Taking the LSAT can feel pretty overwhelming, especially with all the rules around what materials you can. If you’re unsure whether to take it remotely or in-person, I’ve written an article on this.
To get the full list of official requirements for remote testing and what’s allowed, read the LSAC website and guidelines. Section 18 of the LSAC Candidate Agreement also outlines this information. Below, I’ve put together my own list of recommendations based on those rules.
If you’re taking the test in-person, I’ve written an article on in-person recommendations here!
Required Items
Everyone will need the following items when taking the test remotely:
- Prometric confirmation number
- LawHub username and password
- Physical and valid government-issued photo ID
There are also requirements regarding your testing space – it needs to be quiet, well-lit, and enclosed at a table/desk with a chair. To read these requirements, review this LSAC page.
Other Items
This is where the fun begins! You can – and should – bring any permitted items that you think will help you during the test. Don’t bring things just for the sake of it, especially if they might distract you. But if something helps you stay comfortable or focus better, it’s worth including.
A good general rule is that you should try out these things in practice. In the weeks leading up to your exam, you should take LSAT PrepTests in a simulated environment as test day. Use these products and test out what works for you and what doesn’t. Here are a few of my go-to recommendations:
Pre-Approved Items
These are some of the Prometric pre-approved items, meaning you do not need accommodations or requests to bring these.
1) Earplugs
Earplugs must be foam with no string. You can get a 100-pack (50 pairs) for under $15 here.
2) Lip Balm / Chap Stick
There aren’t any specific rules or requirements on lip balms. You can use your favorite one – but if it has a lot of labels or writing on it, the proctor may want to examine it more closely. It’s not required, but I’d recommend peeling of the label ahead of time to make check-in smoother. You can also purchase unlabeled lip balms in different flavors for relatively cheap.
3) Cough Drops
As luck has it, many students unfortunately experience a cold during test day. Cough drops must be unwrapped, and not in a bottle or container. The wrappers must not have notes or writing on them. You can get a bag of cough drops here, and place them unwrapped on your desk.
4) Eye Drops
Staring at a laptop screen for a long time can be tough on your eyes. There are no rules regarding the bottle or packaging of eye drops. That said, like with lip balm, bottles with lots of labels or text might need extra attention from the proctor. Use whatever eye drops work best for you, but it can be a good idea to remove the label just to make check-in easier.
5) Pillow / Lumbar Support
You’re allowed to use a pillow or lumbar support for your chair. If you decide to use one, I recommend practicing with it during your PrepTests, especially as test day gets closer. The goal is to simulate real test conditions as closely as possible. So if a pillow helps, go for it! Just don’t introduce something new on test day if you’ve been fine without it. Here’s a few pillow or back support recommendations for office chairs:
- Memory Foam Back Cushion (around $40)
- Memory Foam Lumbar Oval Pillow (around $25)
- Back Support Pillow with Straps (around $30)
- Orthopaedic Seat Cushion and Lumbar Support Pillow (around $30)
6) Tissues
Again, you may unfortunately have a cold or otherwise need tissues, so it can be a smart idea to have them handy. There are no requirements listed on Prometric regarding tissue packaging, but I’d recommend removing them from the box or packaging and placing them on your desk. You can get a pack of 4 Kleenex boxes for around $10 here.
Other Permitted Items
In addition to the pre-approved items listed on the Prometric website, LSAC has a list of other permitted items for remote test-takers. All of the items must be shown to the proctor through your camera.
1) Six Blank Sheets of Scratch Paper
Your scratch paper can be lined, unlined, or graph, as long as it’s no larger than 8.5″ x 11″. The type you use is totally up to you. Just keep in mind that the proctor will ask to see both sides of every sheet during check-in. You can buy scratch paper here (you’ll want to get more than just 6 sheets if you’re using them for practice tests):
- 200 Sheets of Loose Leaf Lined Paper (around $3)
- 500 Sheets of Loose Leaf Lined Paper (under $15)
- 100 Sheets of Loose Leaf Unlined Paper (around $15)
- 800 Sheets of Loose Leaf Graph Paper (under $20)
2) Writing Utensils
There’s no limit to how many writing utensils you can have. You’re allowed to use regular pencils, mechanical pencils, or pens. I’d recommend bringing 2-3 pencils and pens – just in case a pencil breaks or a pen runs out of ink. You probably won’t need that many, but it’s nice for peace of mind. Do remember that everything needs to be out on your desk, not in a pencil case or any packaging.
My personal favorites are MUJI pens. You can get a 10-pack for around $25 here. If you want more affordable alternatives, here are some options:
- Pack of 30 Standard #2 Pencils with Erasers (around $5)
- Pack of 4 Mechanical Pencils (07.mm) with Lead and Eraser Refills (around $15)
- Pack of 12 Black Ballpoint Pens ($10)
- Pack of 10 Blue Ballpoint Pens (under $10)
3) Erasers
Erasers cannot be mechanical or have sleeves. Both the standard and mechanical pencils linked above come with erasers, but it can be useful to have a separate, larger eraser. Note that you are only allowed one eraser on your desk.
You can purchase a pack of 6 pink erasers without sleeves for under $5 here. Or, you can buy a 6-pack of white large erasers for under $5 (just remove the sleeve!).
4) Pencil Sharpener
You likely won’t need a pencil sharpener. With the removal of Logic Games, students don’t use scratch paper or diagramming as much. It may still be useful to have one though. You can get one for under $5 here.
Food and Drink
Make sure to eat a solid breakfast – something you’re used to and know sits well with you. Don’t try anything new on or immediately before test day.
When it comes to food and drink during remote testing, students have had mixed experiences with proctors. I strongly recommend sticking to LSAC’s official rules rather than hoping for a lenient proctor.
The only food or drink allowed in your testing space is a clear water bottle. I recommend this CamelBak clear water bottle for around $15. It has a straw, which makes it easier to sip when you’re stressed, and it comes in multiple sizes. You can also use a regular plastic water bottle – just be sure to remove the label.
All other food and drink must stay outside the room and can only be consumed during the 10-minute break. Here are some break-time snacks I recommend:
- Fruit (e.g. bananas or apples)
- Granola Bars
- Trail Mix
- A pre-made sandwich (easy to eat quickly in the kitchen)
Stick to food you know works for you. If a bit of candy helps with energy, have it ready. If you tend to get hungry, prepare a sandwich before. The key is to avoid experimenting. You shouldn’t eat too much or too little, and test day isn’t the time to find out if a new recipe upsets your stomach. This advice applies to the days before test day as well (it may not appear significant, but you do not want an upset stomach during the LSAT).
Questions
That’s it! If there are any discrepancies between this information and what’s stated on LSAC, always follow the LSAC’s guidelines. If you have any questions, feel free to comment below :)
Disclosure: The links in this article are affiliate links, which means that I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase using the link. But don’t worry, I only recommend resources I genuinely find helpful!
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