LSAT test dates and deadlines are an essential part of getting into the school you want. As the only admission test accepted by accredited law schools, there’s no way around taking it.
If you want to practice law, this is where you start.
The date you choose to take the test has a huge impact on your study timeline, as well as your law school application timeline and your chances of getting into the best law schools.
With several test dates throughout the year, how do you decide which one is best?
There are a few important factors to consider, including your study schedule, the application window, and whether you want extra time to retake the test and bump up your score.
This article will provide the current LSAT testing schedule, updates about delays due to COVID-19, and all the important info you need to choose your test date.
LSAT Test Dates 2020-2021
Unsurprisingly, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the LSAT schedule.
On May 28, 2020, LSAC announced that this year’s summer LSAT schedule would be changed due to the coronavirus. The in-person June International LSAT and the in-person July LSAT were both canceled.
However, remotely proctored LSAT-Flex is available the week of July 12, 2020 for test takers who were impacted by these changes.
Here are some resources:
- Coronavirus updates from LSAC.
- COVID-19 resources page from LSAC.
Below are the deadlines, test dates, and score release dates for the rest of the current testing year.
Keep in mind, much of this information is to be determined, based on the LSAC’s decisions around the global pandemic. Some aspects of the schedule may still be up in the air right now.
For unknown registration deadlines and score release dates, see the estimated timeline based on last year’s schedule.
| LSAT Test Date | Registration Deadline | LSAT Score Release Date |
| July 13, 2020 | May 28, 2020 | Unknown for 2020: last year was August 21, 2019 |
| August 29, 2020 | Unknown for 2020: last year was August 1, 2019 | Unknown for 2020: last year was October 14, 2019 |
| October 3, 2020 | Unknown for 2020: last year was September 10, 2019 | Unknown for 2020: last year was November 20, 2019 |
| November 14, 2020 | Unknown for 2020: last year was October 15, 2019 | Unknown for 2020 |
| January 16, 2021 | Unknown for 2020 | Unknown for 2020 |
| February 20, 2021 | Unknown for 2020 | Unknown for 2020 |
| April 10, 2021 | Unknown for 2020 | Unknown for 2020 |
Each of the currently scheduled LSAT testing dates for 2020 will begin at 8:30 am. Of these, the dates in August and November will have a disclosed test form.
July LSAT Exam
The July LSAT is the second block to be impacted by the coronavirus. The in-person testing was canceled due to the pandemic.
In its place, the July LSAT-flex occurs the week of July 12, 2020.
Test takers must follow a remote proctoring requirement. The registration deadline and accommodation request deadline was June 1, 2020.
Score release dates may change, but LSAC estimates that they will be emailed by Thursday, July 30, 2020.
Click here for more info about the LSAT-flex in July.
August LSAT Exam
Currently, the August LSAT is scheduled for Saturday, August 29, 2020 at 8:30 am. As of right now, it has not been canceled due to the coronavirus.
However, it will still be important for test takers to monitor the COVID-19 changes as they are published on the LSAC website, should there be any amendments to this schedule.
September LSAT Exam
In 2020, there is no LSAT test scheduled for September.
Due to the way the calendar falls this year, there is availability to test on August 29 or October 3.
The LSAT testing year goes from June 1-May 31. In previous years, the LSAT was only offered four times annually. Now, there are seven times per year when you take the exam.
Typically, the exam is offered in January, March, June, July, September, October and November. This year, a late August date replaces the September exam.
October LSAT Exam
The 2020 October LSAT exam will be offered on Saturday, October 3 at 8:30 am. The registration deadline is Friday, August 21, 2020. That is the same date for the accommodation request deadline.
Here are four other deadlines that may be important for you to know:
- September 4 is the deadline for a test center change ($125)
- September 4 is the deadline for a test date change ($125)
- September 4 is the deadline for a registration refund ($50)
- October 2 is the deadline for a registration withdrawal
As yet, LSAC has not released an estimated score release date for the October LSAT.
Check the LSAC website for more info on the October LSAT.
