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LSAT security cancel - how bad it is?

Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 4:53 pm
by oakinwind
My first LSAT was canceled because I carried my cell phone with me when I entered test center, though I told the proctor and handed it over voluntarily before I checked in.

My next LSATs were good, and I am aiming for T14,

Will that incident affect my circle badly? anybody has experience? I will definitely write an addendum, any suggestions on the addendum are appreciated. Thanks!

Re: LSAT security cancel - how bad it is?

Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 5:00 pm
by westbayguy
Seriously? They cancelled your score because of this? Makes no sense.
My first LSAT was canceled because I carried my cell phone with me when I entered test center, though I told the proctor and handed it over voluntarily before I checked in.

Re: LSAT security cancel - how bad it is?

Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 5:06 pm
by westbayguy
Really- wow they are serious- seems kind of unfair though- what are you supposed to do with your phone if you made a mistake and innocently forgot? Seems like a voluntary turn over BEFORE the test should have gotten you off for "harmless error". Besides you weren't "discovered" with the device- you vountarily turned yourself in.

Probably decided by the same folks who denied accommodations to a blind person.

http://www.lsac.org/JD/LSAT/day-of-test.asp

Items Prohibited at the Test Center

You may not bring into the testing center any of the following:

•electronic timers of any kind
•digital watches, alarm watches, beeping watches, calculator watches
•cell phones, pay phones, beepers, pagers, personal digital assistants (PDAs)
•personal computers
•calculators
•photographic or recording devices
•listening devices
•headsets, iPods, or other media players
•books, dictionaries, papers of any kind
•rulers, slide rules, compasses
•mechanical pencils
•briefcases, handbags, backpacks
•earplugs
•hats/hoods (except religious apparel) may not be worn on the head
•weapons or firearms

IMPORTANT: Electronic devices, including cell phones, are not permitted in the test center, and the use of any electronic device is strictly prohibited. Any test taker discovered in possession of an electronic device, including but not limited to cell phones, pay phones, pagers, iPods™ or other media players, or personal computers, will be dismissed from the test. This policy will be enforced from the time test takers arrive at the test center until they leave at the conclusion of the test—including the break. Violations will be grounds for score cancellation. LSAC and test center staff assume no responsibility for personal items

Re: LSAT security cancel - how bad it is?

Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 5:11 pm
by clarified_butter
Just tell them that you absently mindedly took the phone into the center and then apologize sincerly for it. Keep it under 5 sentences for an explanation.
oakinwind wrote:My first LSAT was canceled because I carried my cell phone with me when I entered test center, though I told the proctor and handed it over voluntarily before I checked in.

My next LSAT was good, and I am aiming for T14,

Will that incident affect my circle badly? anybody has experience? I will definitely write an addendum, any suggestions on the addendum are appreciated. Thanks!

Re: LSAT security cancel - how bad it is?

Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 5:12 pm
by Elston Gunn
Just write an addendum explaining the incident very neutrally. It clearly shouldn't be a big deal. The only concern would be that they might not believe you (unless you have documentation that your story is the reason the test got cancelled), but I also think they generally trust applicants are telling the truth unless there's a big red flag. I mean, it's just SO dumb to lie on a LS app because of C&F for the bar that I don't think schools expect you to lie.

Re: LSAT security cancel - how bad it is?

Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 5:31 pm
by T00L
That is BULLSHIT because I know the proctor of my first LSAT had her cell phone with her....BECAUSE SHE ANSWERED IT DURING A TIMED SECTION

"Sorry giiirrrrllllll, I gotta call you back...uh-huh....uh-huh....seeee youuuuuu toonniiiiggghhhttttt giirrrrrlllllll.."

It was at least 15 seconds long. I was in the back and still could hear it clearly. I thought she was going to be slain...

Re: LSAT security cancel - how bad it is?

Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 7:08 pm
by oakinwind
Guys, thank you so much for the reply. I guess the cancellation will definitely look no good, I just hope it will not be a big problem. finger crossed

Re: LSAT security cancel - how bad it is?

Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 7:19 pm
by westbayguy
Didn't you know they added a "practical" real life scenario to the test? If you had argued your way out fo the situation, you would have automatically gotten a 180! :D

Just curious, were you booted out by the proctor or cancelled after the fact?

If it was after the fact, did you appeal the cancellation?

Re: LSAT security cancel - how bad it is?

Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 7:26 pm
by oakinwind
I was dismissed..

Re: LSAT security cancel - how bad it is?

Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 7:33 pm
by dextermorgan
I can't bring my pay phone? Shit.

Re: LSAT security cancel - how bad it is?

Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 8:46 pm
by clarified_butter
At least you didn't have to sit there and take the rest of the exam.
oakinwind wrote:I was dismissed..

Re: LSAT security cancel - how bad it is?

Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 9:22 pm
by 89vision
That's awful. Sorry to hear that happened to you. Are cell phones banned more because they are a distraction, or because they could inhibit cheating?

Re: LSAT security cancel - how bad it is?

Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 9:36 pm
by clarified_butter
I bet you that it's a little bit of both.

Re: LSAT security cancel - how bad it is?

Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 10:36 pm
by Opie
89vision wrote:That's awful. Sorry to hear that happened to you. Are cell phones banned more because they are a distraction, or because they could inhibit cheating?
LOL

Re: LSAT security cancel - how bad it is?

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 1:12 pm
by thederangedwang
4 people brought cell phones to my test

first one was texting beforehard...phone got taken away but they let him back in

then proctor asked does anyone else have a phone?

2 people raised their hands, they got escorted out but allowed back in to take the test

then proctor sarcastically asked anyone else?

another person who wasnt paying attn to the first annoucement raised her hand...

audible groans from test takers but she was still allowed to take the test



idk wat kind of proctor u had but mine was cool

Re: LSAT security cancel - how bad it is?

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 1:56 pm
by clarified_butter
I have a question: How hard is it to leave your damn cell phone in your car? These people kill me...just leave the thing in your car for the 4.5 hours! This just goes to show you how sad, ignorant and co-dependent people are on these electronic devices. They are willing to risk getting thrown out of an important test--which affects their future--just so they can continue to text and update their Facebook status. And this goes for the test proctors too...they shouldn't be bringing their phones in their either...they are distracting the test takers by using them during the exam!

I excuse the OP for taking his cell phone in...he legitimately didn't mean to...he was rushed and nervous that morning. The rest of these people deserve to get kicked out of the test.

Re: LSAT security cancel - how bad it is?

Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 10:48 pm
by dovlet
Hi,
I would like to know what steps were taken regarding your cell phone violations? Did it affect you negatively? What punishment if any, LSAC gave you as result of cell phone violations?