Tips for the LSAT-Flex and Remote LSAT
Transcript
Hi and welcome to this video from Magoosh on taking the LSAT-Flex. The LSAT-Flex is the new at-home shorter LSAT that some of you may be taking. And so if you are currently registered for an LSAT-Flex administration or you are thinking about registering for or taking the test in a month, that may turn into an LSAT-Flex administration, then this video is for you. So in this video we're going to cover how the LSAT-Flex is different from the regular in person LSAT.
How to prepare for an at-home test that is given online like the LSAT-Flex. How to modify your practice test for the LSAT-Flex. And importantly, how to predict your LSAT-Flex scaled score. And some frequently asked questions about the LSAT-Flex. And some tips and learnings we've had along the way. Now that we've had a chance to see what the LSAT-FLEX looks like.
So first of all, why the LSAT-FLEX? Well, if you're totally new to this, it was launched in May 2020. It was for students who had registered in March and April and had their in-person test for the LSAT canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. So it is now an at home option for tests that continue to be disrupted and we will see for how long LSAT-Flexes are offered.
At this point in time, you should be prepared to potentially take an LSAT-FLEX administration. So let's go ahead and go through some of the key differences. So first of all, it's much shorter. That's a good thing for a lot of students. It's two hours instead of three and a half hours.
Because it is a relatively short test in the grand scheme of standardized testing, you will get no break. So it's two hours straight. And in those two hours you will see three sections, one of each of the section types that appears on the LSAT. So one logic game section, one logical reasoning, and one reading comprehension section.
So what is missing is one of the two logical reasoning sections that you would have seen on a regular in-person LSAT and the experimental section that always appears on an in-person LSAT administration. So three sections compared to five sections. The scale score is going to be the same. So your raw score is gonna be different because you're gonna have one fewer scored section, but is still gonna convert to that 120 to 180 scaled score that you are familiar with.
And the LSAT writing is given separately on both tests. So that is not a change there. So how can you prepare for at home testing like the LSAT-FLEX? Well, let's go over a few important things to know. So first of all, the way that it works is you're gonna be monitored by a live remote proctor via the camera and mic in your computer.
I'm gonna talk a little bit more about the proctor in just a minute because most of the questions and concerns that students have been bringing up after they've taken the LSAT-FLEX has been around the proctor situation. You can use either a laptop or a desktop to take the test. You can use Mac or Windows. And if you have accommodations, you will receive equivalent accommodations on the LSAT-FLEX.
And LSAC should be contacting you about those accommodations. If not, you should definitely write in before your test approaches. ProctorU is the company that is being used to administer LSAT-FLEXes right now. So they do have a tool where you can test your setup well in advance of the test. We also recommend that you test it again an hour before the test. Make sure that all of your technology is completely set up so you don't have any last minute worries.
So go to the ProctorU website and you'll be able to test to make sure you have all the things that you need to take the LSAT-FLEX. You should also be emailed that information from LSAC if you are registered. So I mentioned the proctor situation. Now these are human proctors, and just like taking the in-person test, where you would also have a proctor, every Proctor is different.
And so I know that a lot of attention has been getting put into improving the proctor experience, improving proctor training. But this is something that LSAC had to roll out quickly. And for thousands of students, and so there definitely have been some hiccups. Some proctors who didn't know all of the exact rules for the LSAT-FLEX, for example, or that you have scratch paper.
You can have scratch paper. We'll talk about that in a minute. So the best way that you can be prepared for the situation with dealing with the proctor is first of all, know that it's going to be a thing. You may even want to take a practice test with someone sitting in the room kind of watching you.
Just getting used to that experience of feeling like you're been personally watched. You can also be prepared by just knowing what you're allowed to have and what the rules are and making sure that you're able to calmly explain that to the proctor so that they can check things on there end. And just be flexible, just like if you're taking an in-person tests, things can go wrong.
There can be distractions, there can be noises, it's going to be the same thing at home as well. So just mentally prepare yourself going into this, feel really prepared to everything that's in your control and know that there will likely be some things that are outside of your control as well. So you may be wondering how you can modify your practice tests, knowing what I told you about the sections being different for the LSAT-FLEX.
