When the LSAT was last held at testing sites in late February, the potential extent of Covid-19 was not recognized. The Law School Admissions Council had solved most of the problems that arose on the first few tablet-based LSATs, and continued use of tablets seemed to be the wave of the future. But the Virus forced the cancellation of the March LSAT and then the April LSAT.
Facing a backlog of test candidates, LSAT quickly pivoted and developed a three-section LSAT-flex could be taken online in around two hours. This was offered it the week of May 18, and according to LSAC 99% of candidates were able to complete it. The LSAT-Flex will also be offered online for those who had registered for the June and July exams, since in-person administration has already been cancelled.
The next in-person LSAT scheduled for late August, but with many schools planning for hybrid or even fully online classes in the fall, it seems likely that the next three LSATs will also have to be moved online. And with no certainty about the status of Covid-19 next winter, all candidates for fall 2021 admissions may be taking their LSATs online. I suggest prelaw advisors advise their students that this is very possible–even likely.
So will the in-person LSAT ever return? My best guess is no. LSAC considered moving to online tests several years ago, like the Educational Testing Service, but chose to continue in-person testing with paper and pencil and then tablets. It took a pandemic to force a change in plans, but now that there is no choice, solutions are being developed–and there is likely no going back. If the LSAT-Flex can be successfully administered in June, usually the most-attended exam, then why would LSAC go back to in-person testing?
I administered the LSATs for 8 1/2 years at Touro College, and while I enjoyed working with our excellent proctors, I have to admit that it was becoming a bit old–especially when running the test meant lugging large numbers of suitcases to multiple locations. So if anyone needs tens of thousands of slighly-used tablets, I know where they might find a seller.
–Tom Rozinski