Take this with a grain of salt, but this from my experience taking the exam on the first day of June and the last day of August: If you can manage it, schedule an exam date as far from the first day as you can (ideally the last day).
By that point, LSAC and Prometric will have had a few days under their belt to get the kinks worked out. Most - if not all - of the people there on your day will be there exclusively for the LSAT, so the process will hopefully go smoother when you step up to bat.
Prometric's software/hardware setup isn't top of the line in terms of speed, but it will get the job done. The proctors will hopefully be in a groove by then/less uptight/in a better position to assist you if you do have any issues, and any software issues with the exam that would potentially impact your performance will hopefully be ironed out.
Your experience will not be perfect. The missteps and horrible events will be the loudest on social media, and the good stuff will be nearly silent. You'll hopefully be too tuned in and focused to notice much else around you, and that flow state will be epic.
It's a very stressful time, but it's just an exam.
"But it's an exam that... "
It's just an exam. The first step in a marathon.
You'll get there.
I'm taking it again in September with you guys :)
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Also - after the exam: You will want to not have an obligation keeping you from sleep after you leave the testing center. When that adrenaline leaves, it's going to take a lot of stress with it. Get some sleep!
7 comments
I scheduled mine at the “worst” rated testing center in LA to get a later date. All the better-rated testing centers in LA/SoCal only had early mornings on the first day of the exam. Hopefully I made the right decision. I definitely overthink
@flowerberry Which one?
@AnnaVayser I’ll DM you
@flowerberry @AnnaVayser Keep an eye on the scheduler or call LSAC in the morning - they probably released additional available time slots as more and more people gained access to their schedule portal. I wouldn't be surprised if you see available times if you checked again. Double-check the email LSAC sent out yesterday about rescheduling - I think it said something about being able to change the slot after 11am ET (8am PT?) 8/26 (today). I'm not too clear on how their clocks work, but I appreciate that Prometric is consistent.
If what you have scheduled is good for you, then roll with it. Keep tabs on what unfairly impacts your testing experience and file a complaint as soon as you can to request a retest (you'll have 48 hrs to file the request after the exam).
Taking the first test time the first day isn't the end of the world - chances are in your favor that something could unfairly impact your experience (but I wouldn't count on it - just be aware). Added bonus of an early morning exam is that you'll get out before traffic probably gets too bad. You'll have plenty of time to take a minute to gather yourself after you walk out of the building. The relief is like taking off a shoe you tied too tight and wore too long. Or an undersized bra. At least, that's what I've been told..
@afk I signed up yesterday in NY and they only had 9am or 8:30 slots available. R u saying they might open up later times later?? I was hoping for 10/11 but I signed up for 9 on the last day
@SeanStrauss as people change their schedules and as they open available slots, it's possible. The email says the last day to schedule is 9/2.
@afk Thank you!