Law School Admission Test to Eliminate Controversial “Logic Games” Section Beginning May 2024
Enactment of Nyman Turkish’s landmark settlement with blind law school applicants set to bring profound change to the law school admission process.
The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) has announced it will be doing away with the Analytical Reasoning or “Logic Games” section of the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), as part of the enactment of a landmark settlement with two blind law school applicants. This groundbreaking decision removes decades old barriers that have prevented many blind applicants from entering the legal profession and represents a step forward toward fostering a more inclusive and diverse legal profession.
On October 18, 2023, the LSAC officially announced the elimination of the logic games from the LSAT, a decision that follows several years of advocacy and a landmark settlement agreement between Nyman Turkish PC and LSAC on behalf of clients Angelo Binno and Shelesha Taylor. The settlement committed LSAC to making substantial changes to the logic games section to ensure it no longer acts as a barrier to law school admission for blind test takers. Mr. Binno and Ms. Taylor sued seeking relief not only for themselves, but for all people who are blind or visually impaired. Enactment of the settlement agreement is expected to effectuate broad, positive change in the law school admissions process.
The Logic Games, which previously accounted for one-quarter of the LSAT, required test takers to draw pictures and diagrams, and engage in visualizing spatial relationships. For years, the Logic Games have presented insurmountable challenges to members of the blind community, making it exceedingly difficult to compete on a level playing field with other applicants. The elimination of the Logic Games will foster diversity and inclusivity within the legal profession.
Angelo Binno, one of the plaintiffs represented by Nyman Turkish PC, expressed his enthusiasm for LSAC’s announcement: “I am thrilled beyond measure to learn that the Logic Games will no longer be a part of the LSAT. It has been one of the honors of my life to fight for myself and others who have faced the same challenges I have—and I look forward to seeing the changes it will bring about.”
Nyman Turkish PC Managing Partner and Lead Counsel for the plaintiffs, Jason Turkish, views this as an important step for blind law school applicants and the legal profession. “The legal profession needs lawyers who are empathetic to the needs of their clients. Angelo and Shelesha are the perfect examples of that; their bravery and advocacy for other blind and visually impaired law students has been inspiring. There is a disproportionate lack of blind and disabled lawyers, and I firmly believe that removing this barrier will allow a talented group of prospective lawyers to enter the profession and change the world for the better.”
The Logic Games will be phased out in August 2024 and replaced with an additional logical reasoning section, making the LSAT more accessible and equitable for all aspiring law students. Nyman Turkish PC commends LSAC for its announcement and believes that this decision will significantly contribute to creating a legal community that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds and abilities.
Law School Admission Test to drop ‘logic games’ questions from exam