So good news is it's pretty easy. You can take any official LSAT test and turn it into an LSAT-FLEX, simply by removing one of the two logical reasoning sections. So you want to just have one section of each type. So analytical reasoning or the logic game section as it's typically called, a logical reasoning section, and a reading comprehension section.
If you're using an official practice test, note that it doesn't contain the experimental section already. That's not something that LSAC releases. So, what you should be looking at is a four section test and you're gonna remove one of the logical reasoning sections. By I bring that up in case you happen to be using a test from somewhere else that has put together five sections for you to practice with.
You also would want to remove that experimental section. Okay, important question. Let's talk about how to score your LSAT-FLEX. So just like on the regular LSAT, what you're gonna do is you're just gonna add up your raw score of questions correct. And then you're going to use a chart to convert that to a scaled score.
Now we don't know a ton about LSAT-Flex scoring because there are currently no released LSAT-Flex tests. So what we can do right now is do our best calculations to create a conversion table that roughly will adjust the curve like you would see on the actual in-person LSAT. So we've created a score conversion table for you.
So that is my recommendation. Go to the Magoosh LSAT blog, magoosh.com/lsat. You can search for LSAT-FLEX score conversion table and it will pop up. Or you can use the link in the notes below this video. So go there, will give you a good range. It should get you in the ballpark of what your scaled score should be knowing that there's still some uncertainties about how the test is scored.
So remember, the LSAT does equate scores for each individual test sitting. So even though there are fewer questions on the LSAT-FLEX, you're still being measured against everybody else as taking the test In that setting. So it should work out that say a 170 on the regular LSAT should be roughly equivalent to a 170 on the LSAT-FLEX because you're being measured against everybody else that is taking the test with you.
So let's talk about some frequently asked questions. Is the LSAT-FLEX easier or harder? Well It depends, it depends mainly on your at-home testing setup. A lot of students are preferring to take the test at home. And taking the shorter version means that you don't have to worry so much about your endurance or fading towards the end of the test.
But if you're in a situation where you're at-home, testing setup is you're in a distracting environment. You have family at home, you have kids, you just don't have quiet focus space, then it may be harder to concentrate, or if you're worried about your Internet setup. That's probably the major difference that you are going to be dealing with, but they LSAT-Flex.
One thing I will mention, I mean, it could. Whether you think it's easier or harder could depend slightly on how strong you feel you are at logical reasoning. So you're going to have one section of logical reasoning not two sections. So if you happen to greatly outperform or typically outperform your peers on logical reasoning, then the curve might be a little bit less to your advantage on the LSAT-FLEX than it would have been otherwise.
But as I've been saying, I think most students are preferring the LSAT-Flex because of its shorter length and because it eliminates the mystery of that experimental section. So no mind games about whether or not that section that you're struggling with is the one that counts towards your score or not. Another frequently asked question, can I pick my own testing time?
Yes, you can. It will be within a window of a day or two that is being scheduled for that test administration. But once scheduling starts for the LSAT-FLEX testing times, which will be a few weeks before your test date, you'll be able to select from a variety of start times.
What can you have with you? Well, this is super important, five blank sheets of scratch paper. Make sure that they're really blank sheets. Make sure that they're not just things you've ripped out of your notebook. We've heard experiences of proctors having difficulties with students, or taking issue with students who had scratch paper that looked a little funky.
So clean five blank sheets of scratch paper. You'll need your ID. That's super important, you're gonna need to show that to the proctor. You can use pencils, No 2 are good ones. You can use a highlighter and you can use a manual eraser, no digital or electronic erasers.
I'm not even sure what that means. I'd love to know what those are. But have them so good old fashioned manual eraser. You have a pencil sharpener for your pencils as well. And you can have an analog wristwatch if you want. It's not required.
Can't be digital, it can't be an Apple watch or anything like that. But you can have an analog watch if you would like. I'd recommend that just so that you've got another source of time if you feel like you need that. You can have tissues with you as well. And you have one beverage in a clear plastic container, max 20 oz.
The LSAC website goes into all of this in detail, so make sure you check out their list as well. What can't you have? Well, you can't have a cellphone except for one moment during check-in where you could use it as a mirror. If the proctor does ask you to use that to check your environment, make sure you don't have any monitors behind the screen that you're using, etc.
