Your Future Attorney
When should you take the LSAT?
The honest answer is not a fixed month. You take the LSAT when your practice scores have arrived and early enough to apply on time, with room to retake.
People want a month. The real answer is two conditions: your practice scores are where you want them, and you are early enough to apply on time with a retake in reserve. Here is how to find your date.
Let your scores pick the date
Register based on when your practice-test average reaches your target, not the other way around. Picking a date first and hoping to be ready is how people sit the test underprepared. The LSAT runs many times a year, so there is almost always a good slot once you are ready.
Work backward from your deadlines
Law school admissions are mostly rolling, which means applying early is a real advantage. Aim to have your LSAT score in hand before applications open in the fall, ideally by late summer. That usually means testing in the spring or summer of the year you apply.
Leave room to retake
Plan as if you might retake, because many people do. Testing earlier gives you a second attempt before deadlines without panic. A score you can improve is far more useful than a deadline you barely made.
Do not rush a bad date
If your scores are not there, push the date. It is almost always better to apply a cycle later with a strong score than on time with a weak one. For a timeline built around your diagnostic, book a free consultation or read how long to study for the LSAT.
Quick answers
How early should I take the LSAT before applying?
Aim to have your score before applications open in the fall, ideally by late summer, so you can apply early in the rolling cycle and still have room to retake.
How many times a year is the LSAT offered?
The LSAT is administered many times throughout the year, so you can usually find a suitable date once your practice scores are ready.
Should I take the LSAT if I am not scoring at my target?
Usually no. It is generally better to push your test date than to sit it underprepared, since most schools focus on your highest score.