Getting Ready for LSAT Writing

LSAT Writing® is a required part of the LSAT, but you don’t need to take LSAT Writing on the same day that you take the multiple-choice portion of the test. LSAT Writing will become available through your LSAC online account eight (8) days before testing begins for your LSAT administration. You can take LSAT Writing at home, or in another quiet, well-lit, private space.

Like the multiple-choice LSAT, LSAT Writing is administered online through LSAC LawHub®. The writing portion of the exam can be taken on-demand and is administered online using secure proctoring software that you’ll install on your computer.

You must have a complete writing sample in your file in order to see your LSAT score or have your score released to schools.

If you’re registered for an upcoming LSAT, review the steps below to ensure your LSAT Writing exam runs smoothly.

Quick Links:

Step 1: Check Your Equipment

Step 2: Prepare Your Testing Space

Step 3: Start Your Exam

Step 1: Check Your Equipment

calendar iconTimeline: Before your administration’s assistance request deadline

To take LSAT Writing, you’ll need:

  • A quiet, well-lit, private room in which to take the test with a table or desk (transparent glass walls are not considered part of a private room and are prohibited)
  • A laptop or desktop computer with a Windows or Mac operating system
  • A webcam and microphone
  • A strong and stable Internet connection
  • Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox web browser
  • Administrative rights to the computer on which you’ll take the test. (This is so you can download the required proctoring software.)

Review Complete LSAT Writing System Requirements opens in new window

Please note: Other proctoring software applications may interfere or conflict with ProctorU’s remote-proctoring software. We highly recommend that other proctoring software and/or extensions be disabled. In particular, please remove the Proctorio extension if you have it installed, as a known issue exists between the ProctorU application and Proctorio.

For questions or issues related to system requirements, please contact ProctorU at 855.772.8678.

A Commitment to Access and Equity

LSAC is committed to ensuring that every test taker has the equipment and other resources they need to take the LSAT, including LSAT Writing. If you don’t have the required equipment, internet access, or a quiet place to take the test, please complete the Assistance Request form in your LSAC online account by the assistance request deadline associated with your test administration. We will work with you to try to address your needs.

judge's gavel resting on a laptop

Step 2: Prepare Your Testing Space

calendar iconTimeline: Just before you launch the exam

Before you begin your exam, make sure to have the following:

Your testing space should be a quiet, well-lit, and private work area where you can complete the test without interruption. Please note that transparent glass walls are not considered part of a private room and are prohibited. You may not test in a room where there are tablets, laptops, or additional computers not being used to take the exam.

A hard work surface is required. Ensure that your workspace is clean and clear of all prohibited items.

It is very important to have a strong and stable internet connection in order to have a successful remote-testing experience.

Items Allowed in Your Testing Space

Generally, your desktop must be clear of anything not test-related and should only have:

  • Valid ID
  • Tissues
  • Beverage in plastic container or juice box (maximum size: 20 oz/591 ml). Aluminum cans are not permitted.
  • Soft, non-electronic, non-corded/banded, generic foam ear plugs

Each of these items must be held up and shown to the proctor during the security check-in procedure.

You may wear an analog (nondigital) wristwatch. The watch may not have a dedicated start/stop functionality independent of telling time, but it may have an altered faceplate and a rotating “diver’s” bezel. Timing devices of any other kind, including digital watches, are not permitted.

If you have a medical need for one or more of the following personal medical items during your test, you may have the item(s) with you: non-tinted eyeglasses, hearing aids, medication (e.g., pills, inhaler, insulin/glucose tablets, eye drops), heart monitor, arm or shoulder sling, cast, brace, cane, crutches, walker, wheelchair, insulin pump/glucometer/diabetic supplies, TENS unit, service animal (not comfort animal). No prior authorization is required.

Bags and printed materials may be in the room, but may not be accessed or used during the exam.

Items Prohibited from Your Testing Space

The following electronic prohibited items must be removed from the room:

  • Mobile phones and all other electronic devices (except the computer being used for the exam). Tablets, laptops, and personal computers not being used to take the exam are prohibited.
  • Timers of any kind, electronic cigarettes, fitness-tracking devices, digital watches, alarm watches, beeping watches, calculator watches, chronograph watches (digital or non-digital), mobile phones, 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.

