LSAT Accommodations: What You Need to Know

LSAT test day is stressful. For those of us with disabilities, physical impairments, or other health-related challenges, it can be even more daunting. LSAC, the administrator of the LSAT, is committed to making the LSAT available to all candidates, so there are a variety of accommodations you can request to ensure that you have a fair experience with the LSAT. It’s helpful to know beforehand 1) if you qualify for accommodations, 2) what your accommodations will be, and 3) how to submit a request for LSAT accommodations. 
 

There’s no set list of disabilities or impairments that qualify someone for accommodations on the LSAT. The LSAC reviews each request for accommodations on a case-by-case basis, so if you have questions about whether or not you qualify, it’s best to request accommodations and see how the LSAC responds. 
If you’ve qualified for LSAT accommodations on a previous LSAT, those same accommodations will be applied to future LSATs. If you’ve qualified for accommodations on other standardized postsecondary admissions tests (such as the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, etc.), you may qualify for those same accommodations on the LSAT. You’ll have to provide the letter you received from that test maker specifying the accommodations you were granted. 
All other people fall into one of the three following LSAT accommodation request categories:

• Category 1: The accommodation does not include extended test time.
• Category 2: The accommodation includes up to 50% extended test time for candidates without visual impairment, or up to 100% extended test time and an alternative test format for candidates with visual impairment.
• Category 3: The accommodation includes over 50% extended test time for candidates without visual impairment, or over 100% extended test time and an alternative test format for candidates with visual impairment.

Some, but not all, of the available LSAT accommodations are as follows:

• Extra time on the test (usually no more than 50% extra time, but can go up to over 100% extra time for test-takers with certain visual impairments)
• Braille version of the LSAT and other braille resources (such as a braille writer, braille paper, etc.)
• A large print test-book and permission to take a paper-and-pencil test (the LSAT is now typically administered digitally)
• Approval to test using your own computer equipment to utilize screen reader or text-to-speech software
• Use of a reader and/or scribe
• Wheelchair accessibility (If you need a specific table height, you’ll be asked to specify the height of the table you need.)
• Separate room (for small-group testing)
• Additional break time

You’ll receive equivalent relevant accommodations on the LSAT writing test, which is administered separately.

1. Register for the LSAT well in advance of your registration deadline. 
2. Once you’re registered, fill out and sign a Candidate Form, Evidence of Disability Form, and Statement of Need for Accommodation. These forms must be typed, not handwritten. Then you need to fax, mail, or email the forms to the LSAC before the registration deadline. LSAC is clear that there are no exceptions to this deadline.
3. LSAC will post a letter of approval or rejection to your LSAC account within 14 days of receiving your request. If your request for accommodations is rejected, LSAC will post a letter explaining their decision. 
4. If you wish to appeal a rejection, you have 2 business days after the letter is posted to inform LSAC that you plan to appeal. You have 4 total calendar days from the time the letter is posted to submit your appeal. The result of the appeal will be available within one week of your appeal submission. 

LSAC does not qualify the scores they report to law schools, so the schools to which you are applying will not know that you received LSAT accommodations, including extended time.
[ KEEP STUDYING: Kaplan LSAT Prep YouTube Channel ]