The administration of the test to my specific group at the test center I attended was a bit of a circus. Let me say up front that I don't think my performance was affected by it. With that in mind, I'm trying to determine whether or not I should file a complaint with LSAC. My hesitation is largely due to the fact that it's not clear to me what the result of a "successful" complaint would be. What are the possibilities?

The troubling circumstances mostly come back to one thing: the two proctors did not know how to administer the test and did not follow proper procedure. This resulted in an environment in which cheating would have been easy. Examples:

-At the outset, the proctors just handed out our test booklets/answer sheets and told us to go ahead and fill out the information. They were distracted with filling out the seating chart and collecting our admission tickets while this was going on.

-They didn't collect our exams and answer sheets during the break. We just left them on our desks and were free to come and go from the testing room during the break. At one point during the break, I believe both proctors left the room.

-During the break, we were not contained to a specific area. We were free to roam about the building and even go outside, which at least two test-takers did.

Other examples of sloppy administration:

-Right before the first section, the proctor started by saying "Ok, so I'm going to give you one minute to read the directions, and then we'll start..." One of the test-takers corrected him.

-During one section, one of the proctors was fiddling with a digital timer. The alarm went off.

-During the first minute or so of one of the sections, the proctors were conversing about something. It was in whispers, but it was a small classroom.

-One of the proctors entered and exited the testing room at least once or twice. At the end of the third section, only one proctor was in the room. She was getting ready to start the fourth section when someone in the room informed her we were entitled to a 15 minute break.

Let me know what y'all think.

That is sloppy. Although, I would be mad as hell at the person who corrected the proctor about giving an extra minute to stare at the exam (I bet it was you.).

You already basically wrote the complaint. Go ahead a file it.

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You should definitely file a complaint. The proctors clearly did not follow protocol and their laxity jeopardizes the validity of the test. I do not know the exact procedure for investigating complaints, but I assume with something like this, especially if it is substantiated by multiple complaints, they would investigate the incidences, center and proctor. The proctors and probably the person in charge of the center would not be allowed to work a test administration again and potentially, the center would no longer be used.


They would also probably look for instances of actual cheating. If they did find clear evidence of cheating, then I'm not sure what would happen beyond those scores being invalidated and violations given to the cheaters. It's possible, though unlikely, they would consider the whole room compromised and invalidate all the scores. I would not let this possibility prevent you from pursuing the claim.

I was in a somewhat similar situation with my first administration. The proctors were clearly unexperienced and not well trained and on one section forgot to give the 5 min. warning. When time expired, they realized this, and the head proctor gave us an extra 5 min. 5 extra minutes on a LSAT section! I didn't complain and my score posted normally. I doubt anyone complained though, since it was a small room(about 30 people) and it benefited everyone.

@Nova, haha, no, wasn't me. Though I'd like to think I would've if someone else hadn't spoken up. I'm all self-righteousy like that.

@dsb83, thanks for the info. If all scores in the room were invalidated, would LSAC give us an opportunity to retake before October? I presume not, but thought I'd ask.

where was your testing center - sounds an awful lot like mine. i was a person that a proctor went up to and started asking how to spell my name because he couldn't read my hand writing. so he disturbed during reading comp until i had to tell him literally, "i'm testing, i can't talk" and then he laughed. i guess i missed the deadline for the complaint filing and it was last hoorah test trying to score higher to renegotiate my awards from where i'm planning to go...so i guess nothing i could really gain from filing a complain right?

just sucks. what proctor starts trying to talk to you!?!?!

Thats messed up.

Pretty sure the only thing that happens from a successful complaint is your score is cancelled and you get a free retake. That's why the deadline makes you file complaints before scores are released. You can't see your score and then get it cancelled by complaining.

This, lol.