2018 LSAT^® Test Dates & Registration

The current registration fee for the LSAT is $180. View a full list of LSAT test dates, registration deadlines, and withdrawal deadlines

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

The 2018-2019 LSAT testing cycle will be unique, as LSAT administration dates have changed, adding a brand new July test date, moving the September LSAT administration to September 8, the earliest it’s ever been in recent years, and shuffling around the traditional December and February LSAT dates. Instead, you will see a mid-November 2018 administration, and then a late-January 2019 exam, followed by another opportunity to test on March 30, 2019. What does this mean for you if you’re planning on taking the LSAT and applying to law school this year?

If you’re a current college student, the June 2018 LSAT date allows you to get the LSAT out of the way so you can concentrate on your law school applications over the summer and submit them as soon as application season opens in the fall. Plus, if your LSAT score doesn’t measure up, summer LSAT dates give you multiple potential retake options in fall or winter. Although testing in June allows you some time post-finals to complete your prep, you’ll have to do the bulk of your studying for the LSAT during your spring semester. If you plan on applying Early Decision to law school, you may have to take the LSAT in June so you get your scores in time for some deadlines. And, great news, this year's June Test Day—Monday June 11—is the latest it has been in years, giving you extra time post-finals to prep.

The newly added July 2018 LSAT falls right in the middle of summer—Monday, July 23. If you’re currently in school, this is great news. This new test date allows you to study for the LSAT after your busy spring semester while still giving you time in the summer to work on your applications, submit them early in the admissions cycle, and even regroup and retake the test if you didn’t get the score you wanted.

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, the most popular time to take the LSAT. Taking the September LSAT this year 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.

This early fall LSAT exam date is also great because it allows you to retest in November, and even January if necessary, and still submit applications in time for most law schools' regular decision deadlines. This fall’s LSAT exam date of September 8 is exceptionally early. If you plan on taking the LSAT this date—historically the most popular—plan ahead for your preparation. Kaplan’s summer LSAT prep classes are open now and you can start studying as soon as you enroll.

If you’re a little late getting started or find yourself needing more time to prepare, the November 2018 LSAT date is another option. 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.

Nearly half the students who will take the late January 2019 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 29 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 2019 LSAT date will fall past the application deadline of many law schools, and should really be a chance to get a head start on the 2019 test cycle, rather than a last-chance for Fall 2019 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 $185 and extends for five years from your LSAT registration date.