There are currently major problems regarding both the quality of remote testing and the availability of in person testing for the LSAT. Despite accessing the scheduling system immediately after it opened, many of us found out that there was absolutely no availability for in person testing. I personally could not sign up for an in-person test in NYC for any of the four October test days, and many other test takers from around the country experienced similar issues.

Test takers from California, Florida, Texas, Oregon and Illinois who shared their experiences on Reddit, also had zero availability for in person testing. People were being directed to sign up at test locations over three hours from where they live and even then, they were limited to 8 AM appointments for only 1-2 of the 4 test days in October.

Prometric needs to do more to increase LSAT testing capacity in test centers, especially considering the reason for the increased demand regarding in person testing is that Prometric proctors are so poorly trained. Prometric proctors seemingly do not understand the basic rules or etiquette of proctoring the LSAT remotely. This test is stressful enough, but the failure we are seeing on the part of LSAC and Prometric is unacceptable, and it is causing unnecessary stress for applicants this admissions cycle. For test takers like me who live in apartments where noise problems can be unpredictable, in person testing was a chance to mitigate those concerns. Especially since the use of noise canceling headphones are only allowed for those who test in person. 

There have been widespread issues for remote testers since Prometric took over proctoring a few months ago. Proctors have been interrupting tests to enforce rules that do not apply to the LSAT. Test Takers have complained about proctors frequently interrupting exams to tell them they cannot touch their face or that they must remove foam earplugs, even though test takers are allowed to engage in both behaviors. When we signed up for our remote tests, we even got instructions from Prometric that we were not allowed to have paper, writing utensils or a drink in our surrounding area when taking the test. These instructions are not correct as scrap paper and writing utensils are a crucial part of taking the LSAT. We are also allowed to drink water during the exam. So why is LSAC okay with Prometric sending us instructions that are clearly incorrect?

LSAC likes to point out that LSAT rules supersede Prometric instructions, but these contradictions confuse test takers and proctors alike. Using proctors that do not know the rules of the exam they are proctoring is unacceptable. These problems need to be addressed at the highest levels of LSAC and Prometric. With all of this in mind, below are a list of suggestions that LSAT test takers would like to see enacted by Prometric & LSAC.

• Provide Proctors with a one sheet list of rules that they must read before starting the exam. Include a list of items that are allowed.
• Stress that Proctors should not talk to the test takers unless it is a serious issue.
• Stress that Proctors should not warn test takers for touching their face. Only warn them if they cover their face for extended periods.
• If proctors have a non-security related matter to address, please do so in between sections or on a break. Instruct proctors to think very carefully before interrupting a session.
• Reiterate to proctors that certain items are allowed without accommodation. Provide a list of items allowed at workstations, and ask proctors to refer to the list before challenging an item.
• Stress that proctors leaving in the middle of exams or joining in the middle of exams and then interrupting tests to merely say goodbye or introduce themselves is not okay. All efforts should be made for one proctor to sit through an entire exam, but if that is not possible, test takers should not be interrupted when proctors leave or arrive mid exam. This includes prohibiting new proctors from asking test takers to go over security protocols mid exam.
• LSAC should pressure Prometric to keep track of which proctors are creating problems for test takers and mandate a re-training session before allowing them to proctor again. If the problems continue, they should be barred from proctoring LSAT tests altogether.
• Regarding in person test capacity, Prometric should limit the amount of non-LSAT test takers testing in person on LSAT days. The scheduling for an LSAT exam is limited to certain days and other exams Prometric offers in person, like the GRE, are not.

I hope that LSAC is taking these issues seriously and working hard to address them. For many of us, this is the most important test that we have ever taken, and it will have a tremendous impact on our future. This process is already stressful enough. Many of us that are being forced to test remotely, feel that we are at a disadvantage compared to the select few who were able to get in-person testing slots. We are going to be judged the same by admissions offices regardless of the issues we may experience during the remote LSAT. More needs to be done to ensure a level playing field for all test takers. These problems are impacting our scores. The lack of improvement over the last few months undermines LSAC and will continue to push people towards LSAT alternatives.