LSAT Test Dates 2026–2027: International and U.S. Deadlines

International LSAT dates and deadlines

Use this table if you will test outside the United States and Canada. The October 2026 test remains scheduled for registered candidates; its entry deadline has passed. Check the International tab on LSAC's official calendar and your LSAC account for your location and appointment.

U.S. and Canada LSAT dates

These are a separate LSAC schedule. The October 2026 registration deadline was 27 August, so November is the next U.S./Canada administration accepting registrations as of this update.

Current LSAT format and test location

The multiple choice test has two scored Logical Reasoning sections, one scored Reading Comprehension section, and one unscored variable section. Each is 35 minutes. The old Analytical Reasoning or “Logic Games” section is no longer part of the LSAT. LSAT Argumentative Writing is a separate, unscored requirement.

Starting with the August 2026 LSAT, LSAC is moving toward in-centre testing for almost all candidates. Remote testing is limited to approved exceptions. Check LSAC's current format and delivery guidance before planning to test at home.

Registration, fees and preparation

1. Create or sign in to your LSAC account.
2. Select the administration and region that matches where you will test.
3. Register by the listed deadline and request accommodations by the applicable deadline if needed.
4. When scheduling opens, choose an available centre and appointment; complete LSAT Argumentative Writing as directed by LSAC.
5. Check your law school's score acceptance deadline before relying on a late administration.

LSAC currently lists an LSAT registration fee of $253. Fees for score preview, changes and other services vary; use LSAC's registration and fee page for the amount that applies to you. Eligible candidates may apply for an LSAC fee waiver.

Study with current Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension PrepTests. Choose a test date that allows realistic preparation and enough time for score release, application deadlines and a possible retake. You can use the NUM8ERS LSAT score calculator for practice score planning.

How to use the verified 2026–27 LSAT calendar

The LSAC calendar separates U.S./Canada administrations from international testing. That distinction matters for a candidate in Dubai: a November 2026 test appears on the domestic calendar but not on the international one. The international October 2026 test dates remain upcoming as of 26 September, yet the 27 August registration deadline has passed. Registered candidates should check their LSAC account for scheduling and test-centre details. Candidates who have not registered should plan for 15–16 January 2027, the next published international administration with a future registration deadline.

Every date in the two tables has a different role. The registration deadline controls whether you can enter the administration. The scheduling-open date is when registered candidates can choose an available appointment. The primary test dates are when the multiple-choice exam is held. The score-release date is LSAC's planned publication milestone, subject to completion of required writing and any account holds. Confusing these dates can cause an applicant to miss registration even while a test day is still weeks away.

All receipt deadlines on LSAC's calendar use 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Dubai is hours ahead, so do not assume a UAE local midnight deadline. Convert the exact time when planning registration, payment or accommodation requests. LSAC also warns that dates can change; review its current calendar and the detail page for your administration before relying on this summary. Our international exam timetable hub helps compare LSAT with other admissions exams, while LSAC is the final source for the actual test.

International dates for Dubai candidates

The international administration scheduled for 9–10 October 2026 has Argumentative Writing opening 29 September and a listed score release of 28 October. Its registration closed on 27 August. The next registration opportunity is 15–16 January 2027: registration ends 1 December 2026, scheduling opens 22 December, Argumentative Writing opens 5 January, and score release is listed for 3 February. Candidates with a hard early-2027 law-school deadline should compare that 3 February date against the school's own score-acceptance rule.

Later international administrations are 9–10 April 2027 and 11–12 June 2027. Their registration deadlines are 25 February and 29 April respectively; scheduling opens 23 March and 25 May. Writing opens 31 March for April and 1 June for June. The corresponding score-release dates are 28 April and 30 June. These dates give candidates applying for a later intake or seeking a retake a path, but they may be too late for an application in an earlier cycle. Check each school individually.

International testing availability is not the same as a specific centre appointment. Register for the correct region first, then follow LSAC's scheduling communication to choose a seat. From August 2026 onward, in-centre testing is the usual mode. Remote testing requires an approved exception under current rules. A candidate should not buy an international LSAT expecting to sit it at home simply because earlier cycles allowed broader remote access.

