Hey Taryn,
I'm very sorry to hear about grandfather!
Hopefully I can shed some light on what you can do about the LSAT. Essentially, you have two options: Attending the test and cancelling your score when you're there or immediately after (a "cancellation"), or not going at all to the test (an "absence"). Unfortunately, you won't be able to get a refund with either option.
If you choose not to go to the test, you don't need to do anything other than not show up. You will automatically be noted as absent, and an absence will show up on your LSAT Score Report. Keep in mind that law schools will be able to see that you didn't show up to the test. Obviously, since you didn't show up, you don't need to worry about a score. All that will show up is your absence.
If, instead of not showing up, you choose to go to the test and then cancel your score, then there are steps you must follow. As per LSAC (the entity administering the LSAT), you need to submit a cancellation request to them in writing. You can find the LSAC Score Cancellation Form on their website, here:
http://www.lsac.org/JD/PDFs/ScoreCancellationForm.pdf. Once completed, you can either mail the form to them (to Law School Admission Council, Score Cancellation, 662 Penn Street, Box 2000-T, Newtown, PA 18940-0995) or you can fax it (to 215.968.1277).
As per the score cancellation page on the LSAC website (
http://www.lsac.org/JD/LSAT/lsat-cancellation.asp), valid score cancellation requests must include:
► your statement that you wish to cancel your LSAT score
► your name, LSAC account number, and the last four digits of your Social Security or Social Insurance number
► the test date and test center name and code number
► your signature (unsigned cancellation requests will not be processed)
Keep the following important points in mind:
► Requests need to be received by LSAC within 6 calendar days following your test date. Requests received after this deadline will not be honored.
► LSAC needs to receive your cancellation request in writing using their specific Score Cancellation Form. No other form of request (email, phone call, voicemail, telegram, letter) will be accepted.
► The Score Cancellation Form must be filled out completely. If any information, or your signature, is missing, the form is considered invalid, and your score cancellation request will not be honored.
► Keep proof (fax transmittal sheet, certified mailer) that you sent your score cancellation in. If, for whatever reason, LSAC does not receive it, you’ll have to provide proof that you sent it in before the deadline in order for them to honor your request.
Also, remember that the following things will happen if you decide to cancel your score:
► You will not know how you did on the LSAT. A score will not be released to you.
► You will not receive a copy of your answer sheet.
► You will receive a confirmation of your score cancellation.
► If you took a regular, disclosed administration of the LSAT, you will receive a copy of the test questions and the answer key.
► You will not receive a refund of the LSAT registration fees.
► You will not be able to ask that your score be reinstated in the future.
► Schools will be able to see that you cancelled your score.
Keep in mind that, just like with the absence, your LSAT Score Report will show that you cancelled, and law schools will be able to see that.
I hope that helps! Let me know if I can be of further assistance!
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