November LSAT Exam
The 2020 November LSAT exam will be offered on Saturday, November 14, 2020.
The registration deadline and accommodation request deadline is Wednesday, September 30, 2020.
Alternatively, paper LSAT tests are available for Saturday Sabbath observers.
Here are the other deadlines you need to be aware of:
- October 14 is the deadline for a test center change ($125)
- October 14 is the deadline for a test date change ($125)
- October 14 is the deadline for a registration refund ($50)
- November 13 is the deadline for a registration withdrawal
LSAC has not published any score release dates yet for the November LSAT.
Check the LSAC website for more info on the November LSAT.
How to Choose an LSAT Date
When should you take the LSAT?
Your law school admission is on the line. It’s important that you make this decision with a few factors in mind:
- Only take the test when you are truly ready
- Time your study and preparedness to an available testing dates
- Time your score release with your desired LSAT admission window
- Do you want time to rewrite the LSAT, in case your score is less than desired?
Before you choose a date, make sure you will have enough time to prepare. Look into recommended study schedules and LSAT prep courses to find out how much time you’ll need to allocate.
Once you have a timeline for your test, set aside time each day and follow these LSAT tips to make sure you stay on track.
Law school admission deadlines vary depending on where you apply, but applications generally open between late August and early October. While deadlines to apply can run into spring of the following year, almost all US law schools use a rolling admissions process.
With rolling admissions, law schools begin making admissions decisions as soon as applications start coming in. The earlier you apply, the more spaces are available, and the better your chances of receiving that acceptance letter.
If you want to submit a law school application early in the fall, you need to be sure that your score will be ready. Writing the LSAT during summer will ensure you have test results near the opening of the application window.
One factor that many applicants fail to consider is the possibility of a low score. If you have to retake the LSAT to improve your score, your whole timeline will be thrown off.
Some applicants choose to write the LSAT earlier in the year, which allows time for a do-over without having to wait another year to apply.
Keep in mind that it’s not uncommon for this to happen. Rewriting the test may be one of the costs of the LSAT to factor into your budget.
Using an LSAT study review that provides proctored tests will give you the best understanding of how ready you are and what your score could be. Using this knowledge will help you pick the right LSAT date.
How to Register for the LSAT
You can register for the LSAT in two ways.
- By phone: (215) 968-1001
- The open hours of this phone line are weekdays during business hours in eastern time.
- Online at LSAC.org
LSAC has a helpful online page with directions for how to register and answers to more questions. Go here to access it.
LSAT Exam Test Locations
There are several options for LSAT exam test locations.
In every state, there are published centers where the testing is held.
Keep in mind that not every center will host the test for every available date, so you will need to use the LSAC website for the most up-to-date information.
When you register for the LSAT, you will have to select an exam location. For the most part, these proctored exams will be hosted at an institute of higher learning, like a university or a college.
Where you take the exam is important. If you have to travel, that should be included as part of your test prep plans and budget.
Can You Change Your LSAT Date or LSAT Test Center?
For each LSAT test registration, you have the option to change your LSAT date or LSAT test center, if you do it in time. For every test date, there is a deadline for changing your plans.
- LSAT Test Date Changes: You can make these change requests through your online LSAC account. If the test date change deadline has passed, you can withdraw from that test. There will probably be a fee of $125 for changing your LSAT test date.
- LSAT Test Center Changes: If the deadline has not passed and if there is room in your desired test center, you can make the switch. There will probably be a fee of $125 for changing your LSAT test center.
LSAT Test Dates and Scheduling
Taking the LSAT at the right time is crucial for success. Even though there have been global disruptions at testing centers due to COVID-19, LSAC is moving back towards a normal schedule.
If you pay attention and stick to relevant deadlines, you shouldn’t have a problem picking your test center and scheduling your LSAT.
The most important component of this whole process is to study well. Use an LSAT review program that is going to guide you through the exercises to develop the skills you need to succeed.
Check out and compare the most popular LSAT courses here, to find out which one is the best fit for you.
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