Predictive Validity of Accommodated LSAT Scores for the 2007–2011 Entering Law School Classes (TR 17-04)
This study was undertaken to evaluate the predictive validity of Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores earned under accommodated testing conditions. Of special interest was the validity of scores obtained by accommodated test takers who tested under extra-time testing conditions (Accommodated/Extra Time subgroup). Of secondary interest was the validity of LSAT scores obtained by accommodated test takers who tested under standard time conditions (Accommodated/Standard Time subgroup).
The sample used in this study was drawn from 537 entering law school classes from 178 distinct law schools collected over a 5-year period. Predictive validity of LSAT score, undergraduate grade point average (UGPA), and Index score (which includes both LSAT score and UGPA combined) was assessed using first-year average (FYA) as the criterion. Results from this study suggest that LSAT scores, UGPAs, and Index scores for Accommodated/Extra Time test takers tend to overpredict FYAs. Additionally, results indicate that LSAT scores, UGPAs, and Index scores predict FYAs relatively well when accommodations unrelated to timing were given.
While considering the results of this study, the reader should keep in mind that these results are presented at the subgroup level, not the individual level. Consequently, although results suggest that performance (e.g., FYAs) is overpredicted for the Accommodated/Extra Time subgroup, the performance of a specific individual who received this accommodation may actually be underpredicted. Thus the results from this study should be evaluated with care.