So you might need it during check-in. So have it nearby, but otherwise put it away. And you cannot have any other electronics except for the computer you're using. So some things people might forget about are their Apple Watch, or maybe a monitor that they typically use that you're not using for this test. You cannot have any books with you.
No written notes, no bags. No hats or hoods, except for religious apparel and no sunglasses. So one big concern that a lot of students have is just concerns about the space. If they don't have good internet, Internet or a quiet test space, what do they do? Well, the good news is that LSAC is helping students out. They did book hotel rooms for some students who were in need.
They gave loaners computers to students who are needed a previous LSAT-FLEX administration. So there is an options forum in your account. Make sure you contact LSAC if you need help So, what if you lose Internet? Or someone walks into the room or you need to use the restroom? Well, you should know there is an option for the proctor to pause your session.
So if it gets interrupted, you lose Internet briefly. They can pause the section and you can resume it. But you should know it's at the Proctor's discretion whether or not you can continue. So let's say someone walks into the room. Well, if they just say, shoot, I didn't realize you were here and walk out probably totally fine.
If they say the answer to number 12 is C, you're probably going to get your test canceled. So try to minimize those interruptions but know that they understand if life happens for the most part. But if you do need to use the restroom, that is not allowed, so you cannot leave the view of the camera.
Now we have heard from some students that their proctor did let them have a break. Technically, that's not allowed. You shouldn't plan on it. You should plan to remain in camera view the entire time. Those are the rules. So there's a lot more questions that you may have about the LSAT-Flex.
This is just to get you started. We do have more information on the Magoosh LSAT blog. We have links in the notes below or you can go to Magoosh.com/LSAT and search for LSAT-Flex. The LSAC official website also has some pretty good FAQ pages. So make sure you check out the official site as well.
It will cover everything from what happens if your pet walks in the room. Spoiler alert, it's fine. They can chill in the background as long as they're not feeding you answers. We'll also include the notes, the link to those pages in the notes below this video. And now it's time to get started studying.
So the good news is it's a shorter test but all the same question types and Magoosh has strategy lessons covering all of the question types that you'll see on the LSAT. And we have over 7,000 official LSAT questions for you to practice with. So, plenty to practice with and we are here if you need us to help. Just give us a shout.
Read full transcriptHow to prepare for an at-home test that is given online like the LSAT-Flex. How to modify your practice test for the LSAT-Flex. And importantly, how to predict your LSAT-Flex scaled score. And some frequently asked questions about the LSAT-Flex. And some tips and learnings we've had along the way. Now that we've had a chance to see what the LSAT-FLEX looks like.
So first of all, why the LSAT-FLEX? Well, if you're totally new to this, it was launched in May 2020. It was for students who had registered in March and April and had their in-person test for the LSAT canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. So it is now an at home option for tests that continue to be disrupted and we will see for how long LSAT-Flexes are offered.
At this point in time, you should be prepared to potentially take an LSAT-FLEX administration. So let's go ahead and go through some of the key differences. So first of all, it's much shorter. That's a good thing for a lot of students. It's two hours instead of three and a half hours.
Because it is a relatively short test in the grand scheme of standardized testing, you will get no break. So it's two hours straight. And in those two hours you will see three sections, one of each of the section types that appears on the LSAT. So one logic game section, one logical reasoning, and one reading comprehension section.
So what is missing is one of the two logical reasoning sections that you would have seen on a regular in-person LSAT and the experimental section that always appears on an in-person LSAT administration. So three sections compared to five sections. The scale score is going to be the same. So your raw score is gonna be different because you're gonna have one fewer scored section, but is still gonna convert to that 120 to 180 scaled score that you are familiar with.
And the LSAT writing is given separately on both tests. So that is not a change there. So how can you prepare for at home testing like the LSAT-FLEX? Well, let's go over a few important things to know. So first of all, the way that it works is you're gonna be monitored by a live remote proctor via the camera and mic in your computer.
I'm gonna talk a little bit more about the proctor in just a minute because most of the questions and concerns that students have been bringing up after they've taken the LSAT-FLEX has been around the proctor situation. You can use either a laptop or a desktop to take the test. You can use Mac or Windows. And if you have accommodations, you will receive equivalent accommodations on the LSAT-FLEX.
