No formal announcement, they just wanted to stick it to us. Glad someone caught it before. EVERYONE needs to adjust.. savage.
Here is the email since others were afraid of sharing.. Im at a loss of words.
Beginning with the September 2016 test, all administrations of the test include five sections and a writing sample. Please see a description of the test at
and
http://www.lsac.org/docs/default-source/jd-docs/statement-of-need.pdf.
Your accommodations for the June and September test are identical. The only thing that has changed is the format of the test. You were not previously granted a waiver of the non-scored section as an accommodation nor are you entitled to one now.
Admin edit: A user posted a screenshot of their email from LSAC as well.
@hope.brinn
51 comments
Anyways, this is awful. I feel for you guys who are getting blindsided by this. I myself cannot comprehend why they think it was OK to just change this without notifying anyone far in advance.
In any case, there really is nothing any of us can do, so my advice going forward is to power through it to the best of your ability. That is all anyone can ever do in the face of adversity like this.
That's cute because i'm bout to sue the dog piss out of them. <3 *flips hair*
@matthewaqeel196
God damnit, LSAC. Isn't it illegal to keep people in a room for 8 hours without at least TWO 15min breaks and one 30min break? Or is that just in my area?
Dear LSAC, if you're reading this, get ready to fight another legal battle.
Haha exactly @7sagestudentservices. I stand firmly with all who are going through this unfair scrutiny. You guys are going to kill the LSAT whether you have 5 or 8 sections!! Don't let unfair heartless rules get in the way of your dreams. You're all too strong for this to bring you down!
It's like LSAC woke up one morning and said, "I'm in the mood to get sued"
Well that blows. But, as a test taker sitting in September with accommodations I have no choice but to power through it and do the best I can. I'm not going to let an extra section stop me from becoming a bad ass attorney.
Nope, just your area and some states , if you're looking at the LSAT as a "work day". Breaks and lunches are not required by US Federal law, nor is an 8 hour work day...
For the 20 states that have meal guidelines, it kicks in after 5 or 6 hours. Even fewer states have break requirements.
https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/workhours/breaks
I know that was more than likely rhetorical but the HR person in me couldn't resist...
Nope, deadline was Aug. 10th. How convenient for them...
@tofuspeedstar639 You guys are so inspirational seriously.
They're so dirty... They purposely don't use the word "accommodation" there. But herein lies a paradox.. if you can now receive a "waiver" to be exempt from the non-scored section, doesn't that constitute what an accommodation is supposed to do? And if that's the case, and we've been afforded that "waiver" in the past, aren't we supposed to be entitled to the same accommodations, or waivers, we've received in the past? I know a potential term shift fallacy is screaming , but I just don't see how you differentiate "waivers" and "accommodations".. #justsayin'
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Thanks Steph, that's actually pretty interesting to read.
I'd assume that unless LSAC sent out a mass email before the LSAT, people would be walking in to take their accommodations and get slapped in the face with the experimental section. That's more than likely still going to happen to some people since we can't widespread this thread to everyone taking accomms, which really, really grinds my gears. People who need accommodations (myself included) are already treated so poorly by society when trying to get into the workforce and this is just another subtle form of "disabled people shouldn't work because we don't see them as people". When people like LSAC throw these jabs at us, other people will see it and follow suite.
I'm not going to get too heated on this topic since it's something I'm pretty passionate about and don't want to run away with my thoughts, but that's just what I'm feeling now. Hope everyone who's taking accommodations is okay during the LSAT. Bring extra energy snacks and such.
It would be somewhat understandable if they announced this right after the june administration.. , but the fact that the deadline to alter your accommodations request was two weeks ago combined with the fact that every accommodated test taker has been preparing months, if not years, for four sections is outright despicable. I cant believe how patently unfair this is?! ONE MONTH BEFORE? I'm SHOCKED that they did this.. I dont know what to say.
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@tofuspeedstar639 @476.rizeq @matthewaqeel196 People with accommodations have the experimental section. I confirmed with the LSAC multiple times and on my Confirmation letter it says 5 section test booklet and it says the variable section receives just as much time as the other sections. So we will take 5 sections and a writing sample.
Nope, I can pretty much guarantee it will have an experimental. I say this because my letter in Feb mentioned "4 section book." However, this time it says, "5 section book."
Unless, people getting double time are only getting the 4 sections.
LSAC: Makes last minute changes to the accommodations.
Everyone: Hey the deadline's over but I literally can't do your changes, can we get another break?
LSAC: :) No.
I have accom for the sept test, still gonna power through. I look at it as another hurdle I have to get over, I'm just glad my medication lasts 11+ hours and I don't to have to stress about changing my medication due to the extended time added
Okay THAT is super fucked up. You can't send out a change after the deadline, c'mon LSAT.
Yeah, the lack of notification blows..but, I'd save the grievances for after we crush the exam next month :)
I got the same reply from there. In my reply to them, I have sent them the following email:
Hello,
Thanks for your email. I understand, and have no issue with writing a 5th section on the LSAT. However, LSAC has to realize that I will be spending well over 6 hours doing the test. My illness requires me to eat medications, to be taken along with food. Also, LSAC only allows one small ziplock bag where we are supposed to fit in everything for the test, including snacks.
How does LSAC expect me to fit my snack, lunch, pencils, erasers, etc in one small bag and make it last for over 6 hours? I am afraid I will have to miss medications due to this and risk being sick and being incapacitated because of the limitations that LSAC places on me.
Would LSAC allow for a lunch break or allow the accommodated writers to bring in additional snacks and/or lunch?
I am also copying the Department of Justice on this email as I feel like they should know about my concern, which I am sure will be the concern of many.
@7sagestudentservices preach on brother. I couldn't have articulated it any better.
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