Dear UNLV Prelaw's brave September 2009 LSAT takers,
It's time! The LSAT is *gulp* tomorrow! Hopefully, you feel ready. Probably, you don't. That's normal. At this point, there are only a few more things you can do to help make the process as comfortable as possible.
1. Stop fretting. Rent a DVD or something. Wind down at a reasonable hour tonight. If you need to work a logic game or two, fine. But don't go overboard. It won't help. You need to get a good night's sleep, so you'll want to take your mind off of the test for a while. If you usually exercise, you should exercise in moderation. If you're not sure whether or not you're allergic to shellfish, tonight is not the night to eat at Red Lobster for the first time. You get the picture, right?
2. Don't get wasted tonight. Keep good sleep hygiene tonight. Read a novel if you can't get to sleep. Don't knock yourself out with a six-pack or a handful of Tylenol PMs. You'll feel like crap in the morning.
3. Be sure that you know where you're going. Most UNLV Prelaw readers will be taking their tests on campus. Know where you need to be, what time you need to be there (no later than 8:30 a.m.!), and where you're going to park. If you show up late, you will NOT be allowed to take the test.
4. Make sure you have what you need. Items you MUST have include:
- Your admission ticket. Print it out TONIGHT. If you have already printed it out, log on to your LSAC account anyway, just to be sure. Sometimes the proctors need to change the location at the last minute, and you want to be in the know.
- Identification. Any old identification will simply not do. The LSAC requires "current valid (not expired) government-issued ID bearing your signature." The photo must be recent and recognizable. Really, you need your drivers license or your passport. The first and last name on the identification MUST MATCH the last name on your admission ticket. They will be sticklers about this!
- Pencils. Again, any old pencils will not do. You need No. 2 pencils. No mechanical pencils are allowed. Why? Beats me. Because they said so, I guess. They will not provide pencils for you. They will not even provide sharpeners for you.
5. Assemble the other things that you're allowed to bring. It's not much. You can put your things in a clear plastic ziplock bag, maximum size one gallon. If it's not on this list, DON'T bring it. Seriously.
- Your ID and LSAT Admission Ticket stub
- Your wallet
- Keys
- Analog (NOT digital) watch
- Medical or hygiene products
- #2 or HB pencils (not mechanical)
- Highlighter
- Erasers
- Pencil sharpener (not electric, I'm guessing)
- Tissues (not to say that the test will cause you to burst into tears or anything...)
- A beverage in a plastic container or juice box (max. 20 oz.)
- A snack for the break
6. In the morning, don't do anything crazy. Don't try to run 5 miles at 5:30 a.m. if you don't usually run 5 miles at 5:30 a.m. If you're a regular coffee drinker, have your normal amount of coffee. If you're not a coffee drinker, for goodness' sake don't start now. Don't gobble down a handful of caffeine pills. If you're not used to having a huge pancake breakfast, now is not the time to start. Be sure to eat at least SOMETHING (or you'll be really, really hungry during the test), but don't put yourself into a food coma. Moderation, folks. Moderation.
7. In the morning, make sure you do NOT have contraband on or around your person when you reach the testing center. It's a good idea to have your mom or roommate pat you down to double check. The following items are strictly prohibited:
- Electronic timers, beeping watches, alarm watches, calculator watches, or any watch with any features other than a dial and three hands;
- Cell phones, beepers (really? beepers? What is this, 1980?) pagers, PDAs, computers, etc.;
- Hats or hoods that are not pieces of religious apparel (sorry, skateboarding is not yet a recognized religion);
- Books, dictionaries, papers of any kind, calculators, rulers, slide rules, compasses, protractors, abacuses, etc.;
- Mechanical pencils, ballpoint pens, fountain pens, a tablet and chisel, etc.;
- Briefcases, handbags, backpacks, duffel bags, etc. The only bags you can bring are the clear plastic bag and the bags under your eyes;
- Earplugs, headsets, those annoying little Bluetooth headsets that make people think you're talking to them, listening devices, TV Ears, etc.;
- Recording devices, cameras, mimeographs, etc.
- Guns, knives, machetes, slingshots, blow darts, brass knuckles, etc.;
- ANYTHING electronic. If it has a battery, an AC or DC adaptor, a generator, a solar panel, a nuclear reactor or gunpowder, and it is not an analog watch, you cannot bring it to the test center. Break these rules and they will throw you out. Seriously.
8. What to expect when you get there. The proctors have very strict instructions, and they will enforce them. This is one situation where you do NOT want to stand out from the crowd.
- Listen to the proctors. They are the boss of you. They may pace around the room.
- Be prepared to show your ID at any time, and repeatedly.
- You will be thumbprinted, and you'll be asked to sign a statement on your test sheet. If you don't, this could delay or invalidate your score.
- If you are late, you will not take the test.
- You'll get an assigned seat.
- The time limits are strictly enforced. Don't think that you'll be able to sneak a few bubbles in after the official time has expired.
- You won't have any scratch paper, except for the writing sample. That will be provided by the proctor if you need it.
- You will only get access to your snack and your juicebox during the break. While you are taking the test, do NOT attempt to take anything out of your plastic bag.
- If you need an emergency potty break, you'll need permission, and you'll have to turn in your materials and collect them once you're done. Remember, you will NOT get to make that time up. If you can, hold it.
- If you're left-handed (as most exceptionally bright and talented folks are), they might have a special desk for you, but they might not. You'll probably have to suffer life as a lefty in a righty's world, just like you always do.
- If something very unusual happens (e.g., the fire sprinklers go off in the test room in the middle of the test or the power goes out), you might have to take next regularly scheduled test. You won't have to pay for it, but it will be a total pain in the rear. You'll get a notice from the proctor.
- If you create a disturbance (DON'T), or you cheat, or you try to cheat (DON'T and DON'T), or try to take test materials from the test center (DON'T), you'll get in trouble. Just don't do it. Again, this is NOT the time to stand out from the crowd.
Okay. Now you're ready, right? Right! Good luck!
-UNLV Prelaw
PS. Don't take my word for it. Click here to find the LSAC's much less comical version of the test day instructions.
