Last Updated May 28, 2020

All of us at LSAC are saddened by the COVID-19 outbreaks affecting so many countries and communities around the world. Our hearts go out to all of the individuals, families, and communities that have been affected. We are working with global, national, and local officials to comply with local health directives and guidance, while striving to address the needs of test takers and schools.

Given the continued uncertainty over how the COVID-19 emergency will evolve over the next two months, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the in-person July LSAT and the in-person June International LSAT. We will be offering the online, remotely proctored LSAT-Flex:

https://www.lsac.org/update-coronavirus-and-lsat/lsat-flex

in July for all affected test takers. The July LSAT-Flex will be administered during the week of July 12. Most test takers will test on either Sunday, July 12, or Monday, July 13, with a small number of tests occurring later in the week based on specific remote proctoring requirements. Currently, we are targeting Thursday, July 30, as the July LSAT-Flex score release date for all test takers, regardless of when they test during the week of July 12.

U.S. and Canadian law school candidates interested in taking the new LSAT-Flex test this July can register for the July 2020 LSAT:

https://os.lsac.org/Release/startup.aspx?Static_To_LSAT_Registration=%27%27

by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday, June 1. If you register for the July 2020 administration, we will move your registration into the July LSAT-Flex test.

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. LSAC is committed to doing everything possible to provide candidates with the assessment and other services needed, while following public health guidance to ensure the safety of test takers and the broader community.

We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic closely and will make other LSAT-Flex test dates available this summer if the situation warrants. 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.

For more information about the online, remotely proctored LSAT-Flex, including technical requirements, see our LSAT-Flex page:

https://www.lsac.org/update-coronavirus-and-lsat/lsat-flex

We will continue to provide regular updates as this situation unfolds. We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we all work through this extraordinary situation together. See below for more information and answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

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Test Dates, Changes, and Cancellations

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·What is the status of the June 8 LSAT in the United States and Canada?

In response to the growing COVID-19 public health crisis, LSAC announced April 29 that the June 8 LSAT is canceled in all locations.

To address the needs of candidates who want to test this spring, we will be providing an online, remotely proctored version of the LSAT, called LSAT-Flex:

https://www.lsac.org/update-coronavirus-and-lsat/lsat-flex

during the week of June 14 for all test takers who were registered for the June 8, 2020, LSAT.

Candidates who were registered for the June 8, 2020, LSAT as of April 29 were automatically registered to take the June LSAT-Flex unless they chose to receive a coupon to use for a different LSAT date.

We are committed to broad access and will work with all test takers with disabilities to see that their accommodation needs are met under the circumstances. We will also work with any candidates who may need our assistance with access to computer equipment or other necessary hardware.

·What is the status of the upcoming international LSAT administration, scheduled for June 27 or 28, depending on the region?

n response to the ongoing health risks and uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 emergency, LSAC has made the difficult decision to cancel the in-person International LSAT scheduled for June 27-28 and to replace it with a July administration of the online, remotely proctored LSAT-Flex:

https://www.lsac.org/update-coronavirus-and-lsat/lsat-flex

Candidates who were registered for the June 27-28, 2020, LSAT as of May 27 will be automatically registered to take the July LSAT-Flex during the week of July 12 unless they choose to receive a coupon to use for a different LSAT date.

We appreciate test takers’ patience as we’ve monitored the public health guidance across dozens of countries to make the best decision, with the health and safety of candidates, test center staff, and the broader community as our highest priority.

·What is the status of the July 13 LSAT?

Given the continued uncertainty over how the COVID-19 emergency will evolve over the next two months, we have made the decision to offer the online, remotely proctored LSAT-Flex in July, and cancel the in-person LSAT that was scheduled for July 13 in the U.S. and Canada.

The July LSAT-Flex will be administered during the week of July 12. Candidates registered for the July 13, 2020, LSAT will be automatically registered to take the July LSAT-Flex unless they choose to receive a coupon to use for a different LSAT date.

If you are a U.S. or Canadian law school candidate interested in taking the new LSAT-Flex test this July, you can register for the July 2020 LSAT:

https://os.lsac.org/Release/startup.aspx?Static_To_LSAT_Registration=%27%27

by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday, June 1. We will move your registration into the July LSAT-Flex test.

We are committed to broad access and will work with all test takers with disabilities to see that their accommodation needs are met under the circumstances. We will also work with any candidates who may need our assistance with access to computer equipment or other necessary hardware.

