What are the LSAT test dates for 2026?

The LSAT test dates for 2026 are: January 7-10, 2026; February 6-7, 2026; April 9-11, 2026; and June 3-6, 2026. Each test administration spans multiple days to accommodate different testing preferences and locations.

How much does the LSAT cost in 2026?

The standard LSAT registration fee is $248. Additional fees may apply for late registration, test date changes, or optional services. Fee waivers are available for eligible candidates experiencing financial hardship.

When will LSAT scores be released for 2026 tests?

Score release dates for 2026 are: January 28, 2026 (January test), February 25, 2026 (February test), April 29, 2026 (April test), and June 24, 2026 (June test). Scores are typically released about 3 weeks after the test date.

How long should I study for the LSAT?

Most successful test-takers prepare for 3-6 months before their LSAT exam. This allows adequate time to master logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, and reading comprehension skills. Your preparation timeline should account for your target score and current skill level.

Which LSAT date should I choose for law school applications?

If you're applying for fall 2027 law school admission, aim to take the LSAT between June and October 2026. For fall 2026 admission, take the test between January and April 2026. Earlier test dates give you more time for retakes if needed and earlier application submission.

Can I change my LSAT test date after registering?

Yes, you can change your LSAT test date, but fees apply. Test date changes must be made before specific deadlines and typically cost $222. Refunds of $50 are available if you withdraw before the registration deadline. Always check LSAC's current policies for the most accurate information.

LSAT Test Dates 2026: Complete Schedule & Registration Guide

Everything You Need to Know About LSAT Exam Dates, Deadlines, and Preparation

Planning to take the LSAT in 2026? This comprehensive guide covers all upcoming test dates, registration deadlines, score release schedules, and strategic preparation tips to help you achieve your law school dreams. Whether you're targeting January or June, understanding the LSAT timeline is crucial for success.

What is the LSAT?

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardized test administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) that serves as a critical component of law school applications across the United States, Canada, and several other countries. The exam is specifically designed to assess the reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and analytical reasoning skills that are essential for success in law school and legal practice.

The LSAT consists of multiple-choice sections testing your ability to analyze complex texts, identify logical flaws, and solve analytical puzzles under timed conditions. Additionally, test-takers complete an unscored writing sample that law schools receive along with your LSAT score. Most law schools place significant weight on LSAT scores during the admissions process, making strong performance crucial for acceptance into competitive programs.

Complete LSAT Test Dates Schedule 2026

The LSAC offers four LSAT administrations in 2026, providing flexibility for test-takers to choose dates that align with their preparation timeline and law school application deadlines. Each test date spans multiple days to accommodate various testing preferences and locations.

Test Date	Registration Deadline	Score Release Date	Test Format
January 7-10, 2026	November 28, 2025	January 28, 2026	In-person & Remote
February 6-7, 2026	December 23, 2025	February 25, 2026	In-person & Remote
April 9-11, 2026	February 26, 2026	April 29, 2026	In-person & Remote
June 3-6, 2026	April 21, 2026	June 24, 2026	In-person & Remote

Important Note: All dates and deadlines are subject to change by LSAC. Always verify current information at LSAC.org before finalizing your registration and preparation plans.

Understanding LSAT Registration Deadlines

Registration timing is critical for LSAT success. The LSAC opens registration several months before each test date, and spots fill quickly, especially for popular testing locations and remote testing slots. Early registration not only secures your preferred test date but also provides psychological benefits by committing to your preparation timeline.

Key Registration Milestones

✓ Registration Opens: Typically 2-3 months before the test date
✓ Regular Deadline: Approximately 5-6 weeks before the test
✓ Scheduling Opens: About 3 weeks before the test via Prometric
✓ Test Center Scheduling Closes: Approximately 1 week before the test
✓ Remote Testing Scheduling Closes: A few days before the test date

Understanding these deadlines helps you plan strategically. If you need to change your test date, fees typically apply. Test date changes cost approximately $222, while withdrawals before the registration deadline may qualify for a partial refund of $50. However, these fees and policies can change, so always consult LSAC's official website for current information.

How to Register for the LSAT 2026

The LSAT registration process is straightforward but requires careful attention to detail. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth registration experience and avoid common pitfalls that can delay your testing plans.

Create LSAC Account

Visit LSAC.org and create your account with accurate personal information. This account serves as your central hub for all LSAT and law school application activities.

Select Test Date

Choose your preferred LSAT date from the 2026 schedule based on your preparation timeline and law school application deadlines. Earlier dates provide more retake opportunities.

Complete Registration

Fill out the registration form with your personal details, academic history, and any accommodation requests. Double-check all information for accuracy before submission.

