LSAT Flex

[nusheenaparvizi]

Hi,

I had a question about the June LSAT-Flex. I read some things online somewhere saying that because the database being used is ProctorU, I am not allowed to speak or mumble to myself because any AI detection of "voices" will result in a shutdown of my test? Is this true? I have a habit to occasionally mouth and mumble things to myself as I am reading and I also live in a house with my little sister and mother and father. I would definitely hope they will stay quiet but what if the doorbell rings or someone speaks or the sound of my dog barking is caught on video and AI detects it?

I am kind of worried and stressed about the multitudes of things that could potentially go wrong and so I was hoping someone could clear that up for me.

Thanks!

Nusheena

[Dave Killoran]

Hi,

I had a question about the June LSAT-Flex. I read some things online somewhere saying that because the database being used is ProctorU, I am not allowed to speak or mumble to myself because any AI detection of "voices" will result in a shutdown of my test? Is this true? I have a habit to occasionally mouth and mumble things to myself as I am reading and I also live in a house with my little sister and mother and father. I would definitely hope they will stay quiet but what if the doorbell rings or someone speaks or the sound of my dog barking is caught on video and AI detects it?

I am kind of worried and stressed about the multitudes of things that could potentially go wrong and so I was hoping someone could clear that up for me.

Thanks!

Nusheena

Hi Nusheena,

Thanks for the question! There are two parts to your question, and each has a different answer:

• 1. Can you talk to yourself during the test?
  
  The answer is unfortunately No. Per LSAC, you will not be able to speak out loud or read passages to yourself "Unless you have applied for and received special accommodations due to a disability."
  
  
  2. What about other random noises—will they invalidate my test?
  
  In this case, LSAc has said that incidental external noises—such as barking—would be analyzed by an AI and then a human, and likely would be deemed ok. Someone could walk into the room even, and as long as you told them to leave, you'd be fine. What theya re looking for is anything that could be construed as passing test information, and they realize that sometimes loud sounds occur that are beyond your control. Just ask your family to keep it down as much as possible, and you should be ok here!

Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!

[nusheenaparvizi]

Thank you! That was extremely helpful and eased my mind about the flex-test.

[brebre234]

Since there now only three sections on the Lsat flex,does that mean it would be harder due to it not having a fourth section? Hopefully my question makes sense lol

[Stephanie Oswalt]

Hi brebre!

Thanks for the post! I have moved your question to the general thread discussing the LSAT-Flex. I would suggest looking through the prior discussion on this thread for some additional helpful info (and especially check out the podcasts and blog posts mentioned in previous posts )

As for your question, no the LSAT will not be inherently harder (or easier), as LSAC states on its website https://www.lsac.org/update-coronavirus ... /lsat-flex:

Will the LSAT-Flex be inherently easier than the standard LSAT, because it is shorter and has fewer questions?

No. The individual questions and individual sections will have similar levels of difficulty as a typical LSAT. Some people may think that the shorter duration of the LSAT-Flex is a benefit. Some people may feel more pressure because they believe that the smaller number of total questions means that each question has a bigger impact. Some people may see taking an online test in their own home as a benefit; other people may see taking an online test in their own home as a source of more distraction.

Given how the COVID-19 emergency has made in-person testing temporarily impossible, we need to offer an at-home test to address the needs of candidates and schools. Due to the demands of live online proctoring, the LSAT-Flex had to be designed so it could be accomplished in approximately two hours without a break.

I hope this helps! Thanks!

[nilo]

Hi!

I saw that above there was a recommendation to keep taking 4-section tests to keep your stamina up. But you guys have released a set of "flex" tests. Do you not recommend taking them in that format? Trying to gauge if I should do 3-section tests where I pull one LR section, or the full 4-section tests. Is there any reason other than stamina that you may recommend the 4-section over the 3?

Thank you!

[Dave Killoran]

Hi!

I saw that above there was a recommendation to keep taking 4-section tests to keep your stamina up. But you guys have released a set of "flex" tests. Do you not recommend taking them in that format? Trying to gauge if I should do 3-section tests where I pull one LR section, or the full 4-section tests. Is there any reason other than stamina that you may recommend the 4-section over the 3?

Thank you!

We recommend taking those Flex tests we have in order to acclimate to what the "real" thing will be like, but our recommendation was more for when people didn't have immediate access to those exams. In that case, if you'd done 3 of 4 sections, why not do the last one too?

I also believe that advice was given before we released our Flex tests to the public

Thanks!

[Rick]

Hi Dave,
Again, thanks for your April 16 reply. However after listening to your Podcast # 58, I am still somewhat confused and concerned about the actual physical device setup and operation of the new FlexTest mode. My concern is that I am much more comfortable reading with the document or tablet lying horizontal as contrasted to having to read for a long period of time from a vertical screen on a PC monitor. Based on Podcast #58 and your earlier reply it seems as though I would have to take the test by reading from my PC monitor screen. I have not taken the Flextest, but you and Jon were discussing that it may be the future. If so, is it possible to take the LSAT in the current Flextest mode by using a tablet or other device that would be capable of being read horizontally? Please explain in greater detail the physical setup of the Flextest mode.


Also based on your licensing discussion, is there a time limit to purchasing old LSAT exam for practice in either paper or electronic format?


Thanks,Rick


Thu Apr 16, 2020 5:22 pm

Hi Rick,

For now I wouldn't worry about the future of the LSAT because they've said that as soon as they can return to in-person tests, they will

However, the desktop/laptop is an issue, and what's going to happen is that it will be mouse-driven, not touch. So, closer to a "normal" computer experience but certainly not what the Digital LSAT interface has been on recent tests. This is why you want to practice with a desktop if you haven't been previously and you are slated to take a Flex test (in the vein of what we have here: https://www.powerscore.com/lsat/publica ... tal-tests/).

Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Rick,

Here you go!

If so, is it possible to take the LSAT in the current Flextest mode by using a tablet or other device that would be capable of being read horizontally? Please explain in greater detail the physical setup of the Flextest mode.

They initially said no to tablets, but they've been allowing them on the last two exams. Not sure if that continues. What has been constant, however, is that you cannot take it with the tablet lying on a table. it has to be propped up. You must be in the camera viewfield at ALL times, and if you go out it will disrupt your exam. So, I don't see this an an option on the current Flex.

Also based on your licensing discussion, is there a time limit to purchasing old LSAT exam for practice in either paper or electronic format?!

Paper will always persist, so those will around for a while As for individual purchase of digital/electronic tests? That will disappear within two weeks, probably sooner, as the licenses all change over. Not many people offer it anyway—we're the only company offering individual Flex tests online that I know—and once we changeover, you will have to be a prior purchaser in order to take one of those tests (as in, you get grandfathered in if you buy now; after the license changes, no new test purchases will be allowed). So if taking it in the digital format is important, but now. Otherwise, after the changeover you will have to have a PrepPlus subscription.

Thanks!

[kparsons]

Hi! I just took a Practice Test through LSAC's Prep Plus tests and I entered in 3 sections of my answers into PowerScore's answer sheets, but because I left 1 of the LG sections blank, I now have incorrect data in my account on the problems I got wrong Is there any way to take off practice test results from my account? I love seeing the analytics on my FLEX tests so is there another solution to avoid this problem?