LSAT Accommodations Denied? What to Do in the First 48 Hours

What should you do if LSAC denies your accommodations? 

Tell LSAC you intend to appeal within two business days of the decision being posted to your account, then submit supporting documentation within five calendar days. LSAC generally decides appeals within one week of submission.

The appeal window is short, and candidates often lose it by waiting to calm down or to reach a doctor. The first 48 hours matter more than anything else in the process.

Hour 0: Read the decision letter closely

If LSAC does not approve your request in full, it posts a letter explaining why. Read it line by line. Most denials and partial approvals point to a specific gap: documentation that is out of date, a missing link between a diagnosis and a test-day limitation, or an accommodation the file does not explain.

Within two business days: Give notice

Notify LSAC that you intend to appeal. This step is quick, and missing it can end your appeal before it starts.

Within five calendar days: Fill the gap

Submit documentation that answers the reason in the letter. That might be an updated letter from your provider that ties your limitations to specific accommodations, prior accommodation records, or test results that show the limitation. Answer the reason LSAC gave rather than resending the same file.

If you need more time

If your documentation arrives after the five-day window, LSAC lets you move to the next test administration at no extra cost so your appeal can still be considered. For many candidates, that is a better choice than testing without the accommodations they need.

What cannot be appealed

Denials for missing the request deadline or for not being registered cannot be appealed. Neither can requests based on preference rather than a disability-related need.

FAQ

How long does an LSAC appeal take? LSAC says you should generally receive a result within one week of submitting your appeal.

Can I appeal a partial approval? Yes. If your request was not approved in full for a disability-related reason, you can appeal the parts that were denied.

What if my appeal is denied? LSAC accepts complaints about final determinations at accommodationcomplaints@LSAC.org. An attorney can advise you on other options.

Should I take the test without accommodations? That depends on your timeline and goals. Moving to the next administration is sometimes the stronger choice.

Shana Ginsburg, Esq. is the founder of Ginsburg Legal Services and Ginsburg Advanced. She represents candidates in LSAC accommodations requests and appeals.

This post is general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.