U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico dates

For U.S. and Canada test takers, October 7–10 2026 remains on the calendar but registration closed 27 August. November 11–14 is the next administration with a future registration deadline as of this review: register by 1 October, scheduling opens 27 October, Argumentative Writing opens 3 November and the score release is 2 December. January 13–16 2027 follows, with a 1 December registration deadline and 3 February score release. February 12–13 uses a 29 December 2026 registration deadline and a 3 March 2027 score release.

LSAC also lists a separate February 2027 LSAT—Puerto Rico administration on 18–20 February. Registration closes 5 January 2027, scheduling opens 2 February, Argumentative Writing opens 10 February and scores are listed for 10 March. It is a separate administration, not an extra standard international date. Candidates eligible for it should use LSAC's specific administration detail page. The regular April 8–10 and June 9–12 2027 domestic administrations have registration deadlines of 25 February and 29 April, with score releases 28 April and 30 June.

These entries show why a generic “one test per month” description is wrong. There is no December 2026 administration on the published schedule, and the international calendar has fewer administrations than the U.S./Canada calendar. Choose the region where you will actually test. If you travel between countries, ask LSAC about the correct registration and scheduling path rather than assuming you can use a domestic entry overseas.

Argumentative Writing is a score-release requirement

The multiple-choice LSAT score cannot be released to you or law schools until you have an approved writing sample on file. For a first-time test taker, LSAT Argumentative Writing is included with the registration and opens eight days before the administration. The standard writing session is remotely proctored through LawHub and lasts 50 minutes: 15 minutes for analysis and 35 minutes for the essay. It is unscored, but the approval requirement makes it a real scheduling item.

Complete writing early when it opens rather than waiting until score-release week. LSAC says processing may take time, and an unclear ID image or flagged session can delay approval. If you already have a reportable approved LSAT Writing or Argumentative Writing sample from a previous administration, you may not need another. Check your LSAC account status. The multiple-choice test's move toward in-centre delivery does not make Argumentative Writing an in-centre test; it remains a separate remote-proctored task.

Prepare by practising a clear position, explaining reasons and addressing a counterargument within the allowed time. Because the sample is not scored, the goal is a coherent authentic writing sample that meets LSAC's rules. Do not use tools or assistance that the proctoring terms prohibit. Review the equipment, room and identity instructions in advance. Keep a buffer between the writing session and the planned score date so a technical or approval issue does not derail the application.

Current multiple-choice format

The standard LSAT has four 35-minute sections: two scored Logical Reasoning sections, one scored Reading Comprehension section and one unscored variable section. LSAC also provides a ten-minute intermission between the second and third sections. Analytical Reasoning, often called Logic Games, is no longer on the current test. Old prep books that devote a large share of study time to Logic Games do not match the present format.

Logical Reasoning asks you to analyse arguments, assumptions, evidence and implications. Rather than memorising answer shapes, identify the conclusion and why the support does or does not establish it. Reading Comprehension asks you to understand dense passages, structure, perspective and details. Practise explaining what each paragraph does and which sentence supports an answer. The unscored variable section is not identified in a way that lets candidates safely ignore it, so maintain focus throughout the multiple-choice test.

Use current LSAC PrepTests and LawHub materials when possible. A raw practice score can help track progress, but the official scaled score depends on the particular test. The NUM8ERS LSAT score calculator can assist with approximate practice planning; it should not be treated as an official prediction for a future administration. Keep a record of timed section accuracy, pacing and the reasons for missed questions.

Registration, scheduling and accommodations

Registering and scheduling are separate steps in the 2026–27 cycle. Registration secures an entry for an administration before its deadline. Later, when scheduling opens, registered test takers choose from the appointment options offered through LSAC's process. Review the email and administration detail page for the exact scheduling deadline and location. Registering does not guarantee your preferred test centre or time. Book a usable appointment promptly when scheduling opens.

For most administrations, LSAC states that the registration deadline is also the last day to request disability-related accommodations, assistive technology and some no-fee changes or refunds. Exceptions and exact terms vary by administration. If you need accommodations, start the request well before the published deadline and supply the required documentation. If you need a remote-testing exception, read the current eligibility rules; LSAC has narrowed remote delivery for the 2026–27 cycle.

