Navigating test day

[Leela]

Hi PowerScore!

I just listened to the Test Week Preparation podcast episode (Ep. 6) and have a few follow-up questions.

1) What does happen if a fire alarm goes off in the test center?

2) My test center is in a rather large hotel (there are several different entrances and two main buildings), I went to the hotel last week and a woman at the reception desk said she didn't know where the test would be held, is this something I can call LSAC about and ask?

3) I noted that Jon mentioned in the podcast that “diver’s” bezel watches may no longer allowed, but I still see it listed as allowed on LSAC's website (https://www.lsac.org/lsat/taking-lsat/l ... ts#allowed). Are these okay? Mine doesn't make any noises or have any buttons. Trying to figure out if I need to get a new watch in these final days.

Thanks!

[Adam Tyson]

Hey Leela! Let's hope you never have to find out, but if the fire alarm goes off, you follow the proctor's instructions. If they say to stop working, you stop working. If they say to leave your test on the desk and leave the testing center, do that. If they say to keep working and ignore it...well, then you have to decide for yourself if you want to trust them and keep pushing through despite the noise and lights and so on, or if you want to walk out just in case there really is a fire. If they say the clock is still going, but you decide to leave, I would notify LSAC of the irregularity, cancel your score, and request a free retake in July. There's not much more you can do.

LSAC may or may not know which room they will be in - they are somewhat at the mercy of the hotel in that regard. You can call and ask, but there is a good chance they won't know. I would call the hotel again and ask for the events manager, or banquet staff - someone in that department should have access to the reservation and know which room they intend to use. Keep in mind, though, that plans can change, even at the last minute, especially at larger hotels that have multiple meeting rooms of various sizes. They might move you to a larger room, or a smaller one, or split you into several. Just be prepared to roll with it!

As far as I know, watches with bezels are allowed, so long as there are no extra buttons on the watch, like a stopwatch/reset feature. Of course, there is what the rules say, and then there is what some overzealous and poorly trained proctor might say. You can't really win an argument with a proctor, other than to complain later to LSAC and get a free retake if the proctor screwed up. If a watch with a bezel is all you have, bring it. My advice has always been to set the watch to noon at the beginning of each section, so you are using it as a 35-minute timer rather than as a timepiece. Who cares what time it is out in the real world? What matters is that you can quickly, easily see how much time has elapsed and how much you have left, without relying on fallible, human proctors to do their jobs correctly and without guessing and wondering.

Good luck! Have a great experience on Monday! Fingers crossed for no fire alarms, a quiet and comfortable room, and a smooth timing experience!