Test Accomodations

[Packers Fan]

ive been struggling with finishing each section within the 35 minutes. i get maybe halfway through and then run out of time.

i've heard there is a thing called Accomodated testing that gives you more time if you need it. how can i get this and how much time will they give me???

 

[Anne]

I've heard there is a thing called Accomodated testing that gives you more time if you need it. How can I get this and how much time will they give me???

LSAC can definitely provide you with accommodated testing--however, there are a few things you need to know:

1. LSAC only provides accommodations to individuals with documented disabilities--i.e., extremely poor eyesight or blindness, documented learning disorders, etc. They do NOT provide accommodations if you're just struggling with your timing and want extra time to finish sections.
2. You have to apply for accommodations, and LSAC does not guarantee that you will get accommodations. They evaluate each request on the case-by-case basis.
3. You will have to complete a comprehensive form to apply for accommodations; in many cases, you will have to have documentation from the physician that has treated you for your diability, and you will also have to provide proof of treatment and diagnosis.
4. You have to register to take the LSAT before you apply for accommodations. If your request is denied, your LSAT registration is not cancelled, and you will still need to take the test (or decide to not show up on test day or cancel your score).
5. Because each case is considered indivudually, they recommend that you submit your accommodations request well in advance of the test date you are registered for, so that a decision can be made well ahead of your testing date. Your testing date will not be changed if a decision is not reached in time for the test.

Here are a couple of links that can help you out: LSAC Website - Accommodated Testing page (http://lsac.org/LSAT/accommodated-testing.asp), LSAC Video Demo for Accommodated Testing (http://lsac.org/demos/AccomodiatedTestingDemo-CP4.asp), LSAC Accommodated Testing Brochure (http://lsac.org/pdfs/accommodatebrochure.pdf)

Good luck! Let me know if you've got any questions, I'm happy to help out!

[Amby]

I've been struggling with finishing each section within the 35 minutes. I get maybe halfway through and then run out of time.

I've heard there is a thing called Accomodated testing that gives you more time if you need it. How can I get this and how much time will they give me???

 

Should I be surprised that a Packers fan can't finish the sections and wants more time given to him?

Go Bears!

[LSAT Eliminator]

Hey Packers Fan,

Don't worry about Amby. He is always in a bad mood 

Accommodations are a serious matter, and going through the process to obtain accommodations is neither easy nor fast. Many of the people I know who obtained extra time had previously identified issues that had allowed them to gain accommodations in other situations already. And, Law Services is well-known to not always grant accommodations, even if a doctor has stated they are needed. They make their own calls and march to their own drummer, and that includes reviewing everything with their own experts.

As far as time, the standard seems to be either double time or time and a half. It depends on the accommodation being granted. Last I checked that your score won't have a percentile on it, which means it will be clear accommodations were granted.

One thing that is often overlooked is that accommodated test takers don't take the experimental section, which I think is a huge advantage mentally and physically. I've also heard of many instances in which their proctors were a bit more lenient about the process. 

So it takes a lot to get them, but there are significant advantages.

[Jeffort]

I've been struggling with finishing each section within the 35 minutes. I get maybe halfway through and then run out of time.

I've heard there is a thing called Accomodated testing that gives you more time if you need it. How can I get this and how much time will they give me???

 

As Anne said above, there are many documentary requirements that are all very time consuming to pull together that must be done and submitted far in advance of your planned test date to deal with the bureaucracy of the accommodations consideration process.  You have to collect and submit medical records and fill out forms to justify the request.  LSAC is very strict when it comes to granting extra time per section.  

I hate to be the bearer of bad news.  It is extremely difficult to get LSAC to grant you extra time per section.  

Since you didn't indicate your disability/reason for wanting/needing special accommodations to get extra time I'll just talk in a general way that hits the commonly asked questions about this.

LSAC typically will not and does not grant it for ADD/ADHD or other common psychological ailments such as anxiety.  You'd be wasting your time and lots of $$ trying to get extra time for those or related conditions.  

From my experience, many people that seek extra time accommodations base the request for it on ADD/ADHD and/or anxiety issues (anxiety goes hand in hand with ADD/ADHD).  

Those are not acceptable reasons to get extra time.  If something like those is the basis of your inquiry, train and learn to get yourself into hyper-focus mode.  

For long term documented conditions like dyslexia, they usually do grant it.

From my experience, tons of people that seek LS and take the LSAT are ADD/ADHD.  It's not a reason to get extra time.  

If you are visually impaired and need a braille test, no problem, they'll grant that right away.  If you have a physical disability, no problem.  

The above described commonly used and heavily abused excuses for not performing well to get extra time typically fly like a Led Zeppelin.  

[Ashley O]

I'd like to add that that getting special accommodations doesn't mean someone is getting any favors or special breaks. The accommodations simply level the playing field for each person. My brother regularly gets special accommodations, and believe me, he doesn't get an advantage from it. At best, he gets near the experience of other test takers.

Unless you have a real reason for needing for accommodations, don't ask for them. And don't treat the process like it is a ploy to gain extra time or some special advantage.

Sorry, this issue is important to me. 

[Jeffort]

I'd like to add that that getting special accommodations doesn't mean someone is getting any favors or special breaks. The accommodations simply level the playing field for each person. My brother regularly gets special accommodations, and believe me, he doesn't get an advantage from it. At best, he gets near the experience of other test takers.

Unless you have a real reason for needing for accommodations, don't ask for them. And don't treat the process like it is a ploy to gain extra time or some special advantage.

Sorry, this issue is important to me.  

 

Persactly the point.  They are meant for people that need them in order to equalize things so they can compete on a level playing field, not something to be used to get an edge/advantage.  

