My son was recently diagnosed with both ADHD and some learning disabilties. He is a junior in college - suspended for a while due to grades. That is how we found out about all of this. He will return this spring. Meanwhile, he decided he would like to take the LSAT. He was reading about the accomadations that are offered - he mainly needs extended time. On the LSAT web site it makes it clear that if he takes it with the accomadations he will not be ranked with the everyone else. His scores will apparently be singled out and flagged due to the accomadations. He thinks this would be a definite problem when trying to apply to law schools. Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? Thanks.

While they may be flagged, they wouldnt be able to disclose the reasons WHY he was given accomodations (That would be against the law).

There could be any number of reasons why a student was given accomodations, and in the end, their score matters just as much, right?

He is concerned that he would be at a disadvantage because they wouldn't rank him with everyone else that takes the test. He wouldn't get a percentile ranking, just his score. Not sure how that would effect his law school applications.

The Law schools should take into consideration any documented learning disability - I'd call the Registrars at a few schools and check on their policies on that, including how extra time affects their opinion of an LSAT score.
How does your son do on IQ tests? (the LSAT is basically a fancy IQ test) If he has done well on IQ tests in the past I'd have him take the LSAT and see how he does without extra accomodations. Of course this depends on his learning disabilities - If he has a problem with reading, he should take the extra time. I have ADD and an LD (dysgraphia - problems with writing) and when I took the LSAT, I aced it! But then I always do very well on tests that you can't study for - the ones that require study, I don't do as well on.

The LSAT is an important indicator for law school entrance. The test provides a standard measure of acquired reading and verbal reasoning skills which many law schools can use as one of several factors in assessing applicants. ONE OF SEVERAL FACTORS.
There are additional reasons to have accomodations, learning disabilities is just ONE. Although the test will be flagged, the final score will still be submitted and used. Quite frankly, it is better to have ONE good score than an average of several. With tests like the LSAT, as many times as you "attempt" to take the test all of your scores will be averaged and reported accordingly. My reccommendation is to use the extra time wisely. The LSAC supports a website that answers many questions and offers to give telephone support. Please check it out.

www.lsac.org

He ususally does well on tests. He tests in the gifted range, but he does do better if he has extended time. One of his problems is like yours - disgraphia. Has a very tough time getting the words on paper. He also has some memory difficulties and very slow processing. The extended time would help a lot with the slow reading. He is just worried that the accomodations - extended time - would count against him. Good idea to call a couple of schools and see what they say. We actually have a law school here in our town. Thanks.

With tests like the LSAT, as many times as you "attempt" to take the test all of your scores will be averaged and reported accordingly.


This is untrue. The schools you apply to will be able to see all of your LSAT scores separately. Many schools do take an average of those scores when determining your eligibility. Others take only the highest of your scores into consideration. Still others take only your most recent. It's important to find out what the policies are for the schools you are applying to.

That said, it is of course always best to take the LSAT only once. If you don't feel ready, don't take it. I got a 166 (95th pecentile) when I took it (timed normally--I had no idea it could be done otherwise), which I know was good enough to be accepted to at least one law school (I'm starting this fall), but not as good as I hoped (I did absolutely amazing on all the sections except Analytical Reasoning--which I only got half the questions correct).

cchapin, if your son hasn't yet taken the test, the best thing to do is to study study study! Nobody can possibly expect to do well on a real LSAT until they've done well on several timed ones at home. If your son can get a score he is satisfied with on a timed test taken at home, then go for the regularly-timed LSAT.

Hey there--
I get what you're saying--this is a really difficult thing. I'm sure you'll have him take some practice lsats to get a sense of how he might do?

Don't get discouraged--there's more than one way to enter the profession (starting as a paralegal, taking a course as a special student).

I have a nonverbal learning disability that means a probable low LSAT. My VIQ is in the 99%, but my spatial-IQ is in the low 70th %ile. Most of what the LSAT measures is spatial reasoning--logic problems. So if he's good at math, he'll probably have a high LSAT.

I hope for the best. More lawyers with learning issues will help advance justice for all.

Yes I have precisely the same problem.Yet I do really well in critical analysis or writing tasks when given the time. No problems at all with reading/writing. Another problem of the LSAT - doesn't take into consideration different types of ADHD. Those people with the spacial quotient deficit will likely have mathamatical problems (dyscalcula) but then again make excellent lawyers. The LSAT relies on the mechanics of algrebra. Now if I remember my epidemiology correctly - less than half of all people with ADHD have comorbid math disorder. Which means that another proportion of people with ADHD would do well on the LSAT and benefit from extra time.

Math disorder is a severe neurological deficit in immediate memory aka ADHD. According to a neurologist I once spoke with my chances of getting good at math were about as good as teaching an acute stroke victim to ride a bicycle.

Now I got into Mensa a few years back, did the ol BA degree and still am underachieving as per usual. Anyone have any advice how I or any 'Type Q' ADHD can get into ADA law school?