ncta conference 2010

© Law School Admission Council 2010

NCTA Conference 2010NCTA Conference 2010

LSAT Test Security: Prohibited or Not?

Faisel Alam & Nancy Miller

Law School Admission Council

(215) 968-1100

LSAC.org


MEET MEET THE LSATTHE LSAT

• 7 US administrations/year

• 6 Total sections: 5 multiple-choice 1 UNSCORED writing

sample 1 UNSCORED multiple-

choice section

• 35 minutes per section

• Total testing time is approximately 4 hours (not including check in)

• One approximate fifteen minute break after section 3

• All test takers within a room work on the same section

• Students wait until end of test to be dismissed (except for illness or cancellation of scores)

• Can only take a twice, but a 3rd time with permission from a law school


LSACLSAC REQUIRES A STANDARDIZED REQUIRES A STANDARDIZED TESTING ENVIRONMENTTESTING ENVIRONMENT

• Test is given under the same conditions, no matter where it is administered throughout the world, no matter what day

• Goal: make sure students take the test under the same conditions

Standardized = Consistent


SECURITYSECURITY: COMMON CONCERNS: COMMON CONCERNS

Pre-Knowledge: When someone gains access to test content before it is administered.

How?How? While materials are being shipped or after materials have been delivered (during storage).

Materials are compromised during check in (unattended booklets) or during test distribution.

OR

Sadly, beware ofinternal fraud


SECURITY: COMMON CONCERNSSECURITY: COMMON CONCERNS

• Brain Dump sitesSites designed for test takers to recreate the exam

after leaving the testing centerSome sites sell parts of the exam

• Message boardsToplawschools.comLSATdiscussion.com

• Auction HouseseBay, uBid, Craig’s List, etc.



Impersonation: When one person takes the test for another.

• Use of another person’s ID / false ID• Switching of answer sheets• Changing seats• Mis-gridding the answer sheet

See page 2 and 3 in handout



Copying/Communicating:

• Copying from another person (opportunistic)• Working on the wrong section or after time is called• Putting information on clothing, water bottle, etc.• Communicating with others during the test (i.e. color

coded M&Ms: red is A, blue is B…) or at break • Stashing information or equipment in a restroom,

hallway, etc.• Receiving information via text message or phone 1 is A

2 is C

3 is A



http://damncoolpics.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-cheat-on-test.html


SECURITYSECURITY: COMMON CONCERNS: COMMON CONCERNS• Earphones

Test taker communicates with someone outside of testing area

Ear bud receiver fits comfortably inside ear



http://damncoolpics.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-cheat-on-test.html



Stealing test materials:• Taking test material out of the room or

center (stealing pages from booklet)• Hidden recording devices (phones, pens,

cameras)



When hygiene goes wrong…

VS



• Stealing test materials:Transmitting information via text/phone

Cell Phones – not just for calling mom or dad

Source: http://www.commonsensemedia.org/hi-tech-cheating


CELLCELL PHONE DETECTORS PHONE DETECTORS


LSACLSAC PROHIBITED ITEMS POLICY PROHIBITED ITEMS POLICY• Prohibited electronic items

include, but are not limited to: Electronic timers of any kind Beeping watches, alarm

watches, calculator watches Cell phones, pay phones,

beepers, pagers, PDAs Personal computers Calculators Photographic or recording

devices Listening devices Headsets, iPods, or other

media players

• Prohibited nonelectronic items include, but are not limited to: Books, dictionaries, papers

of any kind Rulers, slide rules,

compasses Mechanical pencils Briefcases, handbags,

backpacks Earplugs Hat/hoods (except religious

apparel) may not be worn on the head

Weapons or firearms – immediate dismissal


ALLOWED ITEMS:ALLOWED ITEMS: ID, wallet, keys, ID, wallet, keys,

medical or hygiene medical or hygiene supplies, tissues, supplies, tissues, pencils, erasers, pencils, erasers,

sharpener, sharpener, highlighters, snack, highlighters, snack,

beverage, admission beverage, admission ticketticket

ACTIVITY # 1:ACTIVITY # 1:Prohibited

Items


TESTINGTESTING STAFFSTAFF PROVIDE THE BEST PROVIDE THE BEST SAFEGUARDS AGAINST SECURITY SAFEGUARDS AGAINST SECURITY BREACHESBREACHES

• Be alert• Don’t ignore a problem once you see it:

address it• Support your fellow staff members• Know and follow the policies and

procedures in the LSAC’s Supervisor’s Manual


THANK YOU!THANK YOU!

QUESTIONS?

Faisel AlamTest Security Specialist Law School Admission [email protected]

ncta conference 2010

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