Law School Application Help When to Take the LSAT

If you are planning to apply for law school this year, it is a good idea to figure out when you are going to take the LSAT test now so that you can plan accordingly. ; The LSAT test is given four times a year: February, June, October, and December. The February test date for 2013 has already passed, so if you are applying for law school admission in Fall 2014, you need to take the June, October, or December LSAT test. Some schools will accept the February 2014 test, but not all – and even for those that do, it may delay your application longer than ideal for rolling admissions. See my earlier post on five common law school application mistakes. So how do you decide when to take the LSAT? Here are the dates for 2013: Monday, June 10, 2013 Saturday, October 5, 2013Monday, October 7, 2013 (Saturday Sabbath Observers) Saturday, December 7, 2013†¨ Monday, December 9, 2013 (Saturday Sabbath Observers) You’ll notice that that the test is usually given on a Saturday, except for June, which is given on Monday, and that they have an alternate date for those who observe the Sabbath on Saturdays. Registration is usually about one month before, but you should check the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website for exact dates. My advice as an LSAT tutor is that you take the LSAT test at the earliest administration for which you are able to adequately prepare. The advantage of taking the LSAT test in June is that you are able to get it out of the way, leaving you all summer to work on your personal statement. Since law school admissions are rolling, you are at an advantage if you get your law school application in during the beginning of the season – early September if possible. Taking the LSAT in June also allows you to retake it in October if you need to, rather than waiting all the way until December. That being said, if there is a reason you will not be able to adequately study for the LSAT test before June (for example, you’re in your senior year and you’re graduating right around then), you should wait until October. It is crucial that you adequately prepare so you can maximize your LSAT test score. Make a study plan and consider hiring an LSAT tutor. Most importantly, practice, practice, practice!