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Test Day Experience and Instructions

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·What steps are being taken to protect health and well-being at LSAT test sites in response to the Coronavirus outbreak?

In response to the growing COVID-19 public health crisis, LSAC has made the difficult decision to cancel the March-July LSATs in all locations worldwide. LSAC will continue to operate in accordance with the guidance provided by the World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other public health agencies. Canceling these tests was a difficult step, but we believe it was the most responsible course of action to protect test takers, test center personnel, and the broader community.

To address the needs of candidates who want to test this spring and summer, we will be providing an online, remotely proctored version of the LSAT, called LSAT-Flex, for affected test registrants. We will only return to administering the standard LSAT when conditions allow, with rigorous adherence to the guidance and direction of public health authorities.

Please know that prior to each administration, all of LSAC’s testing equipment is sanitized. In addition, test takers are deliberately separated from one another while taking the test.

We have amended our test taker rules to allow in-person test takers to wear masks that cover their nose and mouth if they wish, and to allow test takers to bring an appropriate-sized container of hand sanitizer to the test.

We will continue to work with public health authorities to explore additional recommendations on test administration.

·Can I wear a face mask at my in-person LSAT test?

We recognize that in the current Coronavirus situation, some test takers may feel more comfortable wearing a mask while taking the LSAT in a public setting with other people.

Beginning with the August LSAT and until further notice, in-person LSAT takers who wish to wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth to the test center are permitted to do so, with the following provisions:

·1. Test takers may be asked to briefly remove their masks during the checking of government-issued photo IDs. This is necessary for testing staff to make a positive identification.

·2. Test takers will be allowed to wear their masks while testing.

·3. Test takers may also be asked to briefly remove their masks when their identification is checked following the break after test section 3 or after any restroom break.

Please note that test centers will not be responsible for providing masks or disposing of them for test takers.

·Can I bring hand sanitizer to my LSAT test?

Beginning with the August LSAT and until further notice, test takers will be allowed to have a small container of hand sanitizer (preferably travel size, but no larger than an 8 oz. container) on their desktops or in their ziplock bags (subject to inspection).

·Is it safe to take a standardized test in a large group setting, given concerns over the spread of the Coronavirus?

We are monitoring the COVID-19 virus situation carefully and paying close attention to the guidance of public health authorities. Throughout this process, our highest priority will be the health and well-being of test takers, test center personnel, and the public.

In response to the growing COVID-19 emergency, health officials are urging businesses, organizations, and individuals to limit travel or activities that could accelerate the spread of the disease and cause our health systems to become overwhelmed. Because of this, LSAC has made the difficult decision to cancel the March-July LSATs in all locations worldwide, and to replace these canceled in-person tests with the online LSAT-Flex to assist with the social distancing that public health authorities are urging in order to slow the spread of this disease. We believe this is the most responsible course of action to protect test takers, test center personnel, and the broader community.

We will only return to administering the standard LSAT when conditions allow, with rigorous adherence to the guidance and direction of public health authorities.

We will continuously monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.

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General Qs on the Admission Process

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·Will schools extend their application/commitment deadlines?

This is up to each school, and you should check schools’ websites to see if they have announced any global extensions. You can also email the admissions offices to ask this question. An informal survey conducted in mid-March found that more than 60% of law schools who responded had extended deadlines or were planning to, either for all applicants or on a case-by-case basis, and that percentage has probably increased since the time the survey was conducted.

·How will schools view Pass/Fail grades?

Law schools are fully aware of and understand that virtually all students enrolled during the spring 2020 COVID-19 pandemic experienced significant disruption in their living and learning arrangements. Law schools are also aware that many undergraduate and graduate schools changed their grading systems to allow or require Pass/Fail grades in lieu of their traditional grading systems and will not penalize any applicant for presenting Pass/Fail grades. LSAC will place a letter in the CAS report of every applicant enrolled during spring 2020, reminding law schools of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the population and on higher education.

·How will schools look at the fact that my summer internship was canceled?

Again, law schools understand that COVID-19 pandemic forced many changes that affect students’ summer plans. If your summer internship has been canceled, you should explain that when you apply to law school, and you should also discuss how you adjusted to the unexpected developments resulting from the pandemic.

https://www.lsac.org/update-coronavirus-and-lsat

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4544444&forum_id=1#40295271)