Large electronics that are difficult to move, such as TVs and radio/stereo systems, may remain in the room. However, they must be powered down and may not be accessed during the test.

The following nonelectronic prohibited items can remain in the room, but they must be put away and not accessed or referenced during the test:

  • Briefcases, handbags, or backpacks of any kind.
  • Hats or hoods, except religious apparel, may not be worn.
  • Sunglasses or other eyewear with tinted lenses may not be worn.
  • Writing implements (e.g., pens, pencils, highlighters, erasers) and scratch paper, unless otherwise specified in an approved accommodation letter.
  • Books, printed materials, and any reference materials (including, but not limited to, sticky notes, whiteboards, calendars, notebooks, guides, flyers, or other outside materials) prepared prior to the start of your session may not be used.

These lists are not exhaustive. For a complete list of prohibited items, please review the LSAC Candidate Agreement. 

Review the LSAC Candidate Agreement for Complete Information

Step 3: Start Your Exam

calendar iconTimeline: When you launch the exam (as early as 8 days before testing begins for your LSAT administration)

LSAT Writing will become available through your LSAC online account opens in a new window eight (8) days before testing begins for your LSAT administration. To start your LSAT Writing exam, click the Launch LSAT Writing link provided at the bottom of the “LSAT Writing” page of your account. (Once your LSAT Writing exam becomes available, this link will appear in the “LSAT Writing Status and Launch” section at the bottom of the page.)

Your entire face must be clearly visible throughout the test. Once you begin testing, do not move out of view of the webcam or change working environments until the test is over.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Launching LSAT Writing

  1. Start by logging in to your LSAC online account opens in a new window, using your LSAC username and password.
  2. Once you have logged in, go to the “LSAT Writing” page of your account. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the Launch LSAT Writing link. (This link will become available 8 days before testing begins for your LSAT administration.)
  3. Following the on-screen prompts, you’ll then complete the self-guided security check-in, which will include:
    • Agreeing to exam rules, terms, and conditions.
    • Installing the ProctorU extension.
    • Performing the microphone and webcam check.
    • Taking a photo of your face with your webcam. This photo will be compared with your ID to confirm your identity. There will be a green outline on the screen to guide you in capturing an image of yourself.
    • Clearly displaying your valid ID to your webcam. There will be green boxes on the screen to help you line up your ID correctly. The first and last name on your ID must exactly match the legal first and last name associated with your LSAC online account. Images of IDs that are blurry, out of focus, or unrecognizable will not be accepted and will cause your writing sample to be canceled. Please review the image of your ID on your screen for clarity before capturing the image.
      You will only have one chance to photograph your ID.
    • “Scanning your room” with the webcam. Complete a full 360-degree room scan. You will need to slowly scan the entire room, including the top of your work surface, all four walls, and the floor under your work surface.
    • Agreeing to LSAC’s Certifying Statement
  4. Once you’ve completed the security check-in, you’re ready to begin your essay. Read the directions carefully and write your essay. Under standard testing conditions, you will have 35 minutes to complete your LSAT Writing sample.
  5. If you complete your essay before the time limit, make sure to click Submit. (If time expires, your essay will be submitted automatically.)
  6. On the “Test Completion” screen, select Return to LawHub to end your session.
It is strictly prohibited to take any pictures or screenshots of your completed writing sample, including the “Test Completion” screen. Violation of this policy may result in a cancellation of your LSAT Writing session and a referral to the Subcommittee on Misconduct and Irregularities in the Admission Process.

24/7 Technical Support

Should you encounter any problems during this startup process or while taking your exam, please contact the 24/7 technical support line at 1.855.772.8678. If any technical problems you experience prevent you from completing your writing sample, you’ll be given the opportunity to test again with a different writing prompt.

Unless there is a technical issue with your submission, we will not be able to reset your writing sample to enable you to retake it.

After the Exam

Once your LSAT Writing sample is submitted, it may take up to three weeks to be processed to your account. If you’ve followed the rules, you’ll typically have access to your essay in about a week. However, if anything in your video gets flagged for review, LSAC will need to take a closer look.

If you have any questions about your upcoming LSAT, please consult the LSAT Writing FAQs on our website, call us at 1.800.336.3982, or email us at LSACinfo@LSAC.org.

We wish you the best of luck on your test and encourage you to keep moving forward on your path to a legal education.