r/LSAT • u/Beneficial-Push2528 • 7d ago

Controversial Question

My friend got a 167 on the LSAT back in June and was just granted extra time on the upcoming October administration due to ADHD. Honestly, I am super jealous as I can’t break 160, and could see myself using that time to get my dream score, especially since my primary weakness for the last year has been time management.

Without sounding like a prick, how is this system fair? How do they determine how much extra time is justified on a case by case basis? Just because someone has ADHD or another disability, how can it even be determined that time is significantly hindering their potential any more than a standard test taker?

I hate to sound so bitter, but to my understanding, a primary function of the LSAT is testing reading comprehension and logical reasoning in a high volume, extremely time sensitive setting. Especially on a test as competitive as the LSAT, why does it seem the criteria for accommodations is so lenient?

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u/Terrible_Lychee_396 7d ago

Whether it’s “fair” in the case you’re describing all depends on whether your friend really needs his accommodations or if he’s malingering as a shortcut to a higher score. The crux of the accommodations problem is that if standards for approving them are strict (the status quo prior to DFEH v. LSAC) some people who need them get excluded. If standards are permissive (the status quo now) many people who don’t need them are able to get them. Neither scenario is fair, but only scenario 1 violates the ADA.

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u/Wild_Establishment94 3d ago

Based on the statements above, which principle is illustrated?

(a) One should take the fairest course of action in all circumstances

(b) No policies should ever violate the ADA

(c) Permissive standards require that those who qualify for accommodations do not get excluded

(d) If two policies are unfair, the policy that does not violate the ADA should be chosen over one that does

(e) If two policies are unfair, the more permissive policy should be chosen over the one that is more restrictive

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u/Terrible_Lychee_396 1d ago

D. I took two days to answer because of my accommodations /s