Standing up during LSAT

[Nadia0702]

Hi PowerScore,

I am trying to find information on this on the LSAC site but I can't find anything so I thought I'd try my luck here. Does anyone know if you are prohibited from standing up during the test while still taking the exam? i.e. taking portions of the test while standing? I know it may sound ridiculous, but I can't find anything that specifically prohibits it on the LSAC site.

Toward the end of my practice tests I get terrible cramps in my shoulders that are alleviated by standing up and continuing that way.

Thanks for any insight.

Nadia

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Nadia,

This falls under one of those things they don't specifically prohibit (because they can't actively prohibit everything they don't like) but that would still represent a problem. There are two ways this would present an issue for them:

• 1. It's a possible cheating aid.
  
  While I know you don't mean to use it in that way, by standing up your view of the surrounding test takers (and their answer sheets) is enhanced, and so they don't want people standing stationary during the test.
  
  2. It's distracting to the other test takers near you.
  
  I know that if someone was standing next to me it would be distracting, and if it happened a lot it would probably be annoying. On that point, the test administrators could say that it is disruptive, and they'd be able to make that stick since "The test supervisor has sole discretion in determining what constitutes disruptive behavior."

The bottom line is that I think they'd ask you to stop standing up immediately, and there's a chance if you got a strict proctor that you could get written up (which I don't think would come to anything, but you don't want the hold on your file while you wait for them to make that determination).

There is a way around this, but it is neither easy nor typically cheap. I've worked with students in the past who had medical reasons for being unable to sit for extended periods of time, and they applied for accommodated testing conditions to allow them to stand up and move as needed. Sounds perfect, right? The problem is that obtaining accommodated testing is not a fast process (several months, usually) and it often requires multiple certifications as to the medical situation that is the basis for the request. That typically means doctor consultations, forms being filled out and signed, etc if this is a condition you are trying to establish now. So, if you were looking at the December LSAT, it's too late to apply for this now.

Please let me know if that helps (well, it probably didn't help, but at least I think I answered the question ). Thanks!

[Nadia0702]

Hi Dave,
Thanks for the response to this - it helps. I figured as much, but thought I'd ask anyway I don't have a medical reason for obtaining the accommodated testing, so I definitely wouldn't go that route. My best (and only) option at this point is to work on relaxing while I take the test. The "pain" is of my own doing anyway - I get really tense to the point where it's prevented me from studying as much as I'd like to because of neck/shoulder/back pain. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise anyway and a sign that sometimes you've just got to stop

Thanks again for your response!

Nadia