The main exam used for admission to U.S. law schools will return to a fully in-person format later this year, as officials move to tighten security following rising concerns about cheating. The change was reported by Reuters.
Starting in August, the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) will no longer be offered online. According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), the test will be administered exclusively at approved testing centers after the June exam. Limited exceptions will apply for candidates with certain medical conditions or specific geographic hardships.
In a statement posted on its website, the council said it already employs extensive safeguards before, during and after testing. However, it added that in-person administration will serve as a stronger deterrent against misconduct and better protect the integrity of the exam.
The LSAT moved online in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Later, in 2023, LSAC introduced a hybrid system, allowing candidates to choose between remote testing and physical test centers. That flexibility is now ending.
Security concerns drive decision
The council’s shift follows growing alarm over organized cheating schemes. In August, LSAC suspended the online LSAT in mainland China after reports of systemic misconduct surfaced. While officials described test security as a global priority, a spokesperson declined to specify whether similar concerns had emerged elsewhere.
Test preparation companies had already pushed for eliminating the remote option. Dave Killoran, CEO of PowerScore, told Reuters the decision was necessary. He argued that removing remote access would significantly limit opportunities for organized cheating operations to steal or resell test content.
Reports have described sophisticated tactics used by cheating rings. Some groups allegedly recruit individuals to memorize test questions and later reconstruct them for paying clients. Others have used hidden high-definition cameras or remote access software to photograph exams or assist test-takers in real time. Steve Addicott, chief operating officer of exam security firm Caveon, previously outlined these methods in interviews with Reuters.
A Chinese student now enrolled at a Texas law school told Reuters last year that he had warned LSAC about online advertisements offering cheating assistance for as much as $8,000.
Technical issues also factor in
Beyond misconduct, technical disruptions have affected remote testing. LSAC said that the majority of score holds related to technology or proctoring problems involved online test-takers. Officials believe returning to in-person administration will reduce such complications.
Data from the January exam show that most candidates already prefer physical testing sites. According to LSAC, 61% chose to sit for the LSAT at test centers, while 39% opted for the online format.
The move marks a significant rollback of pandemic-era flexibility. It also underscores how high-stakes standardized testing continues to grapple with digital security risks in an increasingly online world.
