New and electronic LSATs

ChaimtheGreat

Word on the street is that LSAC is making some changes. The move to electronic exams has been in the works but I hadn’t heard the LSAT was thinking of expanding to 10 exams. I’m curious, what do you guys think of the change?

samantha.ashley92

I need to mark up RC and LR. Idk how I would be able to perform as well if I couldn't use a pencil on an RC passage!

ChaimtheGreat

My understanding based on my reading is that the tablet lets you write and underline on the screen. Still might be irksome for some test takers.

_oshun1_

I wouldn’t mind but I don’t want to stare at a screen for 5 hrs straight.

MindyKale

would the screen force people to shuffle pages back n forth for RC or LG questions? That'd suck. i.e. if I have to look at my general diagram I'd have to scroll a page and then read Q.

Habeas Porpoise

I'm not a fan, tbh -- and I'm saying this as someone who took notes on an iPad for her entire sophomore year. I read more thoroughly and closely on paper and have a tendency to skim when it's electronic. I just like the fact that printed letter are directly on the page while electronic is sort of reflected(?). Not sure how to describe that exactly, but the light seems to make my dry eyes worse when I stare at a screen for too long. Plus marking-up is so much easier on paper.
In the end, I guess it's all personal preference. But if they're looking to make a shorter, adaptive exam like the GRE (highly doubt that though), then of course electronic would probably be the best option.

ATLsat_2019

I took the experimental digital test in October and found the tablets really cumbersome to use and found it distracting to not be using actual paper. I'm not a fan of the digital format at all but if they do go that route I hope they'll develop a better interface. I felt like trying to read from the tablet and navigate around really slowed me down.

samantha.ashley92

@ATLsat_2019 I can't believe they're already in testing stages!

ATLsat_2019

@"samantha.ashley92" yeah I believe there have been two experimental digital tests so far! If there's one in the future it's worth signing up for, because they reimburse you for the cost of your actual test if you take it.

Lucas Carter

I think it would make more sense to find a way to instantly score paper tests and provide digitally formatted analytics to test takers. The results could come out 24 hours after the exam date to ensure there is no opportunity for cheating by communicating with a test taker at another test facility. The contention that reading on a screen is vastly different than on paper is very common and appears well founded.

Nunuboy1994

I personally think the major benefit of moving to an electronic platform is more privacy; well, unless they administer the tests on tablets and still require you take it in a room filled with a bunch of people. I personally hate having to take the test with a bunch of other people. When I took the GRE it was such a chill day- just walked in after class without anyone there and got a fairly good score. It’s so much easier to think clearly in a private cubicle setting with soundproof headphones.

ChaimtheGreat

What I don't understand is why we wouldn't be able to move the tablet. When I took the exam, I liked to have my test slanted at like a 245 degree angle. Then again, small price to pay for more access.