What to Bring & Not Bring to the LSAT
August 14, 2025
You've worked hard for months to prepare for the LSAT, following a rigorous study plan both on your own and with a tutor. You've taken several practice exams under the same time constraints as the real exam for an estimate of what your score will be. You've researched law schools and their median LSAT scores, and know where you want to apply and the kind of score you need for a better chance of admission. You may even have visited your target schools and spoken to alumni.
Now test day is almost here after all your dedicated study and preparation, and you've realized you're not sure of the rules for taking the LSAT at a test center and what you need to bring. That's not unusual, as students are so focused on doing the necessary work to achieve a top score on the exam. But the last thing you want is some misstep on your part preventing you from taking the LSAT.
Fortunately, you don't have to worry. We're here to tell you everything you need to know, detailing in this article what you need to bring with you and what you should leave home, as well as other rules and regulations to make sure there are no snags when you arrive for the exam.
LSAT Test Day: The Essentials
Once you arrive at the test center, you will be required to present a valid physical passport or photo I.D. issued by the U.S. or Canadian government to be admitted to the Prometric test center, and you won't be allowed to take the LSAT without one. It must be current or have expired within the previous three months, and have: your first and last names that exactly match the first and last names associated with your LSAC JD account; your date of birth; and a recent, recognizable photo. Other than a passport or driver's license, acceptable forms of I.D. include a state- or province-issued I.D. card and a U.S. Permanent Resident Card, commonly called a Green Card.
You will also be required to have your LSAT eligibility number and Prometric confirmation number, which can be found on the LSAT Status page in your LSAC JD Account, and your LawHub username and password, the same ones you use to get into your LSAC JD Account.
LSAT Test Day: Non-Essentials
In addition to your photo I.D. and other essential credentials, there are a few non-essentials that aren't required, but could be helpful to have with you on test day. It's a good idea to bring bottled water since you're likely to get thirsty during the exam. You will be allowed to bring a clear or transparent container of water with a lid or cap into the test room.
Although you can't take them in the test room, bring healthy snacks like a protein bar, piece of fruit, or trail mix to eat before the test begins or retrieve from your assigned locker for a snack during the 10-minute break. It will give you energy and ease any hunger pangs. Bring an extra clothing layer that you can easily put on or take off if the test room is warm or chilly so you're not bothered by the temperature.
LSAT Test Day: What to Leave at Home
While there are essential items that are required for test day and others that are helpful to have with you, there are some things you should leave at home.
Firearms and weapons of any kind are banned from the test center. No electronic devices are allowed other than a cellphone, which must be kept powered off in your assigned locker and can't be accessed at any time, including during the 10-minute break.
You can't bring any study aids or other books and notes into the test room. Since cramming up to the very last minute won't do you any good, it's better to just not bring them to the test center with you.
LSAT Test Day: What to Do the Night Before
After all your studying for the LSAT and making sure you fully understand the test center rules and requirements, what should you do when it's the night before the exam? People have different perspectives about this, but we believe it's best to keep things low-key and simple:
- Get a good night's sleep. You want to be well-rested when you take the LSAT, so turn in an hour or two early to make sure you have enough sleep.
- Lay out what you'll need the next day. Prepare your test day essentials so you won't have to stress about getting them together in the morning. It's particularly important to lay out your photo I.D., but you can also prepare things as basic as what you plan to wear.
- Don't try to pack in hours of last-minute studying. Cramming hours before the exam won't improve your score. Believe in all the work and preparation you've done instead. End any study time early, and spend the rest of the day doing something relaxing and enjoyable.
LSAT Test Day: What to Store in Your Locker
When you arrive at the test center, you will be assigned a locker that's located outside of the test room for safe storage of your belongings.
The only things you will be allowed to bring into the test room other than water in a clear container are foam earplugs with no string, and medical, religious, and comfort items like lip balm, and unwrapped cough drops. A complete list of these items can be found through the LSAC and/or Prometric websites.
Keep in mind that the lockers are not very large, so there's limited room for storage. If you don't absolutely need to bring something with you on test day, leave it behind at home or in your car.
LSAT Test Day: The Rules
Beyond LSAC's rules about what you are and aren't allowed to bring to the test center and in the test room, there are other regulations you must follow. Some of the important rules you need to know are listed below:
- Test takers will be provided with three blank scratch paper booklets with two pages each, for a total of six pages, and two pencils. The scratch paper must all be returned to the test administrator at the end of the exam.
- Once you are seated at your test station, the administrator will finish the security check and you will launch the test. The exam will last two hours and 30 minutes.
- Communicating with anyone about exam-related information including exam questions and answer choices during testing, the break, or after the exam is forbidden. You are also banned from reproducing, copying, or removing any part of the test. Violations of these rules are subject to potential consequences.
- You are not permitted to leave your seat while you are taking the exam, except during the 10-minute break. You also may not exit the test center building before you complete the exam, including during your break. You're basically restricted to the testing lobby, where the lockers are located, the closest restroom, and the test room itself.
- A test administrator may dismiss anyone from the test for policy violations, including: giving false information; trying to take the test for another person; not having proper identification; having banned personal aids in your possession; disrupting the exam; not complying with an administrator's instructions; giving or receiving unauthorized assistance; trying to tamper with the computer; and not following other rules, procedures, or policies.
It's important to make sure that you know the test center rules and follow them, so you will have no issues on exam day and can focus on the test.
LSAT Test Day: Violations
While we don't want to devote too much attention to breaking the rules, it may be valuable to know the consequences for doing so. Below are some common LSAT test center violations and their repercussions.
| Policy Violation | Consequences |
| Accessing or using cellphones or other electronic devices |
|
| Accessing study guides |
|
| Storing items improperly |
|
| Any other unauthorized item |
|
LSAT Test Day: Takeaway
It's essential to know LSAC's rules about what you can and can't have with you when you take the LSAT at a test center to ensure you don't encounter any problems on test day. You could potentially be disqualified from taking the exam if you don't carefully abide by the regulations. Prepare ahead of time by making a list of what you'll need and make sure to have it on hand as it gets closer to the day of the test.
Here are a few closing tips for what to do on test day morning, when you'll be taking the LSAT in just a few hours:
- Get out of bed early so you have time to fully wake up and aren't heading to the test center while you're still groggy. You want to be awake and alert when you sit down to take the LSAT, ready to use all you learned during months of study to earn a high score.
- Take time to have breakfast. Even if you usually just gulp down a cup of coffee and have a few bites of toast, it's particularly crucial to have breakfast when you're taking an exam like the LSAT. Choose healthy food with protein to fuel your brain and body for the important test.
- Maintain an optimistic attitude. Thinking negatively can have a detrimental effect on how you do on the test. Expect that you're likely to have trouble with some difficult questions and don't get upset with yourself when it happens. An optimistic outlook boosts confidence, which will help you perform at your absolute best and achieve a high score.