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LSAT Accommodations: How To Get It & Who Qualifies

August 22, 2023
Contents

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Reviewed by:

David Merson

Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University

Reviewed: 01/27/23

If you’re beginning your LSAT journey and want to learn more about how to get accommodations for the LSAT, read on!

The LSAT is meant to be fair, free of bias, and accessible. From the content of the exam itself being rigorously reviewed and tested for fairness and sensitivity, to the experimental section on each LSAT testing new questions for bias, the LSAT is fittingly all about being just. 

Continuing their dedication to accessibility, LSAC also allows students to request accommodations to ensure their test results most accurately represent their abilities and aptitude.

If you want to know whether you qualify for LSAT accommodations, how to apply for them, and what accommodations are available, read on to find your answers.

How To Get Accommodations for the LSAT

To get accommodations for the LSAT, you’ll have to follow these steps:

1. Register for the LSAT

You must already be registered for your desired LSAT test date to request accommodations. 

2. Visit Your LSAC Account

You must request accommodations through your LSAC account. Once you have logged in, there will be a drop-down menu on the “LSAT” button where you can click “Request Accommodations.” In case you’re confused, it should look like this:

Source: LSAC

3. Fill In the Candidate Accommodation Form

Once you’ve clicked on the “Request Accommodations” link, you’ll be brought to an accommodation form to fill out. Here you’ll be asked to provide information on the reason(s) you require accommodation and will be asked for documentation proving you require accommodations.

Ensure you complete and submit this form before the registration deadline of your test date.

Who Qualifies for LSAT Accommodations?

People who feel they are unable to complete the LSAT in the allotted time, in the allotted format, or with the allotted resources may qualify for LSAT accommodations. To be more specific, the following disorders/conditions are those deemed by LSAC to require accommodations:

  • Visual impairments
  • Physical/medical impairments
  • Neurological impairments
  • Psychological impairments
  • Hearing impairments

In case you feel your condition doesn’t fit into any of these categories, the candidate accommodation form also has an “other” section where you can describe your condition. For each of the listed conditions, you’ll also be asked to list your specific diagnosis.

What Are the Requirements To Get LSAT Accommodations?

To have your accommodation request approved, you’ll have to include a written or typed explanation for why you need accommodations to complete the LSAT to the best of your aptitude and achievement level.

Aside from this necessary part of your candidate accommodation form, you’ll need to submit different documentation based on the type of accommodation(s) you need. 

You Have Prior Approval for LSAT Accommodations

For students who have received prior approval for LSAT accommodations, they will be given the same accommodations automatically without having to submit a request or supporting documents.

However, if these test-takers want different accommodations, they will have to submit a new request form and the required documents depending on the type of accommodation(s) they want.

You Have Prior Approval of Accommodations on Other Standardized Tests

If you’ve written another postsecondary standardized test, like the GRE, and you’re seeking the same accommodations you received for that test, you’ll have to submit the following:

  • The standard candidate request form
  • Verification of the previous accommodation from a test sponsor

If you are seeking different accommodation from what you received on your past standardized test, you’ll have to also submit a Qualified Professional Form

This form must be filled out and signed by a certified professional that can attest to the legitimacy of the reason(s) for your accommodations. 

Category One Requests

Category one requests are those that do not require any time extensions. For these requests, you’ll need to submit:

  • The standard candidate request form
  • A Qualified Professional Form

Category Two Requests

These requests are typically made by candidates who do not have severe visual impairment but want up to 50% extended time, or candidates with severe visual impairment who require the test in a different format and need 100% extended time.

These candidates must submit the candidate request form, a Qualified Professional Form, and additional relevant information such as:

  • A record of formal or informal testing accommodations in school (from Grade K-12 or postsecondary) 
  • A record of attendance at a specialized school that provided the needed accommodations
  • A record of similar accommodations on previous standardized tests
  • Another form of legitimate record of these accommodations being granted in the past

Category Three Requests

The final category is for candidates without severe visual impairment who want more than 50% extended time, or candidates with severe visual impairment who want more than 100% extended time.

Like the category two requests, these candidates must submit a candidate request form and Qualified Professional Form. On top of these forms, they must provide relevant information to substantiate their need for this extent of accommodation. This information can be:

  • Proof that on prior standardized testing the candidate was approved for more than 50% of extended time
  • A qualified professional provides documentation with explanation that supports the need for more than 50% more time, further explaining the severity of the disorder
  • A qualified professional provides information showing the candidate needs extra time on certain portions on the LSAT but not others
  • A postsecondary disability service provider provides signed proof that the student received 50% more time on their college exams
  • Proof that the student has concurrent conditions and limitations that warrant the extended time requested

What Are the Types of Accommodations Available for the LSAT?

Since there are a variety of conditions students can have, there are a variety of LSAT accommodations available. The following are the main accommodations available:

  • Extended test-taking time: qualifying students can get more than 100% extra time
  • Additional breaks between sections: students can only do up to 10 hours of both test-writing and breaks in one day. If more than 10 hours are required, the exam must be taken over two days
  • Permission to sit/stand during test
  • Permission to read/speak aloud
  • Use of physical magnification devices
  • Use of braille writer, display, or note
  • Tactile manipulatives
  • Excel spreadsheets
  • Use of a human reader: you may select a reader of your choice if approved
  • Use of an amanuensis/scribe: you may select a scribe of your choice if approved

There are also alternate test formats available for students that are unable to complete the online test:

  • Unified English Braille (UEB) books
  • Paper-and-pencil format (regular print)
  • Paper-and-pencil format (larger print like 18-point font or higher)

Although paper formats of the exam are available, these tests must still be completed using the online, remote, proctored LSAT format. As such, students must still use a computer and have their camera and microphone on for the entire duration of the test.

FAQs: LSAT Accommodations

If you have any remaining questions about the LSAT disability accommodations, read on to find your answers.

1. What Accommodations Are Available on the LSAT?

There are several accommodations available on the LSAT like extended test-taking time, additional breaks, permission to stand, permission to read aloud, the use of various electronic or physical devices, the use of braille devices, or the use of human readers or scribes.

2. What Percentage of LSAT Takers Get Accommodations?

Between 65% to 77% of test takers require accommodations.

3. Can I Get LSAT Accommodations for Anxiety?

Yes, if provided with enough legitimate evidence that you require accommodations for your anxiety, you can absolutely receive accommodations for it! This is particularly true if you have an anxiety-related condition or disorder that can be corroborated by a qualified professional. 

4. Do Law Schools See LSAT Accommodations?

No, law schools will see your score the same as every other candidates’ score. There will be no indication of your accommodations on your score report.

5. Which Accommodations Are the Most Common?

Extra time and additional breaks are the most asked for and granted accommodations for the LSAT.

6. Why Are Accommodations Denied?

There are six common reasons that accommodations get denied:

  • No evidence is submitted: The candidate has not provided the necessary documents to prove they require accommodations.
  • Documentation is not from a qualified professional: Qualified professionals must be licensed or otherwise credentialed and have knowledge in your specific condition.
  • Insufficient reasoning: The reasoning for accommodation fails to prove accommodation is required to let the student perform to their best aptitude.
  • The documentation does not meet standards: Your documentation may be outdated and from five or more years ago, or the candidate was examined before the age of 13.
  • The documentation is not legible

Insufficient Documentation: For candidates asking for more than 50% of extended time, if they don’t provide rationale based on history and objective evidence, they may be denied.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know more about the LSAT accommodations, you can decide whether or not you need them. You should also have a better grasp on the correct steps to take, and mistakes to avoid, to ensure your accommodation request(s) are approved so your LSAT score fairly reflects your aptness!

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