What is the LSAT?  The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardized exam administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and is a crucial component of the law school admissions process. This rigorous test assesses an applicant’s critical thinking, analytical reasoning, logical reasoning, and reading comprehension skills, all essential for law school success. Aspiring law students must understand the intricacies of the LSAT and its test dates to effectively plan and navigate their journey toward admission to a law school.

With increasing applicants vying for limited spots in prestigious law schools, selecting the ideal LSAT test date is imperative. Additionally, the LSAT test dates are pivotal in determining an applicant’s application timeline, preparation duration, ability to retake the exam if needed, and ultimately their chances of securing admission into their desired law school.

Providing a Comprehensive Guide to LSAT Test Dates

This article is a comprehensive guide that navigates aspiring law students through the intricacies of LSAT test dates. Above all, this guide seeks to empower readers with detailed knowledge about LSAT test dates to aid in developing well-informed strategies for their law school applications.

It is essential to approach the LSAT strategically, recognizing the significance of timing and utilizing available resources effectively. With this comprehensive guide to LSAT test dates, prospective law school applicants can confidently navigate their journey toward achieving their academic aspirations.

The Importance of Understanding LSAT Test Dates

Prospective law school applicants must recognize that each LSAT administration has unique characteristics and implications. As a result, familiarizing oneself with these nuances empowers individuals to make informed decisions that align with their personal circumstances and goals. Additionally, understanding LSAT test dates allows applicants to optimize their study schedules, leverage their strengths while minimizing weaknesses, facilitate efficient registration processes, and create realistic application submission timelines.

Moreover, being aware of upcoming LSAT test dates lets prospective candidates strategically plan for retakes if necessary. In case initial attempts fall short of target scores or circumstances that prevent optimal performance on a particular date—such as illness or unforeseen emergencies—a well-thought-out understanding of subsequent test dates can provide opportunities for improvement without jeopardizing application timelines.

Student smiling while looking for LSAT test dates.

Upcoming LSAT Test Dates 2025 – 2026

When should you take the LSAT?

The Law School Admission Test, or LSAT, is administered multiple times yearly at designated test centers across the United States and various international locations. Knowing the test dates is essential to plan your LSAT preparation effectively and ensure you have enough time to study and review.

Here are the LSAT Registration Deadline and LSAT Score Release Date  for 2025 – 2026:

Administration

Primary
Test Dates

LSAT Argumentative
Writing Opens

Registration Deadline

Scheduling
Opens

Score Release

January 2025 1/15/2025
1/16/2025
1/17/2025
1/18/2025
1/7/2025 12/3/2024 12/17/2024 2/5/2025
February 2025 2/7/2025
2/8/2025
1/30/2025 12/24/2024 1/21/2025 2/26/2025
February 2025: LSAT—Puerto Rico 2/21/2025
2/22/2025
2/13/2025 1/7/2025 2/4/2025 3/12/2025
April 2025 4/10/2025
4/11/2025
4/12/2025
4/2/2025 2/27/2025 3/25/2025 4/30/2025
June 2025 6/4/2025
6/5/2025
6/6/2025
6/7/2025
5/27/2025 4/22/2025 5/13/2025 6/25/2025

2025-2026 LSAT Testing Year

LSAC is finalizing details for the 2025-2026 testing cycle. Below you will find the LSAT test dates for the 2025-2026 testing year.

Registration for these administrations will open in mid-May. At that time, we will also provide updated information, including registration deadlines.

August 2025 – LSAT

Primary test dates:
Wednesday, August 6
Thursday, August 7
Friday, August 8
Saturday, August 9

Score Release:
Wednesday, August 27

Region:
United States (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and Canada

September 2025 – LSAT

Primary test dates:
Wednesday, September 3
Thursday, September 4
Friday, September 5
Saturday, September 6

Score Release:
Wednesday, September 24

Region:
United States (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and Canada

October 2025 – LSAT

Primary test dates:
Friday, October 3
Saturday, October 4
Monday, October 6
Tuesday, October 7

Score Release:
Friday, October 24

Region:
All testing regions

November 2025 – LSAT

Primary test dates:
Wednesday, November 5
Thursday, November 6
Friday, November 7
Saturday, November 8

Score Release:
Wednesday, November 26

Region:
United States (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and Canada

January 2026 – LSAT

Primary test dates:
Wednesday, January 7
Thursday, January 8
Friday, January 9
Saturday, January 10

Score Release:
Wednesday, January 28

Region:
All testing regions

February 2026 – LSAT

Primary test dates:
Friday, February 6
Saturday, February 7

Score Release:
Wednesday, February 25

Region:
United States (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and Canada

February 2026 – LSAT—Puerto Rico

Primary test dates:
Friday, February 20
Saturday, February 21

Score Release:
Wednesday, March 11

Region:
Puerto Rico

April 2026 – LSAT

Primary test dates:
Thursday, April 9
Friday, April 10
Saturday, April 11

Score Release:
Wednesday, April 29

Region:
All testing regions

June 2026 – LSAT

Primary test dates:
Wednesday, June 3
Thursday, June 4
Friday, June 5
Saturday, June 6

Score Release:
Wednesday, June 24

Region:
All testing regions

Benefits of Regular Test Dates for Planning and Preparation

Having multiple regular LSAT test dates provides several benefits for aspiring law students. Firstly, it allows individuals more flexibility in choosing when they feel most prepared to tackle the exam confidently.

