LSAT Goes Online

Shot of a cheerful young woman doing online shopping on her laptop while being seated on the floor at home

The COVID-19 outbreak has forced many law students across the country online. Now it seems, the LSAT has finally followed suit and will be proctored online in May.

“In light of the COVID-19 public health emergency, we will be offering an online, remotely proctored version of the LSAT — called the LSAT-Flex — during the week of May 18 for test-takers who were registered for the April test,” according to a press release from the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), which administers the LSAT.

THE EXAM GOES ON

According to LSAC, candidates who registered for the April LSAT will automatically be registered to take the online LSAT-Flex. If students wish to take a different test date, the must request to receive a coupon by completing the online rescheduling form.

Experts say the shift online is good for students given all that’s going on.

“This makes an uncertain and stressful situation a lot more manageable,” Jeff Thomas, executive director of admissions programs at Kaplan Test Prep, says. “Our advice to students is to take the LSAT-Flex if they qualify, especially if they are planning to apply for enrollment in the fall 2020 semester. It seems likely that some parts of the country will still be hard hit by COVID-19 this summer, making it unlikely that normal test administrations can take place for a few months. The good news is that the format of LSAT-Flex is the same as LSAC’s new digital practice tool, so this will not be in a format with which students are unfamiliar.”

LSAC says the May LSAT-Flex will be administered the week of May 18, with most test-takers testing on either Monday, May 18, or Tuesday, May 19.

Additionally, with the LSAT-Flex, all scores will be released Friday, June 5, regardless of when students take the test during the week of May 18.

“We know how important the LSAT is to candidates and schools, and also to fairness and integrity in law school admission, which advances access and equity in legal education,” according to LSAC. “We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we all work through this extraordinary situation together.”

Sources: LSAC, LSAC