And LSAC should be contacting you about those accommodations. If not, you should definitely write in before your test approaches. ProctorU is the company that is being used to administer LSAT-FLEXes right now. So they do have a tool where you can test your setup well in advance of the test. We also recommend that you test it again an hour before the test. Make sure that all of your technology is completely set up so you don't have any last minute worries.
So go to the ProctorU website and you'll be able to test to make sure you have all the things that you need to take the LSAT-FLEX. You should also be emailed that information from LSAC if you are registered. So I mentioned the proctor situation. Now these are human proctors, and just like taking the in-person test, where you would also have a proctor, every Proctor is different.
And so I know that a lot of attention has been getting put into improving the proctor experience, improving proctor training. But this is something that LSAC had to roll out quickly. And for thousands of students, and so there definitely have been some hiccups. Some proctors who didn't know all of the exact rules for the LSAT-FLEX, for example, or that you have scratch paper.
You can have scratch paper. We'll talk about that in a minute. So the best way that you can be prepared for the situation with dealing with the proctor is first of all, know that it's going to be a thing. You may even want to take a practice test with someone sitting in the room kind of watching you.
Just getting used to that experience of feeling like you're been personally watched. You can also be prepared by just knowing what you're allowed to have and what the rules are and making sure that you're able to calmly explain that to the proctor so that they can check things on there end. And just be flexible, just like if you're taking an in-person tests, things can go wrong.
There can be distractions, there can be noises, it's going to be the same thing at home as well. So just mentally prepare yourself going into this, feel really prepared to everything that's in your control and know that there will likely be some things that are outside of your control as well. So you may be wondering how you can modify your practice tests, knowing what I told you about the sections being different for the LSAT-FLEX.
So good news is it's pretty easy. You can take any official LSAT test and turn it into an LSAT-FLEX, simply by removing one of the two logical reasoning sections. So you want to just have one section of each type. So analytical reasoning or the logic game section as it's typically called, a logical reasoning section, and a reading comprehension section.
If you're using an official practice test, note that it doesn't contain the experimental section already. That's not something that LSAC releases. So, what you should be looking at is a four section test and you're gonna remove one of the logical reasoning sections. By I bring that up in case you happen to be using a test from somewhere else that has put together five sections for you to practice with.
You also would want to remove that experimental section. Okay, important question. Let's talk about how to score your LSAT-FLEX. So just like on the regular LSAT, what you're gonna do is you're just gonna add up your raw score of questions correct. And then you're going to use a chart to convert that to a scaled score.
Now we don't know a ton about LSAT-Flex scoring because there are currently no released LSAT-Flex tests. So what we can do right now is do our best calculations to create a conversion table that roughly will adjust the curve like you would see on the actual in-person LSAT. So we've created a score conversion table for you.
So that is my recommendation. Go to the Magoosh LSAT blog, magoosh.com/lsat. You can search for LSAT-FLEX score conversion table and it will pop up. Or you can use the link in the notes below this video. So go there, will give you a good range. It should get you in the ballpark of what your scaled score should be knowing that there's still some uncertainties about how the test is scored.
So remember, the LSAT does equate scores for each individual test sitting. So even though there are fewer questions on the LSAT-FLEX, you're still being measured against everybody else as taking the test In that setting. So it should work out that say a 170 on the regular LSAT should be roughly equivalent to a 170 on the LSAT-FLEX because you're being measured against everybody else that is taking the test with you.
So let's talk about some frequently asked questions. Is the LSAT-FLEX easier or harder? Well It depends, it depends mainly on your at-home testing setup. A lot of students are preferring to take the test at home. And taking the shorter version means that you don't have to worry so much about your endurance or fading towards the end of the test.
But if you're in a situation where you're at-home, testing setup is you're in a distracting environment. You have family at home, you have kids, you just don't have quiet focus space, then it may be harder to concentrate, or if you're worried about your Internet setup. That's probably the major difference that you are going to be dealing with, but they LSAT-Flex.
