For the first time, over the weekend, LSAT examinees had the option to take the exam either in-person at a test center or online. Most, 61 percent, opted to take the test online and, unfortunately, it did not go well.
Test-takers experienced significant delays while attempting to access the exam online on Friday and Saturday, which the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) explained were due to problems with the virtual proctoring system. Mark Murray, Council Spokesman, estimated that “hundreds and hundreds” of examinees were affected, although he did not yet have access to official numbers. This was the first online exam proctored by vendor Prometric.
Kevin Milne, an examinee, shared his experience via Reuters. After logging into the LSAT on Saturday from his home, Milne waited 90 minutes for the online proctor to start his exam. He then finished the three-hour exam, two hours later than expected. And he had to stay in test-taking position for that entire time. “I was so emotionally and mentally exhausted by the last section that it was pretty hard to focus, but I think I might have done okay still,” Milne said.
LSAC issued an apology to test takers, said they are working alongside new vendor Prometric to correct issues, and offered affected examinees the option to retake the exam for free this weekend, August 19th and 20th, either remotely or in-person. Additionally, test takers have the option to reschedule another test at no charge, through June of next year.