1. Create Account
  2. Login
StudyUSA
Match Me
  • Create Account
  • Login
  • School Search
  • Resources
    • All Resources
    • Articles
    • Student Voices
    • Videos
    • Magazines
    • Podcasts
  • Services
    • All Services
    • Accommodation
    • Support
    • Career
    • Financial
    • Testing
    • Other
  • Apply
  • Chat

Should I Have My LSAT Hand-Scored?

Should I Have My LSAT Hand-Scored?

Aug 16, 2017

 

When a test is hand-scored, a person, instead of a machine, reviews your answer sheet. Since requesting hand scoring will cost you both time and money, which it’s safe to assume you’ve already spent on valuable LSAT resources, you’ll want to have a strong case for why it’s needed in your specific circumstances.

 

Consider having your LSAT hand scored if:

  • You didn’t sufficiently erase incorrect responses. If you tried erasing a bubble for an answer, but you couldn’t get the mark to go away, the machine might pick it up. If the machine marked that bubble as your response, hand scoring can earn you back a point or two. This is also a reminder to bring a good eraser!

 

  • You didn’t sufficiently mark correct responses. If you just ran out of time and had to bubble as fast as possible, you might not have filled in bubbles completely. First and foremost, this is a reminder of why it’s best to bubble as you go rather than waiting until the end. If you’ve followed a study schedule, it’s wise to have already practiced this and other crucial steps when learning how to study for the LSAT. But more on topic, this might be a valid reason to request hand scoring. Typically, a hand scorer won’t count answers that aren’t marked completely, but if you’re in the gray area between what a person and a machine interpret as clear marks, you may win a few extra points.

 

  • You made unintentional marks on your answer sheet. This one’s for all you lefties out there. If smudges on your answer sheet were picked up by the scoring machine, you may have a strong case for hand scoring. Another common way this could occur is if you bubble sloppily and some marks stray into the neighboring bubble. Hand scoring will ensure that only your penciled responses are reflected in your score.

 

  • You skipped a row on your answer sheet. It’s the worst-case scenario of all LSAT scenarios – you missed a row on your answer sheet and ended up recording your answers off by a row for every single question that followed. LSAC won’t always be forgiving of such an error, but there have been instances where an accurate description in the hand scoring request, matched with appropriate evidence on the answer sheet, worked in a student’s favor. If you skip a row and mis-bubble your sheet, there are no guarantees that LSAC will be understanding. But it’s worth a try.

 

How will I know if I should have my LSAT hand-scored?

Some people will walk out of their test centers and already have a sense that one of the above happened to them. After all, it can be an eye-opening experience to be almost done with the test and realize that your numbering is off on your answer sheet. If that’s you, take a look at LSAC’s page on handscoring and make the call. After all, you didn’t endure the entire length of the LSAT, just to receive an inaccurate score.

 

Other people only realize there might be a case for hand-scoring after they receive their machine-calculated score. For example, you might believe there’s a major discrepancy between your perception of your performance (based on practice test results) and your actual performance. If this is you, you’ll have to make a judgment call, keeping in mind that it’s possible for hand-scoring to result in a lower reported score.

 

The best thing you can do if you find yourself in one of these situations is to request hand-scoring as soon as possible. State your case clearly to LSAC and do so sooner, rather than later. (Hand-scoring requests received later than 60 days after the test will not be accepted.) Even if you do end up with the same score, you’ll at least be certain that it’s the correct one.

 

About the author - Catherine supports Magoosh’s future grad school students by unlocking tricks of the test prep and application trade. She specializes in the LSAT, but also brings her experience in test prep and higher ed admissions to Magoosh students. Catherine spends her free time checking out local farmer’s markets, reading food and lifestyle blogs, and watching Bravo. She is forever in search of the best Mexican and Italian food in any given city.

 

This blog post originally appeared on the Magoosh LSAT blog.

