LSAT Flex Format: A Comprehensive Overview

The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) has updated the LSAT several times over the past few years. These changes aim to adapt to evolving circumstances and ensure fair and secure testing conditions for all candidates. One significant change was the introduction of the LSAT-Flex, a remote version of the test designed to accommodate the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. While the LSAT-Flex is no longer administered, understanding its format and scoring remains relevant, as it bridges the gap between the traditional LSAT and the current testing methods.

The Evolution of the LSAT

Traditionally, the LSAT was administered in LSAC-approved test centers as a pencil-and-paper exam. In 2019, the LSAT switched to a digital format, with the test being administered on tablets but still in person. However, given the social distancing protocols during the pandemic, it was clear students wouldn't be completing the LSAT in testing centers any time soon. But tens of thousands of students still wanted to attend law school, so the need for the LSAT remained. This led the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) to create the LSAT Flex in May 2020.

Traditional In-Person LSAT

The traditional, in-person LSAT exam conducted at testing centers contains four 35-minute sections. Prior to the creation of the LSAT Flex, the standard LSAT consisted of five sections: two scored Logical Reasoning sections, one scored Reading Comprehension section, one scored Analytical Reasoning (Logic Games) section, and one unscored or experimental section that could feature Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, or Analytical Reasoning (Logic Games) questions. Completing the five sections of the LSAT took roughly 3.5 hours, and test takers received one 15-minute break during the exam.

LSAT-Flex: A Response to the Pandemic

The LSAT-Flex was pioneered starting in April of 2020 and is the remote version of the traditional LSAT test. This test allowed extra flexibility for test-takers, all while still offering secured testing conditions through a system called ProctorU. This system requires students to perform a room scan of their test-taking environment, in addition to other security measures, to ensure that there is no cheating or outside help being given during the exam. With the creation of the LSAT Flex, several aspects of the exam were changed. The exam was shortened from five sections to three sections: one scored Logical Reasoning section, one scored Analytical Reasoning section, and one scored Reading Comprehension section. Test takers were given 35 minutes to complete each section, and the unscored or experimental section was temporarily done away with. At just two hours, the LSAT Flex was significantly shorter than previous versions of the LSAT. The last LSAT Flex exam was administered in June 2021, at which point the pandemic-inspired version of the exam was discontinued.

In 2020, the LSAC removed one Logical Reasoning section, reducing the LSAT-Flex to three timed, scored sections. Despite Logical Reasoning historically taking up 50% of the LSAT’s weight, the LSAC announced that the lone Logical Reasoning section on the LSAT-Flex will have the same weight as Analytical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. It will also have the same difficulty as on previous tests. Thus, preparation for the LSAT-Flex should give equal weight to the sections.

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After the 2021 LSAT administrations, an extra, unscored section was added to the LSAT Flex, as is typical with the traditional LSAT. The June 2022 administration of the LSAT is reported to be the last time that the LSAT Flex will be administrated by the LSAC, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

LSAT-Flex: Remote Proctoring and Security Measures

Since you will be taking your LSAT-Flex remotely, there are additional security measures in place. You are allowed a limited amount of scratch paper-five sheets, to be exact-which you must destroy in front of your proctor at the end of your test. The LSAC has not given clear guidance on size limits, so it is best to have plain 8.5×11 paper as a standby. Through ProctorU, a remote-proctoring organization, you will have a live proctor and AI monitoring you for any prohibited activity.

To take the LSAT remotely, you’ll need:

A quiet, well-lit, private, enclosed room in which to take the test with a table or desk and a chair. Please note that transparent glass walls are not considered part of a private room and are prohibited.
A laptop or desktop computer with one of the following active and licensed operating systems: Windows 8.1, MacOS 10.13 to 12.6.5, MacOS Ventura 13.3.1 and above, MacOS Sonoma, MacOS Sequoia, or MacOS Tahoe 26.
A screen resolution of 1024x768.
A webcam with a resolution of 640x480p and a microphone. If you are testing on a desktop computer, the webcam must be external.
A strong and stable Internet connection with a download speed of at least 1.0 mbps.
The latest version of the Google Chrome web browser.
Administrative rights to the computer on which you’ll take the test. (This is so you can download the required proctoring software.)

LSAC understands that some candidates may not have access to a quiet or private room in which to take a remotely proctored test. Yes, if your computer does not have a built-in microphone or built-in speakers you are permitted to use external ones, provided that they are wired. Wireless external devices will not be permitted.

