New ABA Policy Change Requires Law Schools to Report Only Students' Highest LSAT Score
Beginning in the fall of 2007, law schools will be required to report only students’ highest LSAT score to the ABA (American Bar Association), rather than the averaged LSAT scores as was previously required. The immediate implications of this policy change will be reflected in the ABA’s release of law school data, which contains information about law schools’ admissions patterns.
Hilton Head Island, SC (PRWEB) June 24, 2006
Beginning in the fall of 2007, law schools will be required to report only students’ highest LSAT score to the ABA (American Bar Association), rather than the averaged LSAT scores as was previously required. The immediate implications of this policy change will be reflected in the ABA’s release of law school data, which contains information about law schools’ admissions patterns, most notably the median range of 25% to 75% in accepted applicants’ LSAT scores. Jon Denning, Instructor and Course Developer at PowerScore Test Preparation, states, “LSAT averages will appear to be somewhat higher than in previous years because law schools will now only report the highest score. While this adjusted data will likely affect ranking and, to some degree, notoriety amongst accredited schools, it remains to be seen just what the consequences will be for applicants.”
Law Services (LSAC) officially changed their policy on averaging multiple LSAT scores on Feb. 14th 2006, when they revised their "Cautionary Policies Concerning LSAT Scores and Related Services.” The updated “Cautionary Policies” no longer encourages the averaging of multiple LSAT scores. This change is intended to advise law schools to use their best judgment in deciding which LSAT score best reflects the applicant's potential.
In a follow-up to the change in policy, the Council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admission to the Bar scheduled a discussion in June to decide whether to require law schools to report averaged LSAT scores of applicants who took the test more than once. The council voted to change policy and require schools to submit only the highest LSAT score of all students admitted. According to Nancy Slonim, Deputy Director for Policy Communications at ABA, “Under the new policy, schools may determine their median using the highest score each student achieved, whether the individual student took the exam once or took it multiple times. Please note this change only affects how schools determine the median LSAT score of an entering class.”
According to several law schools, the short-term ramifications of this change will be minor, having little effect on the admissions policies currently in place. “Law schools will report only the highest LSAT scores for applicants to the ABA, but the majority will still consider the average of all scores when making admissions decisions. Some schools are making exceptions to this averaging policy, such as Berkeley and Stanford. They will focus solely on the highest score, but this change in score reporting does not universally represent a significant departure from current admissions practices,” says David Killoran, CEO and Director of Course Development at PowerScore. Students should not assume they can now take the test more times in an effort to obtain a single, outstanding score. Students should first contact each of the law schools to which they will potentially apply and inquire as to the effect that this new policy will have on evaluating applicants for admission.
PowerScore instructors and test experts are available to explain the ABA policy change and can help clarify the impact this change will have on students preparing to take the LSAT and applying to Law School. To speak with or schedule an interview with Jon Denning, Instructor and Course Developer, please call 800-545-1750 and ask to speak with Laura Pilcher.
Additionally, PowerScore can assist students applying for entry into the Law School of their choice. PowerScore has gathered a team of admissions and personal statement experts -- including former law school admissions board members, top lawyers, and students from top ten law schools. Admissions Counselors can help students address weaknesses in their application such as a low GPA or LSAT score, inconsistent undergraduate performance, non-traditional undergraduate major, criminal record, and time gaps in work history.
PowerScore is one of the world’s fastest growing test preparation companies and offers GMAT, GRE, LSAT, and SAT preparation classes in over 75 locations in the U. S. and abroad. For more information, please visit http://www. powerscore. com.
Contact: Laura Pilcher
1-800-545-1750
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