Test day, in one page.
What to bring, what to skip.
LSAC's permitted items, check-in procedures, what to do if something goes wrong, and the preparation steps for the night before and morning of test day.
On this page
Test day logistics are controllable. Most disruptions on test day come from avoidable preparation errors. This checklist covers every step from the night before through the end of the test.
The night before
Prepare everything the night before. Place your ID and admission ticket together in the bag you are bringing. Confirm the test center location. Confirm the start time and build in travel time for delays. LSAC test centers begin check-in before the scheduled start but close check-in at the start time. Late arrivals are turned away.
Do not study the night before. The marginal gain from one more evening of review is negligible. Sleep has a larger effect on test-day performance than additional content review. Seven to eight hours of sleep before the test is more valuable than any last-minute drilling.
What to bring
Required:
- Valid government-issued photo ID with signature. LSAC accepts passport, driver's license, military ID, and national ID cards. The name on the ID must match the name on the LSAC account. Expired IDs are not accepted.
- LSAC admission ticket. Print or save digitally. The ticket shows your test center, start time, and seat assignment.
- Any accommodations documentation permitted by LSAC, if applicable.
Permitted but optional:
- Analog watch without beeper or alarm. Useful for personal time tracking within sections.
- Snack and beverage (non-alcoholic) stored in a bag for the break. Not permitted in the testing room itself during sections.
- Earplugs. LSAC permits soft foam earplugs without cords. Confirm current policy at lsac.org before the test, as permitted materials can change.
| Item | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Government-issued photo ID with signature | Required | Name must match LSAC account exactly. Expired IDs not accepted. |
| LSAC admission ticket | Required | Print or save digitally. |
| Analog watch (no beeper or alarm) | Permitted | Useful for per-section timing. |
| Snack and non-alcoholic beverage | Permitted (break only) | Store in bag. Not in testing room during sections. |
| Soft foam earplugs without cords | Permitted | Confirm current policy at lsac.org before test day. |
| Mobile phone or smart watch | Prohibited in testing room | Must be fully off or left outside. Alert during testing = dismissal. |
| Scratch paper | Prohibited | LSAC provides note materials at the test center. |
| Bluetooth devices | Prohibited | Any electronic item must be left outside or stored. |
Source: LSAC test center policies
What not to bring
Phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, and any electronic item must be left outside the testing room or stored in your bag. If your bag is in the testing room, your phone must be fully off, not silenced. LSAC proctors check compliance. A phone alert during testing results in dismissal and score cancellation.
Scratch paper is not permitted in the testing room. LSAC provides note materials at the test center for writing during the test. Do not bring your own.
Check-in procedures
LSAC test centers require check-in with photo ID. The proctor may take your photo at the testing center as part of the identity verification process. You will sign a form acknowledging LSAC's testing policies. Fingerprinting or palm scanning may be required at some testing centers. These are standard LSAC identity verification procedures.
Bring exactly what is permitted. Extra items create check-in complications. If a proctor questions an item, LSAC's written policy at lsac.org is the authoritative reference.
During the test
The LSAT has four sections of 35 minutes each, with one 10-minute break between sections 2 and 3. Use the break. Stand up. Step outside the testing room if permitted at your center. Eat your snack if you brought one. The break is a structured recovery window; not using it is a preparation error.
Do not pace by comparing your progress to other test-takers. Section completion rates vary; another test-taker moving to a new page is not a reliable signal about your own timing. Follow your own timing practice.
If something goes wrong
If there is a disruption to your testing session (fire alarm, proctor error, technical failure, illness), LSAC has a formal complaint process. Document what happened in writing before leaving the test center. LSAC may offer a makeup session or a refund depending on the circumstances. A disruption during the test does not automatically trigger a score cancellation.
If you decide to cancel your score after the test, LSAC allows score cancellation within six calendar days of the test date. A cancelled score does not appear on law school reports but is visible to LSAC in your personal testing record.
The morning of the test
Eat breakfast. Eat something familiar, not an experiment. Arrive at the testing center 30 to 45 minutes early. Earlier than 45 minutes is not necessary and adds waiting time. Later than 30 minutes risks check-in pressure that elevates pre-test anxiety. The goal is to arrive calm and on time, not to arrive the moment the doors open.
Common questions
What ID do I need for the LSAT?
LSAC requires a valid government-issued photo ID with your signature. Accepted forms include passport, driver's license, military ID, and national ID cards. The name on the ID must match the name on your LSAC account exactly. Expired IDs are not accepted. Bring the ID that was on file when you registered.
Can I bring a calculator to the LSAT?
No. Calculators are not permitted on the LSAT. The test does not contain arithmetic or mathematical computation. All quantitative elements on the LSAT involve reasoning about relationships between quantities, not calculation.
Can I bring food to the LSAT?
A snack and non-alcoholic beverage are permitted during the 10-minute break between sections 2 and 3. Food and drinks are not permitted in the testing room during the test itself. Store your snack in a bag you can access during the break. Confirm current policy at lsac.org before test day.
What happens if I am late to the LSAT?
LSAC test centers close check-in at the scheduled start time. Late arrivals are turned away, forfeiting the registration fee. There is no late admission. Plan to arrive 30 to 45 minutes before the scheduled start to allow for check-in procedures without rushing.
Can I cancel my LSAT score after seeing it?
Yes, with Score Preview. LSAC offers a Score Preview option (purchased separately, before or after the test). If you purchase Score Preview, you can see your score when it is released and then cancel it within six calendar days. Without Score Preview, you can still cancel within six calendar days of the test date, but you will not see the score before cancelling. A cancelled score does not appear on law school reports. LSAC releases scores approximately three weeks after the test date.
What is the difference between practice scores and test-day scores?
A practice average taken under real timing tends to track test-day performance more closely than untimed practice. Significant gaps usually point to timing issues if test-day score was lower, or untimed practice inflating practice scores. Simulating real conditions, including the full timing and the experimental section, is the most reliable way to close the gap between practice and test day.
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