LSAC's 2026–27 registration fee is US$253, with additional charges for some services. Test-date changes after the registration deadline have tiered fees under the current fee schedule. A fee waiver may be available to eligible candidates. Check the current LSAC fee and refund pages before paying; currency conversion and taxes can affect international cost. Keep the registration confirmation, LSAC number and the details of any accommodation approval together.

Choosing a date for a law-school application

Start with each school's actual deadline and its rule for the last LSAT it will consider. A school may accept an application before the score arrives, while another may require a complete file by a specified date. Rolling admissions can make earlier completion valuable, but broad advice about “best month” is not enough. Put the test's listed score-release date beside the school's deadline, then leave time for writing approval and CAS processing.

For a Dubai applicant aiming at an autumn 2027 start, the January 2027 international test releases scores on 3 February if all requirements are complete. That may suit some schools and miss others. The April 2027 test releases on 28 April and is likely too late for many earlier cycles, but could be useful for a later intake. These are planning inferences from published dates; the school's own acceptance policy decides. Ask admissions directly if its instructions are ambiguous.

If you may retake, choose an initial administration early enough to see the score and adjust preparation before another registration deadline. The January result arrives after the April 2027 registration opens but before its 25 February deadline, leaving a possible second attempt for some applicants. A June retake releases at the end of June. Check whether the schools you care about will consider that later score. Retake policy limits and score-reporting rules should be reviewed in LSAC's current guidance.

An eight-week LSAT preparation example

Week one: choose a target administration based on the correct regional calendar and take a current-format diagnostic. Weeks two and three: learn Logical Reasoning argument structures and Reading Comprehension passage methods. Weeks four and five: complete timed sections, review every missed answer and track pacing. Weeks six and seven: sit full practice tests under realistic conditions and identify the error patterns that remain. Week eight: reduce volume, check the centre and ID, and prepare to complete Argumentative Writing when it opens.

This is an example rather than an LSAC rule. A candidate far from the target score may need more time. A candidate already scoring consistently near the required level may need a shorter focused plan. The useful part is measuring progress and reviewing errors. Repeating practice tests without changing the underlying reasoning usually produces little improvement. For individual support, see NUM8ERS private tutoring in Dubai.

Test-day and score-release checklist

Read the appointment confirmation for venue, reporting time, accepted ID and permitted belongings. Plan travel and check-in, especially if the centre is unfamiliar. If you have an approved remote exception, follow its separate equipment and second-camera rules. Complete Argumentative Writing in accordance with LSAC's instructions and confirm its status in your account. After testing, monitor the listed score-release date and any LSAC notices.

When a score appears, verify that it is available for your applications and that your CAS file is complete. Review your target schools' policies before deciding on a retake or score preview option. If a result is delayed, check whether a writing sample is still pending approval or whether an account hold exists, then contact LSAC through the official channel. A score-release date is useful for planning, but the application is only complete when the school has the materials it requires.

Practical date choices by application scenario

You are already registered for October 2026 from Dubai

Keep the 9–10 October administration on your calendar and check the appointment allocated through LSAC scheduling. Argumentative Writing opens 29 September, and the published score-release date is 28 October. Complete writing promptly if you do not have an approved prior sample. Do not assume that the registration deadline being past means the test itself has been cancelled; it means a new candidate generally cannot enter that administration. Confirm the venue and reporting instructions in your account.

You have not yet registered and will test outside North America

January 15–16 2027 is the next international administration with an open future registration deadline on the published calendar. Register by 1 December 2026, noting that the deadline is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Scheduling opens 22 December. If the 3 February score-release date is too late for your chosen schools, contact those schools about their policies rather than booking a test that cannot serve the application. April and June 2027 are later international alternatives for another deadline or intake.

You will test in the United States or Canada

November 11–14 2026 is the next administration open for registration as of this update. The 1 October deadline is close, so complete registration and any accommodation request promptly. The listed score release is 2 December. January, February, April and June 2027 follow on the domestic calendar. A candidate planning to test in Puerto Rico should also inspect the separate February 18–20 2027 administration rather than assuming it is the same as the standard February 12–13 dates.

