Using standard analog watch as a timer? Reset to 12

[Jax09876]

Hello everyone, I know some sources online suggest resetting your regular analog watch to 12 before each section to time yourself during the LSAT. That way you aren't trying to do math during the test to figure out how much time is left. Since this is kind of a form of "timing" yourself and the LSAC site says no timing devices are allowed, would this still be acceptable? I know if they do see the watch it will be fine but I don't want to get questioned if they see me fiddling with it right before every section (though it only takes a few seconds). Thanks!

[Adam Tyson]

That's not only okay, Jax, it's smart, and it's what I tell my students to do. The rules prohibit certain timing devices, like stopwatches and clocks, but they say nothing about how you can use your approved timing device. Go in with an ordinary watch, analog only, not even a digital date feature on it, just minute, second, and hour hands. Set it to noon, with the crown pulled out at the beginning. When they say to start, push the crown in and the watch starts counting off the minutes for you. At 12:30 by your watch, you won't be startled when they call out the five minute warning, and you also won't be worried if they forget to do that (as sometimes happens). At 12:35 you'll know your time is up (so at 12:34 you'll finish bubbling in answers to any questions you've not yet gotten to - no bubbling in answers after time is called or you get thrown out with an ethics violation noted in your account!)

Note that not only digital watches are prohibited: so are "chronograph" watches. Those aren't defined by LSAC, but the common definition of a chronograph watch appears to mean any watch that has, in addition to the normal watch functions, a stopwatch feature. So don't bring one of those! You won't need to if you use your watch as a 35-minute timer as described here and as you've read elsewhere.

You'll be fine if you just follow the rules as they are published.

Have a good time!

[jessicamorehead]

Adam,

I too am curious about this. I've heard that LSAC has become even stricter lately when it comes to watches. Are any of the designated "LSAT" watches with 35 minute markings allowed? Such as these:

https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Score-Wa ... core+watch

https://www.amazon.com/35-Min-Watch-Tim ... merReviews

I would think these watches would abide by LSAC's own rules, however, I'm seeing in the comments section that on test day a student got his confiscated.

Would you recommend just sticking with a plain old analog watch to be safe? Am I allowed to reset the time between sections? Or is that considered against LSAC rules?

Let me know,
Jessica

[Jon Denning]

Hi Jessica - great questions! As of LSAC's last statement on watch prohibitions, it seems what they're disallowing are watches with either/both of the following functions:

Digital displays, including smart watches (so anything not considered "analog," which means fixed hands
that sweep around the face)

Buttons of any sort, most notably a chronograph feature (so if you watch has any pushable buttons it may
not be allowed)

Beyond those two restrictions all watches should be fine, although the more obscure—like the two watches you've linked—the riskier, as proctors often operate somewhat independently and on a better-safe-than-sorry policy.

Combine that fact with the largely tepid reviews, and your smartest play is to simply use a very basic analog watch like the following: https://www.amazon.com/Casio-Quartz-Res ... 000JNKABW/

And yes, you are allowed to reset your watch between sections (although again an uptight, and misinformed, proctor may give you a long look). At the end of each section you can quickly pull out the crown (the small knob on the side of the watch that sets the time), rotate to move the minute hand back to the 12 o'clock position, and then push the crown in when the next section starts allowing you to simply track the minute hand as it moves to the 7 o'clock position (35 minutes after starting).

So that's what I would use—either the one linked or another fairly similar to it—and I'd begin practicing with it well before the exam to ensure comfort and familiarity on test day!

[jessicamorehead]

Jon,

Thank you for the prompt response! I will use a simple analog watch, similar to the one you suggested. I would rather be safe than sorry. One last question, am I allowed to prop the watch up on my desk or do I need to physically wear it on my wrist?

Thanks,
Jessica

[Malila Robinson]

Hi Jessica,
You *should* be able to prop the watch up in front of you, on the desk/table. However, I have had students occasionally report to me that at their testing center they were told that watches had to be worn. This is not the norm though.
Hope that helps,
Malila

[jessicamorehead]

Perfect! I'll just double check with the proctor before the exam begins. Thank you for your help!