 

 

 

Follow us:
Written by

Study in the USA

Get matched to the best program for you

Let us know what you're looking for so we can find the best school for you.

Get matched
Call to action background image. Decorative.

Useful Articles

Main image for the blog post titled New Year, New Me…not!
New Year, New Me…not!
Main image for the blog post titled An Open Letter to Lycoming College
An Open Letter to Lycoming College
Main image for the blog post titled Learn to Protect Our Environment for a Living
Learn to Protect Our Environment for a Living
Main image for the blog post titled Learn English at Disney
Learn English at Disney
Read more

Check Out These Schools

Broward College

Broward College

$10,000 — $15,000 Year

Bachelor Degree 2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs English Programs
Contact
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

$15,000—$20,000 Year

Masters Bachelor Degree
Contact
Arizona State University

Arizona State University

$15,000—$20,000 Semester

Masters Bachelor Degree English Programs
Contact

Related Stories

How to Become an Active Participant in College Student Life

Main image for the article titled How to Become an Active Participant in College Student Life
Applying to College as an International Student

Main image for the article titled Applying to College as an International Student
An Open Letter to Lycoming College

Main image for the article titled An Open Letter to Lycoming College

Start your U.S. adventure with Study in the USA

What's your dream? We can guide, advise, and connect you with your perfect U.S. school. We can also help you with the application process.
More about us
Partner Services

Learn About U.S. education financing, housing, and more

Partner service logo for Renters Insurance

Renters Insurance

SURE offers hassle-free renters insurance that'll protect your clothes, furniture, and even yourself from unexpected damages and injuries. The SURE team will get you set up with a free quote and the correct coverage that you need!

Read more
Partner service logo for Find an Advisor

Find an Advisor

Study in the USA’s advisors can work with you to navigate the requirements to study abroad in the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia. We help you find the right school and apply.

Read more
Partner service logo for BetterHelp

BetterHelp

BetterHelp is the world’s largest therapy service, and it’s 100% online. You get the same professionalism and quality you expect from in-office therapy, but with access to a huge network of therapists, more scheduling flexibility, and at a more affor...

Read more

Testimonials

Quotation mark.

By Using StudyUSA.com, I came to know about various universities in the USA. The website is very informative and has all the details for scholarships. Thank you!

Sai Yaswanth Sai Yaswanth India

I read the information found on StudyUSA.com and it helped me understand the process of applying in the USA. I have also talked to a StudyUSA counselor and she helped me with the things I struggle with like my essay for college application. StudyUSA give me the information I needed.

Anais Gardere Haiti

I applied to UNT (University of North Texas). I got in and I'm set to start my second semester now in January 2019. Thanks for all your help!

Inger Mariama Marong Norway

Resources

Learn about American culture and education direct from our experts at Study in the USA. Read more

Achieving Your Goal
Admissions and Placement Testing
Beyond the Basics
Education System in the USA
Financing Your U.S. Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Life in the USA
Resources
Student Experiences
For students age 10-18
Study in Canada
Podcasts
Magazines
Videos
Student Voices
Ask StudyUSA.com

Subscribe to get the latest from Study in the USA

You can unsubscribe at any time.


StudyUSA
Explore

  • School Search
  • Resources
  •   Articles
  •   Student Voices
  •   Videos
  •   Magazines
  • Partner Services
  •   Accommodation
  •   Career
  •   Financial
  •   Other
  •   Support
  •   Testing
  • Apply
  • Chat
Information

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Course Index
  • Article Index
  • Create account
  • Sign in
  • For Educators & Institutions
Match Me
  • English
    English

  • Privacy & Policy
  • /
  • Terms

Study in the USA logo

© 2023 Study in the USA. All Rights Reserved.

Global Study logo
A member of the Global Study network

When you visit or interact with our sites, services or tools, we or our authorised service providers may use cookies for storing information to help provide you with a better, faster and safer experience and for marketing purposes.