSAT-Flex test up until June 2021. This unscored section will be added to the test again from the test in August 2021 and it will be given a total of 35 minutes like the other sections.

Scoring in LSAT-Flex

The score range of LSAT-Flex is similar to the score range of LSAT and is between 120 to 180. The lowest grade attainable is 120 whereas the highest is 180 where the raw scores candidates receive in the test are converted into the LSAT scaled score in order to even out the tests conducted over time.

There is no negative marking for the test. The score report will only contain the scaled score along with the LSAT Writing content that the student had written and submitted. The report will also contain the percentile they have received in the test. It will be mentioned if the candidate took the LSAT-Flex or LSAT in the score report. The report will be sent to the universities and law schools of the candidate’s choice for a fee of $45 per additional score report after the one free score report they can use. The score for the test taken will be published after 3 weeks of the test date.

Steps Before LSAT-Flex

It is important to note the following steps before the test day so that the nervousness of how to attend the test can be removed and so that the candidate can focus on the test rather than the smaller details associated with the testing conditions.

Candidates will be required to check in to the examination 2-3 minutes before the test time so that they can settle in and ensure that their internet connection is stable. They will be able to see a countdown time alerting them on the “My Sessions” page. Once the countdown is over, they will be able to Start the session which will let them complete the identification processes along with the environment analyzing process before the test.

Students will be permitted to keep only a few things with them during the test. Whatever item is kept on the table must be shown individually to the proctor during the check-in procedure. It is also expected that the scratch papers used during the test will be destroyed in front of the camera once the test is complete.

Items Allowed in the Exam Room

Considering that the exam is being conducted within the confines of one’s home, it is important to have an idea of the things that can be kept in the room during the duration of the test. Each item placed on the computer/laptop desk during the test must be individually shown to the proctor during the test.

Before the test, candidates will be required to show a 360-degree view of the room they are taking the exam in. Posters and other materials in the room needn’t be removed for the purpose though it is entirely upon the candidate to verify if any of the contents in the room might aid them in the examination and remove it if that is the case. Ensure that no person or pet enters the room during the test. And if they do during the test keep contact to a minimum so that the proctor can understand that nothing substantial for the exam has been communicated.

The items that are allowed in the room are-

• 5 blank scratch paper
• Valid Government ID containing
  • Recent Photograph
  • First Name
  • Last Name
  • Date of Birth
• Writing Tool like pen/ pencil/ mechanical pencil.
• Highlighter
• Eraser
• Analog Wristwatch
• Pencil Sharpener
• Tissues
• Beverage in Plastic Container or Juice Box- No Aluminum Cans are permitted.
• Medical Needs- like Eyeglasses, Hearing Aid, Brace, Cast, Crutch, etc.

While taking the test online, it is recommended that candidates wear formal apparel as they would for an in-person test since the video of the session will be reviewed by LSAC. It is mandatory that apparel that covers the face or head must not be worn unless it is for religious reasons. It is also not permitted to wear headphones or sunglasses under any circumstance. Students are not permitted to save or duplicate the content of the test and they are expected to follow all the instructions of the instructor during the test.

Cancelling the LSAT-Flex

Candidates who wish to cancel the LSAT-Flex exam must log into the go.proctoru.com site and click on the Cancel option beside Reschedule and Premium Reschedule. Students who cancel the examination might not be able to avail of a test date in the near future and hence LSAC strongly discourages candidates from doing it. If the candidate does not show up for the test for the first 60 minutes of the test, their exam will stand canceled and they will not be able to claim a refund. It is also probable that they won’t be able to procure a slot anytime soon.

Retaking the LSAT-Flex

Since September 2020, it has been made clear that candidates will be able to take the LSAT only 3 times in an LSAT year and 5 times within 5 testing years. Overall, they will be able to take the LSAT only 7 times in a lifetime unless they are an exception.