One of my most frequently asked questions is, “When should you take the LSAT?”
If you’re asking the same thing, you’re in the right place!
Today, I’ll help you decide.
Let’s go!
When is LSAT offered?
The LSAT is offered in the spring and fall.
Tests occur in January, February, April, June, August, September, October, and November.
Here are the upcoming 2024 dates:
- April 11th-13th
- June 6th-8th
We won’t know the fall dates until the 2024-2025 cycle is announced later this year.
To give you an idea of the dates, last year’s were:
- August 11th-12th
- September 8th-9th
- October 13th-14th
- November 10th-11th
You can keep an eye out for date announcements on the LSAC website.
With so many dates, when should you take the LSAT? Keep reading to find out!
When should you take the LSAT?
Taking the LSAT is all about timing.
Above all, make sure you take it early enough that your score is ready by the time you apply to law school.
Most schools require LSAT scores by December, so you’d need to take it by November.
But if your top law school has rolling admissions, it’s best to apply early. In that case, aim to take it before September.
It’s also essential to consider your schedule.
Whatever you choose, make sure it allows time to prepare adequately.
When should you take the LSAT for the best results? Read on to find out.
Should you take the LSAT in spring or fall?
When should you take the LSAT, in the spring or fall?
It really depends – both have pros and cons.
Spring tests offer more study time, less competition, and more time for retakes if you’re applying later in the year.
If you’re applying during the 2024-2025 cycle, you’ll have less time to apply to and get into certain schools.
Fall dates allow for summer study, earlier results, and more time for retakes before applications close.
But they also mean less study time, increased competition, and tighter deadlines.
We’ll discuss taking it during or after undergrad in the next section. Keep reading!
Should you take the LSAT in college or after you graduate?
When should you take the LSAT? Before or after you finish college?
It depends on your unique situation, and there’s no right or wrong decision.
Remember that it’s more difficult to get into law school right after college.
In fact, getting some work experience under your belt can sometimes make it easier to get into law school compared to applying directly after college, even if you have a good LSAT score.
Why?
Because having work experience typically means that you have the kind of skills, perspective, and maturity that lends itself to being a successful law school student.
Most students choose to take some time off between college and law school – only one-third of first-year students take the LSAT and enroll straight after graduation.
But if that’s the route you decide to take, that’s fine too. There are actually some advantages to it – like maintaining your momentum if you’re still in a study mindset.
Ultimately, the answer to “When should you take the LSAT?” will come down to your circumstances, career goals, and readiness for law school.
Regardless of when you decide to take it, it’s important to study effectively – and well before the test itself.
I’ll tell you when to start studying next, so keep reading.
When should you start studying for the LSAT?
Before you ask, “When should you take the LSAT?” you should consider when to start studying for it.
It’s best to start preparing at least three to six months before your test date.
Why?
Because studying for the LSAT is an all-consuming process.
It involves reviewing content, tutoring, taking full-length practice tests, and getting familiar with the format.
Taking a more gradual and comprehensive approach will make you a more effective test-taker than cramming at the last minute.
So the earlier you can start studying for it, the better.
When preparing for the LSAT, I always recommend doing a few specific things.
The first is focusing only on studying rather than your potential performance down the line.
The second is imagining yourself taking the test.
When you visualize taking the test from the comfort of your study environment, you’ll be more comfortable when it’s time to take it.
Finally, practice under “real” testing conditions so you’re acclimated to the real thing on test day.
Check out this guide to learn to manage your LSAT anxiety and boost your score.
Is there a limit to how many times you can take the LSAT? You’ll find out in the next section!
How many times can you take the LSAT?
You can take the LSAT a total of seven times, but no more than three exams in a single testing year or five within the past five years.
It’s not a question of how many times you can take the LSAT but if you need to retake it at all.
Consider why your score is lower than you’d hoped – did you study as hard as you could have?
If so, and you scored within three points of your practice test average, that’s likely your limit.
But if you could have studied more effectively, I’d recommend retaking it, even if it delays the application cycle.
Or, if you’re hoping to be accepted by a particular school and aren’t the ideal candidate, it’s best to retake the test until you score higher or reach the test limit.
But if you want to retake it to see if you can score higher, I’d hit the brakes – especially if your score is at or above your dream school’s median.
If you decide to retake the LSAT, I recommend taking it at most three times. I’ll tell you why in this guide.
Next steps
There you have it – the answer to the age-old question, “When should you take the LSAT?”
Remember: you can get into your dream school even with a low LSAT score.
It just means you have to be more strategic, and I’ll show you how.
Read about what it’s like to work with me here.
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