Preparing For The Digital LSAT

LSAC has announced that they will be transitioning to a paperless, tablet computer-based LSAT test beginning with the July 15, 2019 LSAT. In this quick informational post, we get you ready for the transition to digital testing.

Do I still have time to take the paper version of the LSAT?

No, the LSAT is now only administered in digital format. There is no reason, however, to be anxious. The digital test is still just the same test, as we will discuss next.

Are They Changing The Test Format or Questions For The Digital LSAT?

No! Other than the fact that the questions will be displayed on a tablet, there is no change whatsoever to the format or questions. The questions are displayed on the screen and that answers will be input into the tablet, but the content is exactly what you are used to (or will become used to, once you prepare properly!)

In fact, if you wish to use it, there will be scrap paper provided to diagram games and LR problems, so it isn’t entirely “paperless. There is also a feature for “flagging” questions that you wish to return to a quickly navigating back to them, which should make it easier to find your way back to questions than it was in the past.

Yes, taking a test on a tablet may feel awkward (especially perhaps, for older people like myself who have never really used a tablet). LSAC appears to be doing everything possible to make sure the transition is smooth even for the technologically challenged. LSAC has now made three sections from Preptest 73 available in digital LSAT format along with some tutorials on how to use the digital LSAT platform.

Why Are They Changing To Digital?

It appears to have some major benefits. In addition to being perhaps more secure, the digital test is easier to administer frequently. From the cycle beginning in June 2019, there will be nine LSATs administered per each yearly cycle. That is five additional administrations each year more than under the old system.

Perhaps the best benefit will be a quicker turnaround on the score release. It is not expected to be instant—they still have to adjust the scaled scores based on test taker data and all the other stuff that is a typical part of the score release process. However, not having to physically mail the test sheets is expected to greatly speed up the process (and avoid people’s test sheets going missing, which has happened in the past!)

Is Lawschooli.com Changing Its Prep Course At All To Reflect The Transition To Digital?

For those of you who have signed up or are thinking of signing up for our new FULL LSAT course. We are already all digital, including the interactive quizzes. We currently don’t provide the LSAT questions themselves, as it is much, much cheaper for you if we avoid licensing fees, keep the course fee super low, and allow you to buy LSAT questions separately to then work along our explanations. Currently, the cheapest way to buy the preptests is still in the paper format on Amazon, but we will keep you updated if digital practice versions of past tests become available.

That is the quick and dirty on transitioning to the digital LSAT. For more information check out their FAQ page here!