Upload Documents

Submit a valid government-issued photo ID and a recent digital photo that meets LSAT specifications. Ensure documents are clear and properly formatted.

Pay Registration Fee

Complete payment of the $248 registration fee using a major credit card. Check eligibility for LSAC fee waivers if experiencing financial hardship.

Schedule Your Test

After approval, schedule your specific test time through Prometric. Choose between in-person testing at a center or remote online proctored testing from home.

Pro Tip: Register as early as possible to secure your preferred test date and location. Early registration also gives you a concrete deadline to work toward during your preparation, helping maintain motivation and structure.

LSAT Exam Format and Sections

Understanding the LSAT format is essential for effective preparation. The exam consists of multiple timed sections designed to assess the critical thinking and analytical skills necessary for law school success. Each section requires different strategies and preparation approaches.

Logical Reasoning

Questions: Two sections with 24-26 questions each

Time: 35 minutes per section

Tests your ability to analyze, critically evaluate, and complete arguments. You'll identify assumptions, strengthen or weaken arguments, and recognize logical flaws.

Reading Comprehension

Questions: 26-28 questions

Time: 35 minutes

Evaluates your ability to read and comprehend complex passages from various disciplines including law, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences with deep understanding.

Analytical Reasoning

Questions: 22-24 questions (4 games)

Time: 35 minutes

Known as "Logic Games," this section tests your ability to understand relationships and draw conclusions from structured rule sets and conditions.

Writing Sample

Format: One essay prompt

Time: 35 minutes (unscored)

An unscored argumentative writing exercise sent to law schools with your application. Demonstrates your ability to construct and defend a position with clear reasoning.

The LSAT is scored on a scale from 120 to 180, with the median score typically around 150-152. Top law schools often require scores in the 160s or 170s for competitive admission. Use our LSAT Score Calculator to understand how your raw score converts to a scaled score and percentile ranking.

Choosing the Right LSAT Test Date

Selecting the optimal LSAT test date is a strategic decision that can significantly impact your law school application success. Your choice should balance adequate preparation time, law school application deadlines, and the possibility of retaking the exam if necessary.

Strategic Test Date Selection Guidelines

For Fall 2027 Law School Admission:

Take the LSAT between June and October 2026. This timing allows you to receive scores before most application deadlines and provides time for a retake if needed while still applying early in the cycle.

For Fall 2026 Law School Admission:

Target the January or February 2026 test dates. These are your last opportunities for on-time applications, though some schools may still accept later scores for waitlist consideration.

For Maximum Flexibility:

Register for an earlier test date (January or April) to allow time for a retake in June if your initial score doesn't meet your target. Law schools typically consider your highest score.

Important Consideration: Preparation Timeline

Most successful test-takers dedicate 3-6 months to LSAT preparation. When choosing your test date, count backward from your preferred exam date to ensure you have adequate preparation time. Don't rush your preparation just to take an earlier test—a higher score from a later date is more valuable than a mediocre score from an earlier one.

LSAT Preparation Timeline and Study Strategies

Effective LSAT preparation requires a structured approach that builds fundamental skills before progressing to advanced strategies and timed practice. Your preparation timeline should account for your starting skill level, target score, and available study time per week.

3-Month Study Plan

Recommended for: Test-takers with solid baseline skills or those studying 15-20 hours per week

Month 1: Master fundamentals - Learn logic basics, identify question types, understand passage structures, and complete untimed problem sets focusing on accuracy over speed
Month 2: Build speed and accuracy - Begin timed sections, identify weak areas through diagnostic practice, and drill specific question types that challenge you most
Month 3: Take full-length practice tests weekly under realistic conditions, review every mistake thoroughly, and refine test-day strategies including time management and question triage

6-Month Study Plan

Recommended for: Test-takers seeking significant score improvements or studying 10-15 hours per week

Months 1-2: Comprehensive fundamentals - Deep dive into logical reasoning patterns, analytical reasoning game types, and reading comprehension strategies with daily untimed practice
Months 3-4: Skill development - Introduce timing gradually, complete timed sections, maintain error logs, and drill weaknesses with targeted practice sets
Months 5-6: Test readiness - Take 2-3 full-length practice tests per week, simulate test day conditions precisely, analyze performance patterns, and focus on maintaining mental stamina

Essential Study Resources and Practices

Official LSAT PrepTests

Use real LSATs from LSAC for practice. These provide the most accurate representation of actual test difficulty and question styles.

Blind Review Method

After timed practice, review questions without time pressure to identify whether mistakes stem from time pressure or conceptual misunderstanding.

Error Tracking

Maintain a detailed log of every mistake, categorizing by question type and reason for error. This identifies patterns requiring focused review.