Transition to the New LSAT Format

The June 2022 administration of the LSAT is reported to be the last time that the LSAT Flex will be administrated by the LSAC, barring any unforeseen circumstances. The methodology, question types, and length of sections. Note: The LSAT-Flex has now been replaced by a permanent, three-section LSAT. This LSAT does not have Logic Games. The second change is the addition of a small break in between sections. This news might be a little too late for some students that had accidents during their exams, but it’s a relief for everyone else. Test takers will be allowed a short break between the second and third sections of the LSAT. If you leave your seat you will need to complete a new security check before resuming your test. The experimental section and new break will not go into effect until the August 2021 LSAT. LSAC has stated they will keep this four-section format for the next 2-3 years. This means the 2021 June LSAT-Flex will be the final short exam, as in it will be the last LSAT with only three sections. Beginning in August, the four-section test will simply be called the new LSAT.

Starting with the August 2024 LSAT, the multiple-choice portion of the test consists of two scored Logical Reasoning sections and one scored Reading Comprehension section, plus one unscored section of either Logical Reasoning or Reading Comprehension that will enable us to validate new test questions for future use.

LSAT Scoring and Score Reports

Your LSAT (or LSAT-Flex) score is based on the number of questions you answered correctly - your “raw score.” All test questions are weighted exactly the same. The total number of questions you get right is what matters for your score, not which particular questions you get right or wrong. There is no deduction for incorrect answers.

To make it easier to compare scores earned across different LSAT administrations, your “raw score” is converted to an LSAT scale. This is the score you receive in your score report. The LSAT scale ranges from 120 to 180, with 120 being the lowest possible score and 180 being the highest possible score. The LSAT-Flex score will be on the same scale as the traditional LSAT: 120-180.

Key Components of Your LSAT Score Report

Your LSAT Score Report includes:

Your current score.
Results of all reportable tests - up to 12 - including absences and cancellations for standard LSAT takers and cancellations only for LSAT-Flex takers due to challenges related to COVID-19. An LSAT (or LSAT-Flex) result is reportable for up to five testing years after the testing year in which the score is earned. For information about how many times a test taker may sit for the LSAT, please see Limits on Repeating the LSAT. LSAT testing years run from July 1 through June 30.
Your percentile rank, which reflects the percentage of test takers whose scores were lower than yours during the previous three testing years. A percentile rank is reported for each of your scores. Note that percentiles for all reported scores will be updated every year by the end of July.
Your score band.

This is important. LSAT scores earned prior to June 2020 are not considered valid for law school admission and are not included in your score report. All test takers will receive their scores on the score release date associated with their test date, provided they have an approved writing sample on file and do not have any holds on their account. Your writing sample must be processed and approved before it can be added to your LSAC file. Please note that processing can take up to three weeks from the date you complete LSAT Argumentative Writing, depending on volume and any flagged issues.

Score Preview and Cancellation

LSAT Score Preview is available to test takers who wish to see their score before deciding whether to keep it as part of their LSAC file and report it to schools. Score Preview will cost $45 if you sign up prior to the first day of testing for a given test administration, or $85 if you sign up after testing has concluded. Test takers who sign up for Score Preview will receive their scores at the same time as other test takers (assuming they have an approved LSAT Argumentative Writing sample on file and have no holds on their accounts), and will have six (6) calendar days from the date their score is released to decide if they want to cancel or keep their score.

Yes. Should you decide to cancel your LSAT score, you must do so within six (6) calendar days of your test date. You can also have your score released to the prelaw advisor at your undergraduate school.

All of your LSAT (or LSAT-Flex) results will be reported to the law schools to which you apply if earned in the current testing year or if earned in the prior five testing years. (Note that LSAT results include scores, cancellations, and absences. LSAT-Flex results include only scores and cancellations, due to the challenges related to COVID-19.) Beginning with the 2021-2022 testing year, LSAT testing years run from July through June. For information about how many times a test taker may sit for the LSAT, please see Limits on Repeating the LSAT.

Score Auditing

LSAC routinely conducts multiple procedures to ensure the accuracy of all test response data before scores are released. Because we go to these great lengths as part of our normal processes, the possibility of finding any scoring errors on computerized tests is extremely small. However, in response to requests from test takers, LSAC is providing an optional Score Audit service. This service costs $150 (or $75 if you’ve been preapproved for a fee waiver which is noted on your LSAC JD Account). You may request a score audit after you have received your LSAT score.

Preparing for the LSAT-Flex

While the actual LSAT-Flex will be scored for you, you may want to use an LSAT-Flex score converter to evaluate how you can expect to do on the Flex, based on a score from a previously taken, four-section PrepTest. Fortunately, it’s fairly easy to do on your own, this. Warning-there is math. Since the traditional LSAT has 33% more questions than the LSAT-Flex, all you need to do is take your raw scores from Reading Comprehension, Analytical Reasoning, and the lower scoring Logical Reasoning, and multiply by 1.33. This will represent your raw score for an LSAT-Flex. Then convert your new raw score to a scaled score using the scale for that particular PrepTest. There are a few options for taking your practice tests, depending on your preferences. Since the LSAC has as of writing only provided two LSAT-Flex practice tests online, you may need to do some extra work to get in enough practice tests. The first, and easiest, method is to simply take your PrepTests as usual, select three sections instead of four, and use the above mentioned LSAT-Flex score converter to get a ‘Flex’ score. The other option is to use PowerScore’s LSAT-Flex and Analytics tool, a subscription-based service that pre-converts an LSAT PrepTest into an LSAT-Flex practice test.

