<p>At today's administration, I received a Misconduct/Irregularities Notice. After the 4th section, I was absent-mindedly rubbing my eraser on the answer sheet. I wasn't erasing any darkened bubbles or any marks, it was just more of a nervous gesture while she gave instructions for the next section. She saw me and repeated to put down my pencil, and I realized what I was doing and stopped immediately. Well, she cited this as "working beyond time limits" and it's being sent the LSAC now. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any ideas about the best course of action? What I was doing wasn't working beyond the time limit because I wasn't marking/erasing any work on the paper, but what I'm reading on the LSAC website makes it sound like I'm screwed and this is going on my permanent record. :(</p>
<p>i really dont know what you can do</p>
<p>all i can do is offer my sympathies</p>
<p>sorry to break the news, i think you are in big trouble, like i think you might have to think of finding a new profession</p>
<p>the consequences seem serious, and "erasing" is considered an offense</p>
<p>Examples of misconduct and irregularities include,
but are not limited to submission of an altered or a
nonauthentic transcript; submission of an application
containing false, inconsistent, or misleading information;
submission of an altered, nonauthentic, or unauthorized
letter of recommendation; falsification of records;
impersonation of another in taking the LSAT; switching
of LSAT answer sheets with another; taking the LSAT for
purposes other than applying to law school; copying on,
or other forms of cheating on, the LSAT; obtaining
advance access to test materials; theft of test materials;
working, marking, erasing, reading, or turning pages on
sections of the LSAT during unauthorized times; submission
of false, inconsistent, or misleading information
to the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS); false,
inconsistent, or misleading statements or omissions of
information requested online or on forms as part of the
LSAT and/or LSDAS registration process or on individual
law school application forms; falsification of transcript
information, school attendance, honors, awards, or
employment; or providing false, inconsistent, or misleading
information in the financial aid/scholarship
application process. A charge of misconduct or irregularity
may be made prior to a candidate’s admission to
law school, after matriculation at a law school, or after
admission to practi</p>
<p>Yeah, I read that too, which is why I'm absolutely freaking out. The thing is, it's my word against hers on whether I was "working, marking, erasing, reading, or turning pages on sections of the LSAT during unauthorized times." I was just blindly erasing, like on the edge of the answer sheet (I don't even honestly remember where it was, just random). No one seems to have actually gone through the process with the Committee on Irregularities, so I can't figure out the best way to fight it, and if I even have a chance... ugh.</p>
<p>i mean, just curious, are you someone who is at a top 15 school and like do you think that you had a legit chance at a top 14 school with a great lsat?</p>
<p>I would say so... at least, I'm planning on applying to top 15 schools. Top 25 at the very least... assuming this doesn't ruin everything. It just seems so ridiculous that 5 seconds of a mindless nervous habit could completely undermine all the effort and energy I've put into this whole thing.</p>
<p>I'd say an honestly written letter in your application to explain it... try to get one of your professors to understand what happened and have them write a letter to vouch for your character. I'm sure it couldn't hurt.</p>
<p>Writing a letter of explanation is good advice. I would also take the test again in November to prove to schools that you can get a good score without any irregularities.</p>
<p>are you serious?</p>
<p>I'm just carious because the proctor I had today was much more casual. one person was darkening an answer before the allotted time. the proctor just told him to stop.</p>
<p>your proctor must be out of her mind. </p>
<p>I'd contact your college prelaw advisor, who can probably connect you with a knowledgeable source on the matter.</p>
<p>lsac is a reputable institution. there must be a mechanism for you to express your point of view on the matter.</p>
<p>additionally, law schools should be able to understand your predictament.</p>
<p>have faith in the system.</p>
<p>don't let this B.S. get in the way.</p>
<p>Yes, seriously. Don't freak out! Get in touch with your prelaw advisor ASAP and explain the situation. He or she must know the proper way to handle this.</p>
<p>Thank you guys so much for the great advice! It sucks that rather than being happy and relieved, I have to have this hanging over me... but I'm sure the LSAC has some system of dealing with it. I don't know why she called me out, either! There were other people who she had to remind not to write between sections, but nobody else got a warning. Guess I'm just special...</p>
<p>Some proctors are horribly anal. Some are very laid-back.</p>
<p>First thing: contact your pre-law advisor NOW. He/she will have probably seen this once or twice and can help.</p>
<p>Second: re-take the LSAT without irregularities. Study like crazy so that your score is at least as good.</p>
<p>Third: ensure that your recommendations speak to your strong character. </p>
<p>Fourth: consider NOT applying to schools with strong honour codes. The irregularity is enough in of itself to sink your application. </p>
<p>Fifth: be honest, be upfront, apologize for what you did do but have conviction to stand up for yourself re: what you did not do. Say that you should have known better, considering the nature of the exam; that you were fiddling with your eraser; that you were nervous, etc. etc. Then go ahead and say that you were not, in any way, re-doing answers. Emphasize the logical flaw in the proctor's issue: you were erasing, not re-writing. LSAT doesn't mark you down for wrong answers... erasing doesn't get you anywhere.</p>
<p>Adding to Ariesathena's recommendations. Going on the basis that your story is true, your answer sheet may still be available to corroborate that you did not erase any answers but that any erasure marks would be outside the answer box area, which would back up your story of a nervous habit. Check quickly with your advisor or the LSAC to ensure that your answer sheet is not destroyed before this can be resolved and see what if any appeals can be made. The LSAC may still decide to not overrule the proctor - after all that's why a proctor is there and you were erasing after the time period - but at least you may have something to say. Otherwise it will be your word against the proctor's, with no evidence to back your story.</p>