The LSAT Is Ending Remote Testing, But Not for Students Who Have Exceptional Need
- Shana Ginsburg
- 23 hours ago
- 4 min read
By Shana Ginsburg, Esq.
When LSAC announced that the August 2026 LSAT administration will eliminate remote testing for nearly all test takers, I felt a familiar mix of déjà vu and concern. We’ve been here before — and the implications for students with disabilities, medical needs, and sensory sensitivities are significant.
Let’s break down what’s changing, why it’s happening, and what it means for the students I serve every day.
A Brief History: How Remote LSAT Testing Began
Remote LSAT testing wasn’t born out of innovation — it was born out of necessity.
When COVID‑19 shut down testing centers in 2020, LSAC introduced the LSAT‑Flex, a shortened, three‑section remote exam that temporarily removed the experimental section. It was a lifeline for students who needed to stay on track with law school applications during a global shutdown.
Remote testing continued even after the Flex era ended, evolving into the solution for overcrowded test centers, and the four‑section digital LSAT we know today. For many students — especially those with disabilities, chronic medical conditions, or sensory sensitivities — remote testing wasn’t just convenient. It was the only safe, accessible, and predictable way to take the exam.
Why LSAC
Is Ending Remote Testing in August 2026
LSAC has cited two primary reasons for the shift back to in‑person testing:
1. Test Security
Remote testing opened the door to organized cheating rings, particularly in international contexts. LSAC is tightening control to protect score validity and maintain fairness.
2. Standardization
In‑person testing allows LSAC to:
Control the environment
Standardize proctoring
Reduce variability in testing conditions
From a security standpoint, the move makes sense. From an accessibility standpoint, it raises real concerns.
The Reality: Testing Centers Are Not Equally Accessible
Here’s the part of the conversation that often gets overlooked: there are exceptions to this policy, because testing centers are not built to meet the needs of every student.
Private rooms are scarce — and demand far exceeds supply
Students approved for private rooms often face:
Limited availability
Long waitlists
Forced rescheduling
Travel burdens
I’ve had students told the nearest available private room was five hours away — one way. That is not accessibility. That is a barrier.
Some students cannot safely test in shared environments
I work with students whose medical conditions make in‑person testing dangerous or impossible. For example:
A veteran with severe asthma triggered by scents and chemical cleaners
A student with severe sensory processing challenges
A student with autoimmune conditions requiring strict environmental control
These students cannot sit in a room with dozens of strangers wearing perfume, using scented lotions, or carrying allergens. A Prometric center is not a controlled environment for them — it’s a medical risk.
The Good News: There Are Exceptions — If You Know How to Request Them
LSAC’s new policy does not eliminate remote testing entirely. It restricts it to students who can demonstrate:
Documented medical needs, or
Extreme hardship that makes in‑person testing impossible
This is where the policy becomes both more complicated and more important to
understand.
Remote testing is now an accommodation — not an option
That means:
You must apply through LSAC’s accommodations process
You must provide documentation
You must meet LSAC’s criteria
You must submit on time
And you must make a compelling, well‑supported case.
This is exactly what we do at Ginsburg Advanced.
How Ginsburg Advanced Helps Students Navigate These Exceptions
Our accommodations service exists for moments like this — when policy shifts create new barriers and students need expert guidance to secure the testing environment they require.
We help you:
Determine whether you qualify for remote testing under the new rules
Gather and organize the medical documentation LSAC requires
Draft a clear, persuasive Statement of Need
Coordinate with your clinicians to ensure their letters meet LSAC’s standards
Submit your request on time and with the strongest possible evidence
Prepare backup plans for testing center availability
Build a study plan that mirrors your approved testing conditions
We’ve helped students secure remote testing, private rooms, stop‑the‑clock breaks, scent‑free environments, and other specialized accommodations — even when the path wasn’t obvious.
What You Should Do Now
If you think you may need remote testing or a private room for the August 2026 LSAT or beyond:
1. Start early
Documentation takes time. Clinicians need guidance. LSAC deadlines are strict.
2. Don’t assume you’ll get a private room within a 1-hour drive
Supply is limited. Demand is high. Travel may be required.
3. If in‑person testing poses extreme burden or a medical risk, talk to us
We will help you determine whether you qualify for a remote exception and how to document it.
4. Build your test‑day plan now
The earlier we start, the more options you’ll have.
You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone
If you need help understanding the new rules, preparing your documentation, or securing the accommodations you deserve, let’s make sure you get the testing environment you need.