Consistent Schedule

Study regularly throughout the week rather than cramming on weekends. Daily exposure improves retention and builds the mental stamina needed for test day.

Success Tip: The LSAT rewards deep understanding over memorization. Focus on truly comprehending why correct answers are right and wrong answers are wrong, rather than simply drilling hundreds of questions mechanically. Quality of practice trumps quantity every time.

LSAT Score Release and Next Steps

After taking the LSAT, scores are typically released approximately three weeks after your test date. Score release follows a specific schedule, and LSAC notifies you via email when your score is available in your account. Understanding what happens after you receive your score is crucial for managing your law school application timeline effectively.

Score Release Timeline for 2026

January Test

Jan 28

February Test

Feb 25

April Test

Apr 29

June Test

Jun 24

After Receiving Your Score

Once you receive your LSAT score, you'll need to decide whether to keep it, cancel it (within six days of the score release), or retake the exam. Most law schools now use your highest score or an average favoring higher scores, making retakes less risky than in the past. Consider these factors when making your decision:

Keep Your Score If:

You met or exceeded your target score
Your score is within the median range for your target schools
You felt you performed to your ability on test day
You're applying in the current cycle and timing is critical

Consider Retaking If:

Your score is significantly below your practice test averages
You experienced test day issues (illness, technical problems)
You have time before application deadlines for another attempt
Your score falls below the 25th percentile of your target schools

Use our comprehensive LSAT Score Calculator to understand how your raw score converts to a scaled score and percentile ranking. This tool helps you assess your performance relative to other test-takers and determine whether your score makes you competitive for your target law schools.

Frequently Asked Questions About LSAT 2026

The LSAT test dates for 2026 are January 7-10, February 6-7, April 9-11, and June 3-6. Each test administration spans multiple days to accommodate different testing preferences, locations, and scheduling needs. You can choose to test at an official test center or remotely from home with online proctoring.

Registration deadlines are November 28, 2025 (January test), December 23, 2025 (February test), February 26, 2026 (April test), and April 21, 2026 (June test). Register as early as possible when registration opens (typically 2-3 months before the test date) to secure your preferred test date, time, and location. Early registration also helps commit to your preparation timeline.

The standard LSAT registration fee is $248. Additional fees include approximately $222 for test date changes and $50 refunds for withdrawals before the registration deadline. LSAC offers fee waivers for eligible candidates experiencing financial hardship, which can cover the full registration cost. Check LSAC's website to determine if you qualify for financial assistance programs.

Score release dates for 2026 are January 28 (January test), February 25 (February test), April 29 (April test), and June 24 (June test). Scores are typically released approximately three weeks after your test date. LSAC will notify you via email when your score is available in your online account. You can then decide whether to keep the score or cancel it within six days of the score release.

Most successful test-takers prepare for 3-6 months before their LSAT exam. A 3-month timeline works well if you're studying 15-20 hours per week with strong baseline skills, while a 6-month plan is better for those studying 10-15 hours per week or seeking significant score improvements. Your preparation timeline should account for learning fundamentals, building speed and accuracy, and completing numerous full-length practice tests under realistic conditions.

You can take the LSAT either remotely from home with online proctoring or at an official test center. Remote testing scheduling closes a few days before the test date (typically the Sunday before), while test center scheduling closes about one week earlier. Both options provide the same test content and scoring. Choose the format that makes you most comfortable—some test-takers prefer the controlled environment of a test center, while others appreciate the convenience of testing from home.

If you're applying for fall 2027 law school admission, take the LSAT between June and October 2026. For fall 2026 admission, target January or April 2026. Earlier test dates are strategic because they allow time for retakes if needed and enable you to submit applications early in the cycle when admission chances are typically higher. However, don't sacrifice preparation quality for an earlier date—a higher score from a later test is more valuable than a lower score from an earlier one.

Yes, you can change your LSAT test date after registering, but fees apply. Test date changes must be made before specific deadlines and typically cost $222. If you withdraw before the registration deadline, you may qualify for a partial refund of $50. After the registration deadline, withdrawals typically result in no refund. Always check LSAC's current policies on their official website, as fees and deadlines can change. If you're uncertain about your readiness, consider registering for a later date initially rather than changing later.

Additional LSAT Resources

Maximize your LSAT preparation with comprehensive tools and resources designed to help you achieve your target score. Our LSAT Score Calculator provides instant feedback on your performance and helps you understand where you stand relative to your law school goals.

Calculate Your LSAT Score

Use our comprehensive LSAT Score Calculator to convert your raw score to a scaled score, understand your percentile ranking, and determine your competitiveness for target law schools.

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