LSAT Exam Trends: Rising Preference for Remote Testing Among Aspiring Lawyers

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is undergoing a significant shift in candidate preferences, with over half of the registered examinees now opting for the convenience of taking the test from their homes. Recent Law School Admission Council data reveals that out of the 19,463 candidates enrolled for this month's LSAT, 61% have chosen to complete the exam remotely. In contrast, 39% have opted for the traditional in-person format at designated test centers.
 

This noteworthy trend emerges as the LSAT introduces a groundbreaking change to its testing dynamics. For the August test, spread across a Friday and Saturday, candidates were given the unique opportunity to choose between remote or in-person formats. This decision, officially announced by the council in April, marks a departure from the exclusive online administration of the LSAT since May 2020—a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent limitations on in-person gatherings. It's worth noting that historically, the LSAT has predominantly been administered in person.
 
However, the option of remote testing has been challenging. Notably, there were technical issues with the previous remote testing administrator, ProctorU, which raised concerns about the integrity of the online exam. Instances of remote proctors assuming control of examinees' screens mid-exam or encountering interruptions due to unreliable Wi-Fi fueled skepticism among test-takers. Despite these issues, the shift toward remote testing remains prominent in the current LSAT landscape.
 
Industry experts, including Steve Schwartz, the founder of LSAT Unplugged, expressed surprise at the relatively lower percentage of candidates choosing in-person testing. Schwartz noted that many candidates had developed trust in the online LSAT format, even with its past problems. This sentiment was shared by Dave Killoran, founder of PowerScore, an LSAT test prep company, who explained that students have grown accustomed to the online format over time and are, therefore, more inclined to choose what they are familiar with.
 
While offering candidates the choice between remote and in-person formats represents a step towards normalcy for the LSAT—a pivotal exam in law school admissions—it coincides with uncertainty. This year, the branch of the American Bar Association responsible for law school accreditation voted to eliminate the requirement for schools to use standardized tests like the LSAT for student admissions, granting institutions more flexibility in their admission processes. However, this decision faced opposition, leading to its suspension in May. Critics, including the council and law school deans, argue that removing the standardized test requirement could result in more subjective admissions decisions and potentially harm diversity in law school admissions.
 
As stated by the council in April, the rationale behind introducing the dual LSAT format is to address test-takers concerns about the testing environment. By allowing candidates to focus solely on the examination rather than the physical setting, the council aimed to enhance the test-taking experience for all participants.