The Most Common Questions About LSAT Accommodations and What Every Neurodiverse Test Taker Should Know

For many aspiring law students, the LSAT is stressful. For students with learning disabilities, ADHD, processing differences, anxiety-related needs, or other neurodiverse profiles, it can feel overwhelming in an entirely different way.

One of the most common things we hear at Ginsburg Advanced is this:

“I’m not even sure if I qualify.”

The uncertainty around LSAT accommodations often stops students from asking important questions. Below, we address the most common concerns about LSAT accommodations and clarify what you need to know to advocate for yourself confidently.

Do I Qualify for LSAT Accommodations?

This is the number one question students ask.

Many high-achieving students assume they do not qualify because they have performed well academically or never received formal accommodations before. Others worry that their diagnosis is “not severe enough.”

LSAC grants accommodations when a documented disability substantially limits a major life activity such as reading, concentrating, or processing information under timed conditions.

Students with ADHD, dyslexia, processing speed disorders, learning disabilities, anxiety disorders, chronic medical conditions, visual impairments, and other documented disabilities may qualify.

At Ginsburg Advanced, we often work with students who masked their challenges for years through hard work and coping strategies. Qualification is not about how intelligent you are. It is about whether strict LSAT timing prevents you from demonstrating your true reasoning ability.

What Types of LSAT Accommodations Are Available?

Another common misconception is that accommodations only mean extra time.

Extended time is common, but it is far from the only option. LSAT accommodations can include:

• 50 percent or 100 percent extended time

• Additional or extended breaks

• Stop start breaks

• Reduced distraction environments

• Paper and pencil testing

• Large print

• Use of certain assistive technology

The key question is not “What can I get?” It is “What do I need in order to access this test fairly?”

At Ginsburg Advanced, we help students think strategically about which accommodations align with how their disability actually affects them in testing environments.

Will My LSAT Score Be Flagged?

No.

LSAT scores earned with approved accommodations are not flagged. Law schools do not see whether you tested with accommodations. The purpose of accommodations is equal access, not advantage.

What Documentation Is Required?

Documentation must come from a qualified professional and clearly explain:

• Your diagnosis

• How it impacts major life activities

• Why the requested accommodations are appropriate

One of the most common reasons students are denied is that their documentation does not clearly connect their functional limitations to the specific accommodation requested.

At Ginsburg Advanced, we guide students through this process carefully. It is not enough to submit a diagnostic label. The documentation must tell a coherent story about how your disability affects timed testing and why your requested accommodations address that barrier.

Is Prior Accommodation History Enough?

If you have received accommodations in high school, college, or on prior standardized tests, that history can significantly strengthen your request.

However, it is not automatically sufficient. LSAC still requires documentation demonstrating your current need. Clear, updated explanations are often critical.

What If I Have Never Had Accommodations Before?

You can still apply.

Many students were never properly evaluated. Others developed coping strategies that allowed them to succeed academically despite significant strain. Some students avoided accommodations due to stigma.

If your disability meaningfully affects your performance under strict time constraints, you may still qualify.

At Ginsburg Advanced, we frequently support students applying for accommodations for the first time. With the right documentation and a thoughtful approach, first-time applicants can be successful.

How Long Does the Process Take?

Timing matters.

The accommodations review process depends on when you submit your request and whether LSAC requires additional information. Starting early is essential, especially if additional documentation or updated evaluations are needed.

We strongly encourage students to begin preparing their accommodations application well before their intended LSAT date. Your prep strategy should align with your anticipated testing conditions.

What If I Am Denied?

A denial is not the end of the road.

Students can appeal, and many are approved after strengthening their documentation. Appeals require clarity, specificity, and a direct explanation of how the original submission did not fully capture the impact of the disability.

At Ginsburg Advanced, we help students approach appeals strategically rather than emotionally. The goal is to provide focused, persuasive documentation that clearly connects limitations to accommodations.

Should I Apply Before Starting LSAT Prep?

Ideally, yes.

If you are likely to receive extended time or other modifications, your LSAT preparation must reflect those conditions. Preparing under standard timing when you will ultimately test with accommodations can create confusion and mis-calibrated pacing.

Our LSAT Prep programs at Ginsburg Advanced are intentionally designed for students with learning disabilities and neurodiverse profiles. We structure preparation around how you will actually test, not around a one-size-fits-all model.

What If I Am Not Sure What Accommodations I Need?

This is extremely common.

Students often know they struggle with timing, focus, fatigue, or anxiety, but are unsure what specific accommodation would level the playing field.

Determining appropriate accommodations requires thoughtful analysis of your academic history, diagnostic performance, and how your disability presents under pressure. This is not about asking for the maximum. It is about asking for what allows your reasoning ability to shine.

Will Law Schools Think Less of Me?

No.

Accommodations exist to provide equal access. Law schools evaluate your LSAT score as a measure of your readiness. They do not see whether accommodations were used, and they do not discount accommodated scores.

The real risk is not applying when you need accommodations and receiving a score that reflects barriers rather than ability.

Why Specialized LSAT Prep Matters

Even with approved accommodations, traditional LSAT prep often fails neurodiverse students. Large classes, rigid pacing, and generic timing advice do not account for processing differences, executive functioning challenges, or anxiety patterns.

Ginsburg Advanced was built specifically to address this gap. Our LSAT Prep classes and 1:1 tutoring are designed from the ground up for students with learning disabilities and neurodiverse learning profiles. Instruction is personalized, structured, and grounded in research-based learning strategies.

We also provide expert guidance through the LSAC accommodations process, from identifying appropriate accommodations to organizing documentation and navigating appeals.

The goal is not just a higher score. The goal is access.

When the LSAT is structured in a way that reflects your real learning profile, your performance becomes a true measure of your analytical ability and readiness for law school.

If you are unsure whether you qualify, uncertain what to request, or frustrated with traditional LSAT prep, you are not alone. With the right support and the right structure, you can approach the LSAT with clarity and confidence.

And that is exactly what we help students do at Ginsburg Advanced. Contact us today to learn more about LSAT Accommodations.

Article by: Shana Ginsburg, Esq.

Shana Ginsburg is the founder of Ginsburg Advanced and a nationally recognized expert in LSAT accommodations and neurodiverse LSAT prep. She earned a BA in Education from Duke University and her law degree from the University of Maryland and is a practicing disability attorney. Her work focuses on helping students with learning disabilities access the LSAT in a way that reflects their true abilities through personalized, accommodations-aware instruction.