By eliminating scheduling constraints associated with a single annual testing opportunity, applicants can better align their study plans with personal commitments or other academic responsibilities. Additionally, these regularly scheduled tests enable candidates to build contingencies into their application strategies—should they be dissatisfied with their initial performance or encounter unexpected circumstances on any given attempt.

Choosing Your Ideal LSAT Test Center and Formats

The LSAT is primarily administered in two formats: the traditional paper-and-pencil format and the digital LSAT (LSAT-Flex). The availability of these formats may vary depending on factors such as testing center capacity, regional regulations, or exceptional circumstances like a global pandemic. While the paper-and-pencil format continues to be widely used, LSAC has increasingly introduced digital options to meet evolving demands.

Moreover, LSAT test locations vary based on student demand and geographic accessibility. Test centers are typically located in major cities across different regions to ensure accessibility for a wide range of test-takers.

However, prospective applicants must plan accordingly, as test centers may only be available in some areas or have limited capacity during particular administrations. Understanding the high-level overview of LSAT exam dates for 2023-2024 lays a solid foundation for prospective law school applicants.

From eagerly awaiting the announcement and release date of the official schedule to considering variations in testing formats and locations, aspiring students must carefully plan their path toward successful LSAT performance. This overview provides valuable insights into these crucial aspects, allowing individuals to navigate their LSAT journey with confidence and strategic precision.

How Should I Register for the LSAT?

You can choose from these three ways to register for the LSAT:

1. Registering Online

The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) facilitates LSAT registration primarily through your LSAC.org account. This online portal offers features such as early email score delivery, access to the Credential Assembly Service (CAS), the ability to purchase LSAC publications and test preparation resources, and electronic applications for all ABA-approved law schools. The registration fee for the LSAT is $238 for the August 2024–June 2025 testing year.

Key Documents

On test day, you must present a valid ID and a printed admission ticket, which is accessible through your LSAC account. Ensure that your first and last names on both the ID and admission ticket match exactly.

2. Registering Over the Phone

If you prefer not to register online, LSAC offers registration via phone at 215-968-1001. Their hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM EST from September to March, and 8:30 AM to 4:45 PM EST from April to August.

3. Registering Via Mail

While online registration is the most efficient method, you can also register by mail. To do so, contact LSAC at 215-968-1001 to request a paper registration packet. Alternatively, you can fill out an email form on their website to receive the packet.

Additional Considerations

  • Test Date Changes: If you need to reschedule your LSAT, be aware that fees and deadlines apply. For example, for the April 2025 LSAT, changing your test date after the registration deadline of February 27, 2025, incurs a $145 fee until March 6, 2025, and a $238 fee from March 7 through April 9, 2025.

  • Testing Options: LSAC offers both in-person and remote testing options. The registration fee remains the same regardless of the chosen format.

For the most current information and updates, please visit LSAC‘s official website.

Student reading LSAT Prep Book.

Getting Ready for the LSAT: What You Should Consider

Here are some factors to consider as you prepare for the LSAT. This exam is critical to the law school admissions process, and all aspiring law students must study thoroughly.

Understanding the LSAT Score Range: Your Guide to Success

LSAT scores range from 120 to 180, and knowing this is crucial for developing a strategy for law school applications based on your target score. The average score hovers around 150, but for top-tier law schools, you may aim for 160 or above. Understanding this range will help you plan your LSAT study timeline and set achievable performance goals.

Making Sense of LSAT Percentiles and Scores

When you get your results, they are presented in the LSAT percentiles. This indicates that if you score in the 80th percentile, you’ve outscored 80% of other test-takers. Checking out the average LSAT scores and percentiles of the law schools you’re considering can give you a reasonable estimate of how high to aim in your prep efforts.

Understanding the LSAT Sections

Logical Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Writing Sample are the four LSAT sections that make up the exam. You may develop a successful study plan that concentrates on your weak areas with an understanding of the content and organization of these parts. Understanding the significance of each segment will help you effectively manage your time and resources during preparation, boosting your confidence and reducing your anxiety on test day.

Evaluating Law School Requirements

Before taking the LSAT, you should be familiar with the precise requirements of the law schools you intend to apply to. Knowing what is anticipated regarding GPA, personal statements, reference letters, and extracurricular activities is essential because criteria might change. Knowing these law school requirements in detail will enable you to ascertain your eligibility and take action to improve your application.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to look into the standing and areas of study of the potential law schools. This knowledge will aid in selecting which colleges best suit your job goals and aspirations.

Start Your LSAT Preparation with Odyssey Test Prep

Starting your LSAT preparation journey can feel daunting, but you’re not alone. Our LSAT Prep Course material has been carefully created to guarantee your success on the LSAT test. We break down the exam into smaller, easier-to-handle parts so you may concentrate on each separately and improve your chances of getting your top LSAT score.

Our dedicated team of LSAT tutors is at the heart of Odyssey Test Prep. They apply their vast expertise and experience to every tutoring session to make the LSAT less frightening and more approachable. When you select Odyssey as your LSAT prep provider, you acquire the skills and information required to excel on the LSAT and beyond.

Conclusion

Understanding LSAT test dates is crucial for prospective law school applicants as it directly impacts their application timeline and preparation strategies. It is best to talk to an LSAT strategist about your LSAT test dates to guide you in developing a well-rounded study plan tailored to your strengths and weaknesses.

To wrap things up, remember that preparation is the key to conquering the LSAT. Make the smart move today and enroll in an LSAT Prep Course to provide you with that structured learning environment and resources you need to excel. Consider this step part of your journey to help you navigate your path to law school more effectively.