Taking the LSAT
The LSAT is offered four times a year: February, June, late September or early October, and December. The June exam is given on a Monday afternoon, while the others are administered on Saturday mornings (with options available for Saturday Sabbath observers). While law schools hope that candidates will take the LSAT by the December administration for admission the following fall, it is often better for the applicant to take it much earlier. Taking the LSAT in June or September, the year before desired matriculation usually allows an applicant time for preparation without too many distractions. In addition, they will receive their score in July or October allowing them to narrow their list of schools based on numerical criteria that much earlier.
For some applicants, however, it is impossible to take the LSAT in June or September. Some will have employment demands, be taking summer classes that interfere, or will just be returning from study abroad. For these candidates, one of the other administrations will be preferable. December is also acceptable, but February is often too late for most competitive law schools.
The LSAC also makes accomodations for those with proven disabilities.Contact LSAC directly for information on taking the test with accomodations.
Test Preparation
The LSAT is not an achievement test that measures knowledge acquired in course work. It attempts to measure academic and thinking skills including analytical and quantitative reasoning.Consequently, many students believe that it is in their interest to become more familiar with the test format and the types of skills it attempts to measure. There are two ways to do this and both are effective. LSDAS and major publishing companies produce books that include old exams and tips on how to answer the questions. They also provide exercises to improve your ability to do the problems on the LSAT. If you are disciplined and do the exercises and tests included in these books you will likely be as prepared for the exam as those who pay for expensive tutoring or preparation courses. However, if you are someone who requires more structure and discipline and will not self teach yourself these skills, you most likely will benefit from taking these courses.
Some students also wonder if they should take the test twice if the score is lower than they expected. Many Law Schools average the scores if you take it twice so the advantage of a higher score is half as great as it could be. Some schools will accept the higher score and use it for admissions decisions, usually the more competitive law schools do average. Also be aware that many students will get a lower score so there is risk in taking it again. The best advice is to prepare as best you can and then apply to schools with at least a 25% chance of getting in with that score.Of course you should also apply to schools where your chances are much greater (see Getting IN).
Test Dates