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FOR ADDITIONAL HELP OR
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New LSAT Regulations Take Effect
As many of you are probably aware, LSAC has proposed some changes to the format of the LSAT slated to take effect for the June 2007 administration. The Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) has not had a significant format change in 15 years, but the test will soon contain a new passage type called comparative reading, and will revert to offering only one choice for the writing prompt, instead of two. While these changes have led to some anxiety among test takers, if properly prepared students should have no reason to fear the new changes to the test.
The exam will now contain a section of reading comprehension, called comparative reading, as one of the four sets in the LSAT Reading Comprehension section. Comparative reading questions are similar to traditional reading questions, but instead of being one long passage, the questions are based on two short passages. The two short passages are approximately the same total length as the longer reading passages, so the amount of reading will remain virtually unchanged. An advantage to test-takers is that this may help break up the monotony of the series of long passages contained within the current Reading Comprehension section.
As Steve Stein, one of our head LSAT Instructors and Course Developers, noted in a recent press release, "PowerScore's multi-faceted approach to Reading Comprehension will certainly be relevant to the new LSAT passages, which will be designed to test both topical understanding and recognition of shifts in tone and structure. In addition, the new variant will likely come as a welcome change for students, many of whom have a preference for shorter passages."
In addition to the reading comprehension change, test takers will now be assigned only one type of writing prompt, a decision prompt, rather than randomly being assigned one of two kinds of writing prompts, an argument prompt and a decision prompt. Each Decision Prompt Writing Sample topic follows the same format: a scenario involving a choice between two options is introduced, two criteria to be considered in making the decision are stated, and then the two possible courses of action are detailed.
In response to the recent announcement of changes to the LSAT, David Killoran, founder and CEO of PowerScore Test Preparation has publicly stated, "Test-takers should not be overly concerned by these changes. They should neither delay taking the LSAT nor rush to take the LSAT early. As far as writing sample changes, the LSAT is simply returning to the format that they used up until two years ago. Because the writing sample is unscored, this change is insignificant. The reading comprehension change is more important, but it should not worry students. There are proven methods for attacking these types of questions, and, in fact, some students may find that they like the new passage type better."
Also, beginning with the June 11th, 2007 LSAT administration, there will be a number of significant changes to test center regulations. Additional details about the new regulations, and lists of permitted and forbidden items, can be found in the 2007–2008 LSAT & LSDAS Information Book. This information will also be provided on LSAT admission tickets. Ignorance of these new regulations will not be considered an excuse for their violation. Bringing prohibited items into the test room may result in the confiscation of such items by the test supervisor, a warning, dismissal from the test center, and/or cancellation of a test score by LSAC.
Some of the most significant changes are listed below:
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Items permitted in the test room. Tests takers may bring into the room only a clear plastic ziplock bag, maximum size one gallon (3.79 liter), which must be stored under the chair and may be accessed only during the break. The ziplock bag may contain only the following items: LSAT Admission Ticket stub; valid ID; wallet; keys; hygiene products; #2 or HB pencils, highlighter, erasers, pencil sharpener (no mechanical pencils); tissues; beverage in plastic container or juice box (20 oz./591 ml maximum size) and snack for break only.
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Items permitted on the desktop. Test takers may only have tissues, ID, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpener, highlighter, and analog (nondigital) wristwatch. No electronic timing devices are permitted. This is a change from previous testing years.
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Prohibited items. Candidates are not permitted to bring into the test center the following items: weapons or firearms, ear plugs, books, backpacks, handbags, papers of any kind, calculators, rulers, timers, listening devices, cellular phones, recording or photographic devices, pagers, beepers, headsets, and/or other electronic devices. Bringing prohibited items into the test room may result in the confiscation of such items by the test supervisor, a warning, dismissal from the test center, and/or cancellation of a test score by LSAC. Prohibited items may not be used during the break. LSAC and LSAT testing staff are not responsible for test takers’ belongings.
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Hats/hoods. No hats or hoods are allowed (except items of religious apparel).
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Handbags, backpacks, briefcases. No handbags, backpacks, briefcases or other bags—except the ziplock bag described above—are allowed in the test room.
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Cancellation/Complaint deadlines. Test taker complaints and cancellation requests must be received at LSAC within six (6) days of the test date. (This is a change from previous years.)
Please feel free to call us at (800) 545-1750 with any questions, and we will be sure to pass on any other relevant information should it become available.
Thanks!