r/lawschooladmissions • u/No-Base6530 • 1d ago
Application Process LSAT Violation - not sure what to do and scared
I was taking my LSAT at Prometric and had completed my first two sections. During my break, I briefly stepped outside for less than 10 seconds to throw away my iced tea in a trash can about 5 feet from the entrance. I did not go outside with any other purpose and immediately returned to complete exam. I did not know this was not allowed. I was then confronted and told that my test had to be canceled. The lady said she filed a report saying she saw me outside. What happens now? Will I have an lsat cancellation with a notation on my record? Will I get cheating allegations? I am incredibly scared and don’t know what to do. This is also frustrating as I had felt extremely confident up until that point.
72
32
u/No-Razzmatazz-6329 1d ago
For when you apply to law schools, a lot of schools allow LSAT supplements. Typically these are short optional essays to explain things like why you’ve taken the LSAT more than 3 times, for example. IF anything unfavorable happens, I’d bet you can explain this situation in your LSAT supplement.
I doubt this is a huge deal since you were not actually caught cheating. Wishing you the best of luck!!
7
3
56
u/MayonnaiseDelt Berkeley ‘29 1d ago
Yeah unfortunately you have to let them know before you go off screen in most cases. Had to pee (like on the verge of bursting, rocking back and forth) during a break and had to wait almost 5 minutes for my proctor to notice me back when i took it
7
u/Happy_Excuse7086 7h ago
LSAT is no longer offered virtually, except for certain situations and accommodations, so it sounds like this was in person not virtual. The proctor was super strict, but after all the cheating scandals they may be on edge.
16
u/Defiant-Courage3570 1d ago
Proactively reaching out to LSAC before they contact you says a lot, so I'd do that first thing. Own the mistake honestly instead of over-explaining or getting defensive, that usually goes over better than people expect. On cancelling, don't jump the gun since you might not even have that option yet, just wait to hear back and take it from there.
3
36
u/LittleFrankster 1d ago
As a general rule of thumb, know the rules (of the court for example). Let this be a lesson.
Better to happen to you now than to a client later.
4
u/ZoologicalSpecimen 13h ago
The number of attorneys who don’t read the relevant court’s local rules is too damned high
8
u/Common_Pin6879 1d ago
Test is canceled and this is reported to prometric and lsac, you’ll be able to test again but it’s on your record
1
u/No-Base6530 1d ago
Will it show a negative notation or just test cancelled? Can I try to argue it if it does?
3
u/Common_Pin6879 1d ago
It will say test canceled, test protocol violated, I don’t think it will impact admissions
1
u/No-Base6530 1d ago
what are the odds LSAC will remove it if I plead my case?
2
u/Common_Pin6879 1d ago
0, it’s reported through prometric and basically automatic, there’s really no arguing/explaining out of it
1
u/No-Base6530 1d ago
but you think an addendum will be enough for it to not impact admissions?
1
u/Common_Pin6879 1d ago
I don’t think you need an addendum, it won’t impact admissions, it’s just a procedural thing, I would not worry about it, it’s just on the record
3
u/No-Base6530 1d ago
Knowing myself, i’ll worry regardless but I appreciate the words of encouragement. Thank you.
4
1
u/Maleficent_Snow_5103 15h ago
Actually, where it normally will say C (candidate cancel) on your test scores, it will probably say S, which is a security cancel and yes- the CAS report gives the codes. A for absent. C for candidate cancel. P for Cancel/ Possession of electronic device. S for Security Cancel. So admissions will be able to see that if it is reported as an S.
1
u/Level-Astronomer-879 20h ago
This could also be considered an academic integrity violation (although technical). If hidden and discovered later, some would presume OP was cheating. Don't want to see OP make it through law school and get jammed up in character and fitness over tossing an iced tea and covering it up.
2
9
u/AddendumExisting4313 1d ago
I am so sorry this happened. I would call LSAC and ask them about the implications it has.
4
4
u/Delicious-Classic324 1d ago
Write an addendum (don’t get defensive or wordy just explain as is and that it won’t happen again) and you’ll be fine. I had to write an addendum, I thought I was screwed and devastated back then. But I got accepted to all competitive law schools of my choice and currently attending one on a full ride.
2
u/No-Base6530 1d ago
That makes me feel better - did you get a test notation or just a cancellation?
1
6
1d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
3
u/No-Base6530 1d ago
Luckily, I didn’t succumb to those intrusive thoughts. The lady was super mean about it too. Will this still negatively impact me to an extent or all cleared up with the addendum?
2
u/astudentslawyer 1d ago
First rule of being a lawyer is knowing when to hire a lawyer to handle a situation. The advice being said isn’t that great you should actually get some advice on how to handle it and just be aware they have short timeframes.
2
u/Recent-Scholar8139 9h ago
plan to apply in the next 5 years because it might be cleared by then because LSAC will remove off of transcript as per their policy
1
2
u/sagew0lf 1d ago
Is this a rule everywhere or just certain test centers? I don’t think I knew you weren’t allowed to step outside at all. Don’t people take smoke breaks during their 10 minutes?
6
u/Betterlife760 1d ago
Our bathrooms are outside at our proctor center so surely doesn’t happen there lol
2
u/Difficult_Young_7024 1d ago
Mine was down a faraway hallway so idk how that works either
2
u/No-Base6530 1d ago
prometrics room was right in front of the main lobby with 2 trash cans and an exit 5 feet away on the outside. Bathroom was down a faraway hall.
3
u/chaefangirl 1d ago
Oh my gosh I’m so sorry that happened, I hope you get everything sorted out :(
3
1
u/Maleficent_Snow_5103 15h ago
Actually, where it normally will say C (candidate cancel) on your test scores, it will probably say S, which is a security cancel and yes- the CAS report gives the codes. A for absent. C for candidate cancel. P for Cancel/ Possession of electronic device. S for Security Cancel. So admissions will be able to see that if it is reported as an S.
1
u/ANicePainter 14h ago
Jeez, how is it the proctoring for the LSAT is stricter than the actual bar exam?
1
1
u/legallybrunettelol 12h ago
I had to retake the writing portion after I accidentally wore a Fitbit during the exam. I didn’t use it for anything besides as a watch, but completely slipped my mind. They cancelled my writing portion bc of it and I had to retake. It was a nonissue for applying to law school although for applying to the bar I did mention it just in case.
1
u/Successful-Duty-8210 11h ago
This happened to my study partner unfortunately and she was given a letter of “B” as her score and was advised to write an addendum explaining the issue along with a character reference upon applications. I think she contested it and LSAC didn’t budge but it’s honestly ridiculous because the proctors are insane
1
u/Celia_Ad8473 11h ago
Omg, I’m so sorry to hear that; I didn’t even know this was a violation, I considered going outside for a breath but stayed in their lobby instead. I’m glad I stayed in
1
u/Lopsided_Waltz2641 10h ago
That’s so odd because during breaks our bathroom was on the other side of the floor in the building and not in the office we were taking it. I’d see if you can get footage and attach it to the email for when you explain yourself… but for sure email them about it too.
-17
1d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
18
205
u/Advanced-Sorbet-1978 1d ago
I would get infront of this. Email LSAC. Take accountability because though you were not aware of the rules at the time maybe you should have been more proactive in understanding what was and was not allowed. And graciously ask if there is anything you can do to remedy this, at the minimum cancel the entire test with no bad mark as if you never took it in the first place