Since this is a remote exam that uses AI as part of your proctoring, you will need to meet certain system requirements. Most importantly, tablets and ChromeBooks are not supported; you will need a laptop or desktop computer running either Windows or Mac. Additionally, you need a working webcam and microphone.

Important Considerations for Test Day

The LSAT includes a 10-minute intermission between the second and third sections. During the intermission, you can leave your testing area to have a snack or use the restroom. Possession of electronic devices, such as cell phones, is prohibited during the intermission and will result in the termination of your test. You will need to check in with your proctor before you can resume testing. This is important. If you do not complete the recheck-in process with your proctor after the intermission is over, your test session will be terminated, and you will need to register for a new LSAT administration. You will not receive a refund.

Breaks During the Test

Yes, both the online, remotely proctored and in-person modalities of the LSAT include a 10-minute intermission between the second and third sections. During the 10-minute intermission, you can leave your testing area to have a snack or use the restroom. You must notify your proctor at the start of the intermission, before you leave the view of the camera.

You may not possess an electronic device, such as a cell phone during the intermission. After the intermission, you will need to complete a recheck-in process with your proctor before you can resume testing. This is important. If you do not complete the recheck-in process after the break is over, your test session will be terminated, and you will need to register for a new LSAT administration. You will not receive a refund.

Working on test material, including scratch paper, during the intermission or while taking an unscheduled break to use the restroom, is strictly prohibited.

Unscheduled Restroom Breaks

If you need to take an unscheduled break to use the restroom at any other point during the test, you must notify your proctor prior to leaving your testing area. Please note that the clock will continue to run during the unscheduled break and while you rescan your room upon your return.

Additional Breaks for Accommodated Test Takers

LSAC understands that accommodated test takers often have a longer testing appointment and therefore may need additional breaks between sections of the test. Therefore, any test taker who has been approved for 100% additional time (or more) will be granted five-minute breaks between the other test sections upon request (i.e., after sections 1 and 3; in addition to the standard 10-minute intermission after section 2). Requests for these additional 5-minute breaks must be made by the published accommodation request deadline. Test takers can use these breaks to use the restroom even if the need for a restroom break is unrelated to the test taker’s disability.

In addition, breaks between test sections and stop/start breaks are available as accommodations on the LSAT, and can also be used for the purposes of using the restroom. To familiarize yourself with the content and interface of the LSAT, we recommend using the free Official LSAT Prep materials available through LawHub.

Maintaining Test Security and Integrity

We know that the security, integrity, and validity of the LSAT are important to candidates and schools, so we take many steps to ensure the security of the LSAT. All remote LSAT takers are monitored by live remote proctors via the camera and microphone in the test takers’ computers.

No. What is the penalty for sharing test details?

Adhering to the highest moral and ethical standards is essential for those in the legal profession. Every test taker is required to sign a Candidate Agreement each time they take the LSAT. Please make sure you read the entire Agreement; rushing through it or ignoring any of it could have serious adverse consequences.

Prohibited Items and Behaviors

Generally, during the test you may not:

Communicate with anyone other than your proctor
Read aloud (unless you have an approved testing accommodation)
Allow your face to leave the webcam’s view (remote test takers)
Leave your seat (except during the 10-minute intermission)
Run any prohibited software applications
Access any prohibited materials
Connect or disconnect any external storage devices
Behave in a noncompliant or abusive manner
Disable your camera or audio capabilities at any time. This includes during the Intermission or any other scheduled/unscheduled breaks you may take. Your camera and audio must remain on at all times during your testing session.

After the test you may not:

Share details of the test in an oral or written form, which includes sharing content on the internet or through any means or social media
Copy, save, duplicate, or distribute any test material on your computer or any written notes you may have used during the test

The proctor’s instructions must be followed at all times. Any suspicious behavior noted by the proctor will be grounds for immediately ending the testing session. Terminated sessions are subject to score cancellation polices and to LSAC investigations that could lead to a finding of misconduct or irregularity.

For remote test takers, one cell phone is allowed to be in your testing room, but it must be powered down and placed out of reach for the duration of the test. In-person test takers will need to leave their powered-down cell phone in the locker assigned to them. Additional cell phones are prohibited. You may not access the cell phone during the 10-minute intermission. Unauthorized access of an electronic device, such as a cell phone or tablet, will cause your testing session to be terminated (without a refund).

