2018 - 2020 LSAT^® Test Dates & Registration

The current registration fee for the LSAT is $200. View a full list of LSAT test dates, registration deadlines, and withdrawal deadlines

LSAT dates: What's the best one for you?

The 2019-2020 LSAT testing cycle will once again be unique, as LSAT administration dates have changed, adding several brand new test dates, and beginning the LSAT’s transition from a paper-and-pencil test to a digital exam offered on a tablet, as well as shifting the LSAT Writing Section to a separate, on-demand administration. In the next year, from March 30, 2019 to March 30, 2020, test-takers will have 9 opportunities to take the LSAT—more than ever before. What does this mean for you if you’re planning on taking the LSAT and applying to law school this year?

Depending on the law school you’re applying to, the March 2019 LSAT administration may be your last chance to take (or retake) the exam and still apply for Fall 2019 admission. Although most application deadlines, especially for Tier 1 schools, will have passed, you may still be able to apply for the last remaining seats at some law schools.

The June 2019 LSAT is your absolute last chance to take the LSAT as a paper-and-pencil exam. Starting with the July 2019 LSAT, your test center may offer a digital or a paper-and-pencil exam, and you will not know which version of the LSAT you’ll see until test day. Also starting in June: The LSAT Writing Section will now be a separate, on-demand section you will take at home on your own computer. You can keep up with all the LSAT test changes on our 2019 LSAT Test Changes page.

If your spring semester is particularly busy or your finals period runs long, layering in LSAT prep on top of high-level classes, work, and other obligations may not be a great recipe for success. The September LSAT is often a better option and, in fact, one of the most popular time to take the LSAT. Taking the September 2019 LSAT allows you to prep during your entire summer downtime and still submit applications early. Remember that most law schools work on a rolling admissions cycle, meaning that the earlier you apply, the more seats are still available. Scholarship money is also awarded on a rolling basis, so earlier application makes you eligible for more merit-based awards. The September LSAT exam date is still ideal because it allows you to retest in October, November, or even January if necessary, and still submit applications in time for most law schools' regular decision deadlines. The September 2019 LSAT will also mark the beginning of the all-digital LSAT.

If you’re a little late getting started or find yourself needing more time to prepare, the October and November 2019 LSAT dates are both solid options. The drawback is that your scores will come in later than those of other applicants, forcing you to submit your completed applications later than other applicants in the rolling admissions process. The advantage is that you could potentially get a higher LSAT score by giving yourself more time study time. However, it is much more important to submit a competitive application than an early application. One more thing to keep in mind is that the November 2019 LSAT administration falls on the Monday before Thanksgiving in the United States.

Nearly half the students who will take the late January 2020 LSAT will be re-takers trying to raise their score. Given how late it is in the admissions cycle, you should not proactively plan on taking the January 13, 2020 exam as your first test, unless you are planning on applying the following year. That said, if you are late to the game, you can indeed still earn admission with a strong LSAT score (i.e., above the median) for the school(s) to which you choose to apply.

The March 2020 LSAT date will fall past the application deadline of many law schools, and should really be a chance to get a head start rather than a last-chance for Fall 2020 admissions.

Keep in mind that whichever LSAT test date you choose, you’ll need to register for the exam approximately six weeks prior to the test date. Be sure to check lsac.org for registration deadlines.

The Credential Assembly Service

Almost all ABA-approved law schools require you to register with the Credential Assembly Service. The Credential Assembly Service prepares and provides a report to each law school to which you apply. This report includes your undergraduate academic summary, copies of all school transcripts, LSAT scores and writing sample copies, data on how your LSAT score and GPA compares to other applicants in your major from your undergraduate school, and copies of letters of recommendation.

Online registration for the Credential Assembly Service service costs $195 and extends for five years from your LSAT registration date.

How much does it cost to take the LSAT?

Registration for the LSAT, including LSAT Writing, is $200. You will also need to register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) at a cost of $195. The CAS is used to keep all your transcripts, letters of recommendation, and any other documents required for each of your law school applications in one central place for law schools to access when reviewing your application.

How to register for the LSAT

You can register for the LSAT online by going to your LSAC.org account. If you don’t have one, you can create an LSAC.org account for free. You can also register for the LSAT by phone by calling the LSAC at 215-968-1001. The LSAC registration phone lines are open weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (ET), September through February and 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. (ET) March through August.

Can you change your LSAT test date?

You can change your LSAT test date to a different date within the current testing year before your current LSAT administration’s Test Date deadline has passed. If your Test Date Change deadline has passed, you can still withdraw your test registration and then register again for future dates. The Test Date Change fee is $125. You can submit a request to change your test date directly to the LSAC through your LSAC.org account or by mail or fax. You can find the most current information on the LSAC website.

How much time do you need to study for the LSAT?

You’ll want to devote at least 120 hours’ worth of studying and practice to get to know the LSAT. Since the LSAT isn’t a knowledge or memorization test, you’ll want to spend your time getting to know the test format and practicing the skills you’ll need to succeed on the exam. Depending on your LSAT score goal and how much you need to improve, you may need more time to prep and practice. 

We recommend that you spend 150–300 hours on LSAT prep over 2-3 months. That’s about 20–25 hours per week, which is a standard amount for most students. Keep in mind that those hours include any classes or private tutoring sessions you might be using. If you are studying on your own, you should aim for the higher end of that time recommendation because you will have to do more of the analysis and organization of material yourself.

Set a goal score, and do some LSAT preparation exploration: Will you prepare on your own, with a class or tutor, on-site or online, interactive or on-demand?  Figure out what kind of prep will work best for you and your schedule. Then take a blank calendar and fill in all of your current obligations. Get an idea of how much time you really have to spend on LSAT prep—and be realistic. That’s when you can set a test date and weekly schedules for studying, taking into consideration both time and how dramatic your score goal is in comparison with your first practice test.

How to prepare for the LSAT

You can check out Kaplan LSAT prep classes here: www.kaptest.com/lsat and take a free practice LSAT exam here: www.kaptest.com/lsat/free/lsat-practice.

Whether or not you’re taking a course, as you begin your LSAT preparation, you need to have a plan in place for your individual practice. Your focus needs to be on good form (consistently using methods that help you answer questions correctly), speed (making your way through each 35 minute section at a pace that allows you to earn as many points as possible), and stamina (developing the ability to finish the test as strong as you started). Make sure that you are practicing taking the exam in the digital format, learning how to set up your scratch paper, and becoming familiar with the exam’s interface.