Did you know that for the 2023-2024 year, 107,260 people took the LSAT 155,070 times?
Here’s another fun fact: the most popular test date is June—and no, that’s not the answer to when you should take the LSAT, that just seems to be a preference.
So, when should you take the LSAT, and how do you get ready for it? Grab a coffee or an energy drink, and I’ll walk you through all you need to know about the LSAT timelines, key deadlines, and some insider tips that might save you from a caffeine-fueled panic attack on test day.
Key Takeaways
- Prime Timing: Most students take the LSAT in their junior year of college, depending on their law school application schedule.
- Admission Requirement: Law school applications almost always require an official LSAT score for acceptance.
- Flexible Schedule: The law school admission test is offered multiple times each year, with the June test date being super popular among LSAT takers.
- Prep Makes Perfect: Focused LSAT preparation, including taking practice tests and reviewing sample tests, can boost your performance on test day.
- Numbers Matter: Both your undergraduate grade point average and LSAT score play a huge role in law school admissions decisions.
When Do You Take the LSAT? Timing Your Test for Success
For some, deciding when to take the LSAT can be a big deal, maybe even as big as trying to figure out how to decode those analytical reasoning questions. Most students take the LSAT in the spring or summer of their junior year, or the fall of their senior year in college.
Why? Because it allows you to get your scores back and submit your law school applications early. Not that this is one of those early bird catches the worm things, but in this case, early is probably better than last-minute. ls
If you want to go straight from college to law school without taking a year off, you’ll want to take the LSAT about a year before you plan to enroll. For example, if you plan to start law school in fall 2027, it might be a good idea for you to target a test date in June, August, or September of 2026. This gives you enough time to review your score, retake the test if you need to, and complete your applications by the deadlines.
But it’s all up to your schedule. Some people like to wait until their senior year, and that’s fine, but keep in mind that waiting too long may just create extra stress on you during your final semesters, especially when juggling exams, finals, and whatever you have planned for your graduation.
Understanding LSAT Test Dates and Schedule
The LSAT is administered several times a year. The most popular test dates include:
- June test: This is a great time for students who want to finish before senior year.
- August/September tests: Both are good options for anyone who needs the summer to prep.
- October/November: If you need more time to prepare, then the fall might be your best bet.
- January and April: This is perfect timing for retakes or late planners, but you should double-check school deadlines to make sure your LSAT score will arrive on time.
Make sure you check the LSAC (Law School Admission Council) website for current test dates and deadlines. Test centers can fill up fast, especially for June and September exams, so it pays to schedule in advance. If you want in-person, you don’t want to be limited to something at least two states away!
LSAT Preparation: How and When Should You Start?
You really can’t cram for the LSAT like you did for your high school history final. LSAT preparation needs a lot of practice, especially since the test includes some skills that may need you to rewire your brain a bit. Both the logical reasoning and reading comprehension sections are designed to test your analytical skills, and those are things you’ll build over time, not overnight.
Most experts recommend spending at least 2 to 3 months preparing, but some LSAT takers take up to six months reviewing sample questions and practice tests. Here’s what a good prep plan might look like:
- Begin prepping in your junior year so you’re ready for the June test or later.
- Use LSAT sample quizzes to familiarize yourself with the multiple-choice test format.
- Time yourself on practice tests to get comfortable with the pace of the LSAT.
- Review your incorrect answers, and focus on figuring out why you missed each LSAT question you got wrong.
If you need more time, starting in the fall of even the summer before junior year isn’t a bad idea. The key is to pace yourself and not burn out. Yes, you can still have a life while studying for the LSAT, just maybe not the week before your test date.
Why Taking the LSAT Later Can Hurt Your Chances
The LSAT itself doesn’t get harder as the year goes on, but the timing of your score release can make a big difference in admissions. Most law schools follow a rolling admissions process, which means they review applications as they arrive rather than waiting for a single deadline. Seats and scholarships start getting awarded early, so the later your application is complete, the fewer spots and funding opportunities remain.
As one LSAT taker put it: “You won’t have your score until later in the cycle, and thus will have complete applications later. Later applications are worse, and thus it’s better not to wait on your LSAT.”
For example, if you test in June, August, or September, you’ll likely have your score in hand while admissions offices are just opening their application cycles. That gives you a competitive edge. On the other hand, if you wait until November or January, your application may not be reviewed until months later, when schools have already filled many seats and awarded much of their scholarship money.
That doesn’t mean a late score won’t count—law schools accept LSAT scores from all test dates, and scores remain valid for five years. But if you’re planning to apply in the same cycle, earlier testing usually means stronger odds for both admission and financial aid.
How LSAT Scores and Your GPA Affect Law School Applications
Here’s the part where things get real: law schools naturally care a lot about your LSAT score/percentile and your undergraduate grade point average. Those two numbers are usually the first things schools review when deciding who to admit. That means planning your test date around when you’ll have a strong GPA and enough time to prepare for your test is a smart move.
Your LSAT score is valid for five years, so if you’re a planner or you just really want to get it over with, you can take the LSAT earlier in college. Just remember, if you do retake the test, most schools will review your highest score, but there’s a good chance they’ll still see all your test results. Frankly, if you’ve improved each time you took it, I don’t think that’s a bad thing, but you might want to check each school’s admissions policies before you decide.
Final Thoughts
If law school is your dream, the LSAT is your ticket in, but deciding when to take the LSAT is almost as important as how you prepare. Start thinking about your test date in your junior year, and give yourself plenty of time for LSAT prep and applications. A little planning now can save you a whole lot of stress later.
Check out the Charlotte Observer’s LSAT prep course guide to see which is the best for you.
FAQs
Most students take the LSAT during their junior or senior year of college, before law school applications are due.
You can take the LSAT anytime after 18, but most test takers are between 20 and 22 when applying to law school.
LSAT requirements are simple. You must be at least 18 years of age (with some exceptions), register, pay the fee, and have a valid ID.
Yes, the LSAT is open to anyone interested in law school, though you’ll need to register and pay a fee.
Most students spend about 2–3 months preparing, but some prefer more time to review and practice before test day.