You are uncertain where you will be on test day

Choose the region based on where you can reliably test, then check LSAC's current rules for changes before paying. Domestic and international administrations differ, and a centre seat may not be available in the city you first expect. If travel plans are unsettled, leave more time and consider whether a later administration is safer. Do not rely on remote testing as a fallback without an approved exception. Keep application deadlines in mind when considering a move to another date.

Study Logical Reasoning with an error system

Logical Reasoning is two scored sections, so systematic work here can have a large effect on performance. After each practice question, explain the argument in your own words: what is the conclusion, what evidence supports it, and what assumption connects them? If the question asks for a flaw, state the gap before looking at answer choices. For strengthening or weakening questions, predict the kind of fact that would affect that gap. Review why a tempting wrong choice is irrelevant or too weak. This develops transferable reasoning rather than memorised answers.

Track misses by cause. Did you misunderstand the stimulus, miss a quantifier, overlook the question stem or run out of time? A candidate who is accurate untimed but weak timed needs pacing practice; a candidate who misses the same flaw pattern even untimed needs conceptual review. Use short focused sets and revisit the same skill after a few days. Avoid treating every wrong answer as a vocabulary problem when the real issue is the argument structure.

Study Reading Comprehension for structure

Read for the purpose of each paragraph, the author's perspective and the relationship between competing views. A passage may describe a theory, evaluate evidence and then qualify a conclusion. Summarise that movement in a sentence before answering detail questions. When reviewing, find the exact support for the correct answer and identify where an incorrect option overstates, reverses or introduces an unsupported claim. This method is slower in review but can make future timed reading more accurate.

Practise with long, unfamiliar topics so subject matter does not dictate confidence. The LSAT does not require prior expertise in the passage's field; it tests close analysis of what is written. Build a pacing plan that leaves enough time for the final passage, but do not rush so much that you lose the main argument. Compare accuracy across passage types and adjust practice accordingly. Current LSAC materials are important because the scored format has changed from older editions with Logic Games.

What a practice score can and cannot tell you

A current-format timed PrepTest gives a useful baseline and helps you estimate how far you are from a target school's typical score range. It does not guarantee a future official score. Results vary by day, passage mix, fatigue and preparation. Use several recent practice tests and inspect the range, not only your best attempt. A score calculator can translate a raw practice total for a particular disclosed test, but it is not LSAC's official conversion for an upcoming administration.

If you are deciding whether to keep a planned date, compare recent practice to the result you need and the cost of changing. A date change may preserve a later application if preparation is behind; it may also push score release past an important school deadline. Review both effects. LSAC's administration-specific page sets the applicable change and refund deadlines, so use it before taking action. A test date is valuable only if it supports a credible preparation and application timeline.

Final review before registration closes

Use a short checklist with the administration name, testing region, primary dates, registration deadline, scheduling-open date, writing-open date and score-release date. Confirm that the school will accept that result and that your ID and accommodation plans are ready. For international candidates, avoid copying the U.S./Canada November or February rows. For domestic candidates, note the separate Puerto Rico administration where relevant. Save the official calendar page and your registration confirmation so you can compare any later LSAC updates.

Plan application work in parallel. Request transcripts and recommendations early, prepare your personal statement, and understand the CAS process before the LSAT score arrives. If a school permits a pending test score, know exactly when it expects the official result. A late writing sample can hold a score even when the multiple-choice test was completed on time. That is why the writing-open date belongs in the same calendar as the test day.

After a test, wait for the official LSAC score rather than estimating an outcome from how sections felt. If the result is below your target, evaluate recent practice, the school's actual score profile and the next registration deadline. A retake is worthwhile when there is time for improved preparation and a result the school will consider. If the next administration's score would arrive too late, ask the school about its update policy before paying another fee.

Dates, modes and fees can change. The tables here preserve all future published 2026–27 administrations visible in LSAC's calendar as of this review, with October 2026 marked closed to new registration. Use the official links at the end for the latest detail and your account for the exact appointment. Treat school-specific deadlines as separate from LSAC's own dates.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources checked 26 September 2026: LSAC dates and deadlines · registration and fees · test format and delivery · Argumentative Writing · remote testing exceptions · fees and date changes.