Everything You Need to Know About the Digital LSAT

Well, it’s finally here—a digital version of the LSAT. Transferring this exam from paper to the screen has been in the works for a number of years, but now it’s finally arrived.

With other admissions tests having fully completed the transition to digital-only, the LSAT is one of the last to follow suit.

The new digital LSAT will be taken on a tablet device with patented software developed by LSAC for the exam. According to Kellye Testy, President and CEO of LSAC, the organization is pursuing its own vision for digital assessments: “We were not satisfied with the current electronic testing formats available. We wanted higher security and a better user experience.

“The LSAT will be fully digital in North America starting in September 2019,” Testy continued.

“We’ve planned this transition carefully to ensure candidates have all the information they need to decide their preferred testing schedule.”

The transition begins in July, which will help ease students into this dramatic change. During the interim period, some test-takers will be given pencil-and-paper tests, while others will be assigned digital tests (this process is common when phasing out paper-based tests).

Format of the digital LSAT

The digital LSAT is substantively identical to the paper-based LSAT, but with a significant advantage for students: convenience. 

The digital LSAT will have the same format as the paper-based LSAT, so there is no need to worry about new or different content. Test-takers will be allowed to make use of scratch paper during the analytical reasoning questions.

A stylus comes with each tablet, which aids in the underlining or highlighting of text. Navigation bars appear at the bottom of every screen on the digital test, allowing students to flag and return to specific questions.

For test-takers with disabilities, the tablet version also offers flexible type size, built-in screen readers, and other enhancements. 

Beginning with the June 2019 test date, the LSAT’s writing sample will be offered independently.

“The writing section will be separate from the LSAT and administered on a secure online platform,” LSAC announced.

“This change will result in greater convenience and flexibility for test takers as the testing date will be shorter, the essay will be typed rather than handwritten, and it can be completed at a time and place of the test takers’ choosing.” 

2019-2020 LSAT Test Dates

Did you know that LSAC increased the number of test dates in this new year from six to nine? Naturally, this offers prospective law students more options, convenience, and flexibility. Below are the remaining 2018-2019 test dates and a full schedule for 2019-2020.

2018-2019 testing year:

Saturday, January 26, 2019 (8:30 AM)

Saturday, March 30, 2019 (8:30 AM)

2019-2020 testing year:

Monday, June 3, 2019 (12:30 PM)

Monday, July 15, 2019 (12:30 PM)

Saturday, September 21, 2019 (8:30 AM)

Monday, October 28, 2019 (12:30 PM)

Monday, November 25, 2019 (12:30 AM)

Monday, January 13, 2020 (12:30 PM)

Saturday, February 22, 2020 (8:30 AM)

Monday, March 30, 2020 (12:30 PM)

Saturday, April 25, 2020 (8:30 AM)

Remember to register well in advance for your chosen date. You’ll want to plan according to your application deadlines, means of preparation, and course of LSAT study. If you want to practice for the LSAT, please find here some free LSAT practice questions that also come with detailed explanations of the solutions.

The takeaway

While you don’t need to study any new material to excel on the digital LSAT, you may want to keep one important factor in mind—practicing on a tablet.

Naturally, sitting for a test on a device is different from doing so on paper, and this means that your practice—even including mock exams—needs to reflect that. If you are able to do sample exercises in front of a screen with a stylus in-hand, you’ll feel more comfortable on exam day.

In the end, every test must evolve and change. Thankfully, these changes on the LSAT seem to be for the better.

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