One thing I will mention, I mean, it could. Whether you think it's easier or harder could depend slightly on how strong you feel you are at logical reasoning. So you're going to have one section of logical reasoning not two sections. So if you happen to greatly outperform or typically outperform your peers on logical reasoning, then the curve might be a little bit less to your advantage on the LSAT-FLEX than it would have been otherwise.
But as I've been saying, I think most students are preferring the LSAT-Flex because of its shorter length and because it eliminates the mystery of that experimental section. So no mind games about whether or not that section that you're struggling with is the one that counts towards your score or not. Another frequently asked question, can I pick my own testing time?
Yes, you can. It will be within a window of a day or two that is being scheduled for that test administration. But once scheduling starts for the LSAT-FLEX testing times, which will be a few weeks before your test date, you'll be able to select from a variety of start times.
What can you have with you? Well, this is super important, five blank sheets of scratch paper. Make sure that they're really blank sheets. Make sure that they're not just things you've ripped out of your notebook. We've heard experiences of proctors having difficulties with students, or taking issue with students who had scratch paper that looked a little funky.
So clean five blank sheets of scratch paper. You'll need your ID. That's super important, you're gonna need to show that to the proctor. You can use pencils, No 2 are good ones. You can use a highlighter and you can use a manual eraser, no digital or electronic erasers.
I'm not even sure what that means. I'd love to know what those are. But have them so good old fashioned manual eraser. You have a pencil sharpener for your pencils as well. And you can have an analog wristwatch if you want. It's not required.
Can't be digital, it can't be an Apple watch or anything like that. But you can have an analog watch if you would like. I'd recommend that just so that you've got another source of time if you feel like you need that. You can have tissues with you as well. And you have one beverage in a clear plastic container, max 20 oz.
The LSAC website goes into all of this in detail, so make sure you check out their list as well. What can't you have? Well, you can't have a cellphone except for one moment during check-in where you could use it as a mirror. If the proctor does ask you to use that to check your environment, make sure you don't have any monitors behind the screen that you're using, etc.
So you might need it during check-in. So have it nearby, but otherwise put it away. And you cannot have any other electronics except for the computer you're using. So some things people might forget about are their Apple Watch, or maybe a monitor that they typically use that you're not using for this test. You cannot have any books with you.
No written notes, no bags. No hats or hoods, except for religious apparel and no sunglasses. So one big concern that a lot of students have is just concerns about the space. If they don't have good internet, Internet or a quiet test space, what do they do? Well, the good news is that LSAC is helping students out. They did book hotel rooms for some students who were in need.
They gave loaners computers to students who are needed a previous LSAT-FLEX administration. So there is an options forum in your account. Make sure you contact LSAC if you need help So, what if you lose Internet? Or someone walks into the room or you need to use the restroom? Well, you should know there is an option for the proctor to pause your session.
So if it gets interrupted, you lose Internet briefly. They can pause the section and you can resume it. But you should know it's at the Proctor's discretion whether or not you can continue. So let's say someone walks into the room. Well, if they just say, shoot, I didn't realize you were here and walk out probably totally fine.
If they say the answer to number 12 is C, you're probably going to get your test canceled. So try to minimize those interruptions but know that they understand if life happens for the most part. But if you do need to use the restroom, that is not allowed, so you cannot leave the view of the camera.
Now we have heard from some students that their proctor did let them have a break. Technically, that's not allowed. You shouldn't plan on it. You should plan to remain in camera view the entire time. Those are the rules. So there's a lot more questions that you may have about the LSAT-Flex.
This is just to get you started. We do have more information on the Magoosh LSAT blog. We have links in the notes below or you can go to Magoosh.com/LSAT and search for LSAT-Flex. The LSAC official website also has some pretty good FAQ pages. So make sure you check out the official site as well.
It will cover everything from what happens if your pet walks in the room. Spoiler alert, it's fine. They can chill in the background as long as they're not feeding you answers. We'll also include the notes, the link to those pages in the notes below this video. And now it's time to get started studying.
So the good news is it's a shorter test but all the same question types and Magoosh has strategy lessons covering all of the question types that you'll see on the LSAT. And we have over 7,000 official LSAT questions for you to practice with. So, plenty to practice with and we are here if you need us to help. Just give us a shout.
