The prospect of taking the LSATs can be incredibly daunting and the idea of an LSAT proctor may seem excessive, but in order to set yourself up for success, we recommend students prepare as much as possible before the big day arrives. This means time, dedication and commitment. It also means having the right tools for the job.
One vital tool is a virtual LSAT proctor, which enables students to take full-length LSAT practice exams under conditions that closely mimic the real LSAT test conditions. These LSAT virtual proctors are practical timers that offer human cues to let you know when to start and stop each test section, when to take a break, and give you a 5-minute warning before a section ends, in the same way that a live proctor would time a real LSAT.
Several companies offer free online virtual proctors, making this tool easily accessible as well as incredibly helpful for LSATs preparation. Here we will look at the best LSAT proctors of 2024.
The 4 Best Virtual LSAT Proctors for 2024
7Sage LSAT Prep
Read our full 7Sage review
The brainchild of two Harvard Law graduates, the 7Sage app is perfect for LSAT prep, coming complete with a multitude of useful tools. It includes a full-featured exam proctor, designed to make practicing LSATs feel just like the real deal. The proctor even comes with 13 different voices to keep things interesting! Alongside the proctor, the app includes an LSAT course, scorer, video explanations and LSAT logic games. You can grade and track all your LSAT PrepTests, making it easy to keep an eye on your progress.
If you don’t want the app, 7Sage LSAT Prep also offers free, downloadable proctor and timers from the 7Sage website. The virtual proctor tool is available for either 4 or 5 section LSAT practice tests.
What we like:
- Real LSAT proctoring instructions
- A variety of proctor voices to choose from on the app
- The app comes with adjustable speed, noises and distractions to make the environment as realistic as possible
- The proctors on the 7Sage website are available to download for free, so you can use them without internet access
What we don’t like:
- The app may need the occasional bug fix
- Certain features on the app will cost you some money
Best for: Anyone in need of raising their LSAT score. 7Sage reports an average of an 11-point increase in the cold-diagnostic scores of their enrolled app students. While all the features of the app may be too much for some, the free downloadable proctors do the job well to simulate the real exam, helping prepare you for what’s to come.
Related: How Long to Study for the LSAT?
PowerScore LSAT Test Prep
The guys at PowerScore offer a free LSAT virtual proctor that has been designed to simulate the behavior of a real-life proctor. Their proctors are set up to time both the standard 4 and 5 section LSAT prep tests, helping you to get the timing of the LSATs down and beat the test. PowerScore also offers the chance to purchase practice tests from their website, if you need them.
What we like:
- The virtual proctors are free
- Option to choose a proctor for either the 4 or 5 section LSAT prep tests
- They offer some extra resources on their free self-study site
What we don’t like:
- There is only one virtual proctor voice, so after using the tool many times, the voice may become a bit boring to listen to
- It doesn’t include any distractions or noises
Best for: Those looking for a free and easy way to access a virtual proctor tool to time themselves practicing the LSATs at home. All you need to do is go to the website and click play. It couldn’t be simpler.
Manhattan Prep
The free Manhattan Prep virtual proctor starts playing as soon as you land on the website. In addition to timing you, it gives you time to prepare your materials, explains how the proctor works, and offers some tips for reviewing your work. It’s a five section test prep proctor, as it includes the random experimental section. This virtual proctor is designed to be used alongside the Manhattan LSAT Practice Book. However, it can also be used with any LSAT practice test, but you will need to make sure you insert a random experimental section if your practice test doesn’t contain one.
What we like:
- It’s a free virtual proctor
- You can navigate through the sections using the table of contents
- Offers some useful tips and advice
- Manhattan Prep offers a mix of other resources to go alongside the proctor, including LSATs practice tests and an online tracker to see your progress
What we don’t like:
- Doesn’t offer a proctor for a 4 section practice test – you will need to get hold of a 5 section practice paper, or locate a random experimental section to add to your 4 section paper, to make the most of this virtual proctor
- Only one proctor voice – this may get boring after several uses
Best for: Anyone after a free virtual proctor for a 5 section practice LSATs test, this one does what it says on the label. Simple and easy to navigate.
Related: 4 Completely Free LSAT Study Guides
Blueprint LSAT Prep
Read our full review: Blueprint LSAT Review
Probably the most simple free virtual LSAT resource out there, the Blueprint Timer counts down from 10 seconds before immediately beginning timing the first section of the test. It includes a timer for all 5 sections, including a 15 minute timed break after the third section. With no frills attached, this timer has no proctor voice, instead making a noise and changing color to let you know when you have 5 minutes left, and then using a ticking noise to count down the final 10 seconds.
What we like:
- A basic and simple timer
- It’s free to use
- The color changing screen and noises are a relatively non-invasive way to keep you aware of the time
- Similar to the other companies, Blueprint offers some other LSAT resources
What we don’t like:
- Not a realistic simulation of a live LSATs test as it’s just a timer, it doesn’t include human cues
Best for: Those of you who want access to a no-frills timer to practice the LSAT, without having to keep resetting the timer on your phone. Occasionally you may just want to sit down and work your way through some practice tests as a way of getting faster and beating the clock, without the need for always simulating the real deal. This is ideal for that scenario. For times when you want to mimic a live test, it would be advisable to use one of the other companies’ virtual proctors.
Tips for Taking a Proctored Practice LSAT
We can all agree the LSATs are no walk in the park, so being prepared is crucial. Here are our 3 most useful tips for taking a proctored practice LSAT:
- You are given 35 minutes to complete each section. Try not to rush through, but work at a brisk pace. Equally, don’t dawdle. Working through each section at a steady pace is vital to ensuring you answer every question.
- You don’t lose marks for blank or incorrect answers, so make sure you answer every question, even if you’re unsure of the answer. This will only help, not hinder, your score.
- Even though it’s a practice test, treat it like the real deal. When your time is up, stop. You won’t improve if you give yourself extra time.
Final Thoughts on LSAT Proctors
Timing yourself when taking practice LSATs is integral to the preparation process. It allows you to constantly monitor your speed, helping you establish a pace that means you move comfortably through the test while maintaining your accuracy.
Although it can be tempting to use your watch or timer on your phone, making a virtual proctor your companion can be highly beneficial. This practical tool takes the timer concept to the next level by mimicking the test day conditions as accurately as possible, including the use of human cues. This can make a big difference in helping you acclimatize to the big day and feel prepared for whatever the LSATs throw your way.