Devices that cannot be in the room during the LSAT include timers of any kind, watches of any kind, electronic cigarettes, fitness-tracking devices, beepers, pagers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), calculators, cameras, recording devices, listening devices (including, but not limited to, headphones, ear buds, air pods, and other electronic listening devices and/or noise-canceling devices other than generic foam ear plugs), headsets, and iPods and other media players. Please note that tablets, laptops, personal computers, or any other electronic device not being used to take the test are prohibited.

Prohibited electronic devices may not be in the room during the test because they cannot be monitored via your webcam feed. Please be aware that your proctor will not allow you to test if any prohibited electronics are noted during the room scan portion of your check-in. This includes any monitors or desktop computers that happen to be on the desk you may be resting your laptop on during the test. Test takers may not access briefcases, handbags, or backpacks of any kind. Head coverings of any kind (e.g., hats, hoods, bon…

Identification Requirements

Territories, or Canada. The ID must be current (or have expired within 3 months of your test date) and must contain:

A recent and recognizable photo of you
Your first name
Your last name
Your date of birth

The first and last name listed on your ID must exactly match the legal first and last name associated with your LSAC account. You can make changes to your legal name on the “Profile” page in your account.

No. LSAC will only accept physical identification, regardless of whether you’re testing remotely or at a test center.

The Importance of the LSAT Argumentative Writing Sample

Test takers who do not have a previous writing sample on file must also take LSAT Argumentative Writing, a proctored, on-demand writing exam that is administered online using secure proctoring software that is installed on the candidate’s own computer. Test takers will complete LSAT Argumentative Writing separately from the multiple-choice portion of the test, at a convenient time and place of their choosing.

Registration and Scheduling

Registration for the 2025-2026 testing year, which began with the August 2025 LSAT, is now open. For the 2025-2026 testing year, the LSAT fee is $248.You can learn more about upcoming test dates and registration deadlines by visiting Upcoming LSAT Dates.

Most test takers have the choice of taking their test in an online, live remote-proctored environment, or in person at a Prometric digital testing center. Our goal is to give test takers the choice of whichever option works best for them.

LSAC is committed to providing necessary testing accommodations for the LSAT and LSAT Argumentative Writing to candidates with documented disabilities. Your request must be submitted by the accommodation request deadline associated with your test date. Please note that test takers who were previously approved to receive accommodations for the LSAT will automatically receive the same or equivalent accommodations when they register for an upcoming LSAT.

Regardless of whether you choose to test online in a live, remote-proctored environment or in person at a test center, you will have the opportunity to choose the day and time that works best for your schedule from the available options.

You can find the date that scheduling opens for each test by clicking the links at Upcoming LSAT Dates. Yes, in most cases. If you have scheduled a testing time at a test center and you decide you would rather test remotely, you can go into Prometric’s ProScheduler tool and reschedule your test.

If you have approved testing accommodations, note that certain accommodations are best administered in a test center modality.

You can only change from remote testing to a testing center if the seven-day deadline to schedule for a test center has not passed. Note that certain accommodations are best administered in a remote modality. Yes, so long as the scheduling deadline has not yet passed. Scheduling for test centers closes seven days after scheduling opens. Scheduling for remotely proctored tests closes three days before testing begins. Yes. The LSAT is administered over several days.

You may withdraw your LSAT registration on the LSAT Status page of JD Services once your administration’s refund request deadline has passed. (ET) the night before you are scheduled to test.

If you plan to take the LSAT within 24 months of: (a) having either supervised or remotely proctored the LSAT, (b) having been employed or engaged by a third-party LSAT service provider, (c) having been employed or engaged by LSAC to perform obligations that are related to the LSAT, or (d) are a relative of or employed by any individual employed by LSAC, you must notify LSAC prior to registering for the test. Subject to the Intended Use Policy set forth in Section 34, the Limitations on Candidates Taking the Test set forth in Section 7, and the Prohibited Behaviors set forth in Sections 16 and 28 and otherwise in the Candidate Agreement, LSAC will review your request for registration and may, at LSAC's discretion, honor the registration or offer an alternative test location and/or date. Any request must be received by LSAC no later than three (3) days prior to the registration deadline for the applicable administration.

Accepting the Candidate Agreement means that you are giving LSAC permission to release information from your file - including, but not limited to, the information contained on the Candidate Agreement form, your LSAT score, and information regarding any alleged misconduct or irregularities in the admission process. By accepting the Candidate Agreement, you are certifying that you are the test taker whose name appears on the registration, and that you plan to take the LSAT for the sole purpose of being considered for admission to law school.

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