Get in touch: (800) 551-3410
.png)
Reviewed by:
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.
To get accommodations for the LSAT, you’ll have to follow these steps:
You must already be registered for your desired LSAT test date to request accommodations.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
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 are those that do not require any time extensions. For these requests, you’ll need to submit:
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:
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:
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:
There are also alternate test formats available for students that are unable to complete the online test:
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.
If you have any remaining questions about the LSAT disability accommodations, read on to find your answers.
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.
Between 65% to 77% of test takers require accommodations.
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.
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.
Extra time and additional breaks are the most asked for and granted accommodations for the LSAT.
There are six common reasons that accommodations get denied:
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.
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!
