LSAT test dates are available each month of the year. For 2020-2021, there will be some big changes and important considerations. Even if the unique circumstances of 2020 have disrupted some of your educational endeavors, they shouldn’t upset your LSAT plans.
The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) is offering a lot of new options and flexible paths for you to stay on course with your law school application timeline.
Here’s what you’ll need to know about LSAT dates, the LSAT schedule, and LSAT test locations.
This post has been updated and republished as of November 10, 2020.
LSAT-Flex
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, special accommodations are being made for 2020 LSAT test dates. LSAT-Flex is the solution provided by LSAC for people whose plans were changed due to COVID-19 test center closures.
LSAT-Flex is a three-part online test that includes the three scored sections of the LSAT. These are logical reasoning, analytical reasoning (logic games), and comprehension. LSAT Writing is done separately, at a time of your choosing. It covers the writing sample portion of the LSAT.
LSAT-Flex gives students the opportunity to take the LSAT remotely. It is proctored by virtual providers and was first offered in May 2020.
Between May and October of 2020, almost 80,000 students completed the LSAT using this resource. LSAC is continuing to offer LSAT-Flex through 2021.
Currently, they are providing LSAT-Flex test dates through April of 2021. Registration is still open for January through April 2021 test dates.
To take the LSAT-Flex, you will need a Windows or Mac computer and use a tool called ProctorU. It’s also important that you have a stable, high-speed internet connection as well as an enabled webcam for remote proctors.
LSAT Schedule: 2020 & 2021
Even though the LSAT schedule has changed due to COVID-19, there are plenty of options to stay on track with your intended timeline.
| LSAT TESTING DATES | REGISTRATION DEADLINE | SCORE RELEASE DATE |
|---|---|---|
| November LSAT-Flex November 7, 8, 10, 11 with some later week dates available for specific locations. | 9 days before the first testing day | Tuesday, November 24 |
| January LSAT-Flex January 16 and 17 with some later week dates available for specific locations. | 10 days before the first testing day | Wednesday, February 3 |
| February LSAT-Flex February 20 and 21 with some later week dates available for specific locations. | 10 days before the first testing day | Wednesday, March 10 |
| April LSAT-Flex April 10 and 11 with some later week dates available for specific locations. | 10 days before the first testing day | Wednesday, April 28 |
LSAC has not yet published details about in-person LSAT test scheduling for the remainder of 2020 or 2021.
Even with open availability and online options, it’s important to choose the best LSAT date and set your LSAT study schedule plan accordingly.
LSAT Test Locations
When it is taken in person, the LSAT is only taken at an LSAC approved location. On the LSAC website, users can perform an LSAT test center search that provides location information. By searching, you can find out if the LSAT will be offered in-person near you.
Whether they are available in a physical location or only online, the LSAT usually begins at 8:30 am and takes three and a half hours.
How to Sign Up for the LSAT
If you are ready to schedule the LSAT, you first need to know the registration deadlines for your desired test date. If you are taking the LSAT-Flex, you can do this as close as 10 days before the test date. Here are the ways you can sign up for the LSAT:
- Call LSAC and sign up for the LSAT by phone: (215) 968-1001. This phone registration is available on weekdays during business hours (ET).
- To register for the LSAT online, you will need an LSAC account. Once you have one, you can sign into your LSAC account and then submit your LSAT registration.
When Should You Take the LSAT?
Your ability to get into law school is on the line. It’s important that you decide the best time to take the LSAT with a few factors in mind:
- Only take the test when you are truly ready
- Time your study and preparedness to an available testing date
- Time your score release with your desired LSAT admission window
- Do you want time to rewrite the LSAT, in case you need to improve your score?
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.
Knowing what school you want to go to will also help you reverse engineer a strategy to get the score you need. Research your top choice law schools to find out the average LSAT scores for their incoming students, and the dates of application windows.
Once you know what law schools you want to apply to, and what score you need to get, you’ll better understand how long to study for the LSAT. An LSAT review course is your best bet to grow in the right skills.
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.
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.
Remember that the LSAT isn’t ultimately a test about concepts. This means you can’t really “cram” or just memorize a lot of information. Instead, you’ll have to really practice the skills that are going to be put to the test.
Choosing the best LSAT review course is the best way to hone these skills perfectly so that you can perform your best on test day.
All that said, there will be a few days each month when you can take the LSAT, whenever you are ready. You should be aware of the registration deadlines and location (either in-person or online) where you schedule the LSAT.
When is the Next LSAT?
The LSAT is available every month of the year. From May 2020 through the end of the year, LSAT-Flex offers monthly, virtually proctored LSATs.
Starting in January, some in-person test centers may open, but LSAC has not made an official statement about that yet. If you are trying to finalize your plans, your best bet is to create an LSAC account, so you can get inside information and updates on the schedule.
FAQs
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about taking the LSAT in 2020-2021.
How Much Does it Cost to Take the LSAT?
The LSAT is your entry point into law school. The test itself costs $200 for registration. You will also need to buy a subscription with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) through the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC). This costs $195 (for two submissions) and is how your LSAT test score is sent to the law schools to which you are applying. You will also need to pay $45 for a Law School Report, one for each school.
The bigger cost of the LSAT is usually in test prep materials. Some of the best LSAT test prep companies provide comprehensive courses that will prepare you for the exam. These are worth it for most students and can run from $800-$2,500 or more.
Where to Take the LSAT
The LSAT is offered in specific testing locations throughout the United States. For 2020-2021, LSAC has provided a remote option called LSAT-Flex to accommodate social distancing and restrictions mandated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. LSAT-Flex is offered monthly and provides virtual proctoring for students who want to take the exam remotely.
How Often is the LSAT Offered?
The LSAT is offered once a month, with registration deadlines 10 days prior to the testing date. Once registered, you will take the LSAT on your assigned test date, usually starting at 8:30 am. The test takes three and a half hours. Regardless of the date on which you took your test, you will receive your LSAT score along with everyone else who took it in the same month, usually within the first week of the following month.
How Long Does it Take to Get LSAT Scores Back?
LSAT score delivery is estimated by LSAC and usually listed next to your test date. LSAC estimates that you will receive your LSAT score within 3-4 weeks of your test date. You will receive your LSAT test date by email. If you’ve already arranged for your Credential Assembly Service (CAS), this score will be submitted with your other relevant academic records and recommendations to the law schools of your choice.
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