Law admission test changes

By Andrew Barbero

Stressed-out law school hopefuls can breathe a little easier now as a major admissions policy has been changed.

The American Bar Association has instructed law schools to stop averaging the scores of students who take the law school admissions test multiple times, and instead to simply take the student’s highest score. The move aims to benefit students who underachieved on their first sitting.

“The LSAT is a very intimidating test, but it is something you can get better at,” said Students’ Union faculty of law representative Josh Hill. “Overall, it will be an advantage for students.”

Most Canadian law schools are not sponsored by the ABA, meaning some schools may not change their policy, though the University of Calgary will likely make the switch.

“We’re looking at the benefit of the student,” said Karen Argento, student services advisor for the faculty of law. “We belong to Law School Admissions Council (LSAC), and they set certain policies they feel are fairest and best for applicants. They have recommended this policy, so we’ll look at it.”

No change will be official until an admissions board convenes in February to discuss the proposal.

In the background, a small controversy is growing as some question the altruistic nature of the change.

“Everyone who writes the LSAT has to go through LSAC, so they stand to make a lot of money,” said Hill, citing the $143.55 cost of writing the LSAC exam. “If you had a bad day and you think you can improve, then this a good thing. But some students who don’t really have a chance will just get fleeced by writing the exam again.”

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