People that try to do things to cheat/gain an unfair advantage over others with illegitimate means bother and get me upset beyond belief.  I tend to eat people like that for breakfast these days since I have a ZERO tolerance rule for stuff like that.  

You earn your score and subsequent admission possibilities through legitimate effort  by putting in the hard work to get there like every honest person in the process does.  
If one really has the talents, skills/abilities, morals, ethics and motivation, there should not be much of a problem achieving the goals in the long run.  

The rewards a good LSAT score and subsequent degree from a reputable Law School provide are and should always be based on merit.

I actually think it's kinda funny in a way about dishonest people determined to spend so much time trying to cheat the system to gain an unfair advantage with the LSAT and/or with LS applications.  People like that that actually get admitted due to unethical cheating schemes typically don't have the fortitude to survive and perform well in Law School anyway.  Meaning that the few that slide past the gatekeepers that way end up falling flat on their face and getting a nice   in LS.  

The LSAT is designed very well to test the aptitude applicants possess that are very important to perform well as a 1L and hopefully down the road after graduation.  It's been proven by many published studies.

[Packers Fan]

k, thanx for the info. i didn't know what it was and was just asking about it.

if i don't qualify for extra time and I'm still slow, is there anything i can do?

[Packers Fan]

I've been struggling with finishing each section within the 35 minutes. I get maybe halfway through and then run out of time.

I've heard there is a thing called Accomodated testing that gives you more time if you need it. How can I get this and how much time will they give me???

 

Should I be surprised that a Packers fan can't finish the sections and wants more time given to him?

Go Bears!

oh yeah, i didn't want to forget to tell you to screw off 

[Ashley O]

Btw, I don't want anyone to get the wrong impression. If you need accommodations, by all means seek them:

http://www.lsac.org/LSAT/accommodated-testing.asp

[Jeffort]

k, thanx for the info. i didn't know what it was and was just asking about it.

if i don't qualify for extra time and I'm still slow, is there anything i can do?

Certainly.  Focus on learning the commonly repeated patterns of the test in terms of question types, concepts tested, effective strategies to apply to each type and get familiar with the common types of incorrect sucker 'trap' answers for each question type.  While doing that you practice to improve your performance skills.  Lather rinse repeat so that it all becomes very familiar and ingrained in your analytical process.  The better you understand the test and good techniques, the faster you will be able to work through the sections with accuracy.  

One imperative part of that process is thoroughly reviewing questions in slow motion after you work them in order to identify your mistakes and weaknesses.   Doing that helps you know what to focus on more in order to stop making the same mistakes repeatedly.   A strategy like that helps a lot to speed up.  It sounds paradoxical, but during the prep study/learning phase SLOW DOWN TO SPEED UP.  

A common big mistake many people make is going with the 'churn and burn' prep strategy of mainly taking a lot of timed practice tests, racing through homework problems and not putting in adequate study/review time dissecting the stuff in detail in slow motion.  Doing the slow motion review is important for it all to sink in and become second nature.  

A common cause of being slow and not being able to finish sections in time is getting stuck between two answer choices and dwelling on the decision for longer than you can afford to spend per question.  There are always a number of very difficult questions that can suck you into a time trap that robs you of time to address other questions and finish the sections within the allotted time.

Unless you are going for a near perfect score (which only less than 2% of test takers achieve), you need to work on time management and know when to cut and run from the questions that stump you and not let them hang you up.  Each question, no matter how hard or easy is only worth one raw point.  Spending several minutes each stuck on just a few difficult questions can deprive you of valuable time you could otherwise use to address and answer more questions per section.  If you dwell on even just two really hard LR questions for 3+ minutes each you deprive yourself of time to address and answer more or all the questions in the section, thus sacrificing points you may otherwise have gained.  That results in a net loss of points.  


Like the wise words of Kenny Rogers 'You have to know when to hold them, know when to fold them, know when to walk away and know when to run'

Kenny Rogers - The Gambler

[Anne]

LSAC typically will not and does not grant it for ADD/ADHD or other common psychological ailments such as anxiety.  You'd be wasting your time and lots of $$ trying to get extra time for those or related conditions.  

From my experience, many people that seek extra time accommodations base the request for it on ADD/ADHD and/or anxiety issues (anxiety goes hand in hand with ADD/ADHD).  

Those are not acceptable reasons to get extra time.  If something like those is the basis of your inquiry, train and learn to get yourself into hyper-focus mode.  

The above described commonly used and heavily abused excuses for not performing well to get extra time typically fly like a Led Zeppelin.  

I'm glad someone brought up the ADD/ADHD question, actually. I routinely get asked about accommodations available for ADD/ADHD students and, just like Jeffort said, it never happens. A good rule of thumb is the following: If you were ever granted official accommodations testing in college  (i.e., accommodations you actually had to petition for and document, and not just a nice TA letting you have extra time because you told him/her you couldn't focus), then chances are good you'll also get them with LSAC--not guaranteed, but good. If you're just a really anxious test-taker (standardized tests or otherwise), but have never had it documented/medicated/certified by a physician, then your chances are not very good, if they exist at all.

On the flip side, though (and also reiterating what Jeffort said), if you're visually impaired and need a braille test, a reader, etc., that will happen without a problem. Likewise with any physical disabilities. The big thing will be to document, document, document--no one should expect LSAC to be fine with a single handwritten doctor's note from a 15-minute evaluation that happened two days before you submitted your accommodations request. Because of the significant advantages involved (more time, no experimental section, potential proctor leniency), LSAC is going to put the burden of proof on the requester, and then they may still deny their request. It's a time-consuming, slow, and potentially expensive process--and there's no sense in trying to game it. LSAC's seen and heard it all before.