{"id":5115,"date":"2025-06-06T11:34:19","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T19:34:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mcclatchymhstg.wpenginepowered.com\/sabe-careers-education\/?p=5115"},"modified":"2026-06-19T06:33:59","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T14:33:59","slug":"when-do-you-take-the-lsat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/when-do-you-take-the-lsat\/","title":{"rendered":"When Do You Take the LSAT? Best Month and School Year"},"content":{"rendered":" <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Though it varies, the LSAT is typically offered <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/education\/blogs\/law-admissions-lowdown\/articles\/when-to-take-the-lsat-to-apply-to-law-school-next-fall\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">eight to nine<\/a> times per year in the United States. But when should you start studying for one of those slots?<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re thinking about law school, one of the first big questions you\u2019ll run into is: <strong>When should I take the LSAT?<\/strong> Like, what year of college? What age? Is earlier better? Should you cram it in over winter break?<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No worries\u2014we\u2019re going to unpack all of that. Whether you&#8217;re mapping out your law school journey from freshman year or figuring things out a little later, knowing the best time to take the Law School Admission Test can make everything feel way less chaotic.<\/p> <p class=\"custom_key wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list custom_underline\"> <li><strong>Junior Year Is the Sweet Spot:<\/strong> Most students take the LSAT in the spring or summer of their junior year to stay ahead of deadlines.<\/li> <li><strong>Age Doesn\u2019t Matter\u2014Readiness Does:<\/strong> Whether you&#8217;re 20 or 35, you&#8217;re ready when you&#8217;ve built the skills and have time to prep.<\/li> <li><strong>The June LSAT is a Popular Pick:<\/strong> Taking the test in June gives you room to retake and plenty of time to apply in the fall.<\/li> <li><strong>Give Yourself Prep Time:<\/strong> Plan at least 3\u20134 months of study so you\u2019re not scrambling to cram last minute.<\/li> <li><strong>Your LSAT Score Carries Weight:<\/strong> A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/good-lsat-score\/\">strong LSAT score<\/a> can balance a lower GPA and boost your shot at scholarships.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-quick-answer-take-it-the-year-before-you-apply\"><strong>The Quick Answer: Take It the Year Before You Apply<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most people take the LSAT about a <strong>year before they plan to attend law school<\/strong>. So if you want to start law school in the fall of 2026, you should aim to take the test sometime in 2025.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s because law school applications usually open in early fall (think September), and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/how-lsat-scoring-works\/\">LSAT scores<\/a> take a few weeks to process. Getting your score in early gives you time to prep the rest of your application without scrambling at the last minute.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-year-of-college-is-best\"><strong>What Year of College Is Best?<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For traditional college students, the best time to take the LSAT is during your junior year or early senior year.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s how that usually plays out:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Junior Year (spring\/summer):<\/strong> This is ideal for many. You\u2019ve likely taken some advanced coursework, your undergraduate grade point average is mostly set, and you still have time to retake the LSAT if needed.<\/li> <li><strong>Senior Year (fall):<\/strong> Still fine, but it can feel rushed if you&#8217;re also working on law school applications. You\u2019ll need to juggle personal statements, letters of recommendation, and transcripts\u2014so be ready for a full plate.<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re not in college anymore? Don\u2019t stress. Plenty of test takers take the LSAT after graduating. The timeline still works the same: about a year before you plan to start law school.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-age-should-you-be\"><strong>What Age Should You Be?<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s no perfect age, and the Law School Admission Council&#8217;s own stats show a wide range of ages among test takers. Some folks take the LSAT at 20, some at 35.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What matters more than age is timing. If you\u2019re ready to commit to LSAT prep and confident in your reading and reasoning skills, you\u2019re ready\u2014period.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-choosing-the-right-lsat-test-date\"><strong>Choosing the Right LSAT Test Date<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The LSAT is offered multiple times throughout the year, usually in:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>January<\/li> <li>February<\/li> <li>April<\/li> <li>June<\/li> <li>August<\/li> <li>September<\/li> <li>October<\/li> <li>November<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many students shoot for the <strong>June LSAT after junior year<\/strong>. This gives you summer to regroup (or retake), and you\u2019ll have your LSAT scores back in plenty of time for fall apps.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Keep an eye on registration deadlines<\/strong>, though\u2014they sneak up fast. You don\u2019t want to miss your chance to grab a seat, especially for popular test months.<\/p> <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/06\/When-Do-You-Take-the-LSAT-info.png\" alt=\"LSAT prep timeline\" class=\"wp-image-5120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/06\/When-Do-You-Take-the-LSAT-info.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/06\/When-Do-You-Take-the-LSAT-info-200x300.png 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-timing-matters\"><strong>Why Timing Matters<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Picking the right time to take the LSAT isn\u2019t just about convenience\u2014it\u2019s about giving yourself the best shot at success.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s why:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>You may want to take it twice. Some people do better the second time around, especially after reviewing their first practice tests and adjusting their study plan.<\/li> <li>You don\u2019t want to rush. Trying to cram LSAT prep into finals season or your last semester of college can backfire.<\/li> <li>Your score matters more than you think. A high LSAT score can offset a lower GPA or land you scholarship offers. So it\u2019s worth the time and planning.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-give-yourself-time-to-prepare\"><strong>Give Yourself Time to Prepare<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s talk about LSAT prep for a second.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This isn\u2019t the kind of test you can cram for. It\u2019s a <strong>skills-based exam<\/strong>, which means it takes time to build up the logic, reading, and reasoning skills it tests.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s what a typical prep timeline might look like:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>3\u20134 months of study time (10\u201315 hours a week)<\/li> <li>Regular practice tests to track progress<\/li> <li>Reviewing mistakes, adjusting strategy<\/li> <li>Maybe a prep course if you need structure or accountability<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want to take the June test, you\u2019ll probably want to start June test preparation around February or March (or if you&#8217;re shooting for a 180, even earlier).<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-if-you-re-not-ready\"><strong>What If You\u2019re Not Ready?<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s totally okay to delay your test date if life gets in the way or you\u2019re not hitting your goal scores. You can take the LSAT multiple times, and law schools mostly look at your highest score, not all of them.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just make sure you\u2019ve planned enough time between tests if you want to retake it before your application deadlines.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-overall-timeline-for-law-school-applicants\"><strong>Overall Timeline for Law School Applicants<\/strong><\/h2> <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/06\/When-Do-You-Take-the-LSAT-info1.png\" alt=\"LSAT timeline\" class=\"wp-image-5119\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/06\/When-Do-You-Take-the-LSAT-info1.png 940w, https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/06\/When-Do-You-Take-the-LSAT-info1-300x251.png 300w, https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/06\/When-Do-You-Take-the-LSAT-info1-768x644.png 768w, https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/06\/When-Do-You-Take-the-LSAT-info1-150x126.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s a general timeline for when to take the LSAT if you&#8217;re applying straight from undergrad:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Sophomore Year:<\/strong> Start thinking about law school. Maybe take an intro logic or writing course to build foundational skills and make a list of your dream schools.<\/li> <li><strong>Junior Year Fall:<\/strong> Start light LSAT prep. Maybe take a diagnostic test and research prep materials, or test prep companies.<\/li> <li><strong>Junior Year Spring or Summer:<\/strong> Take the LSAT (aim for the June LSAT if possible).<\/li> <li><strong>Senior Year Fall:<\/strong> Finish your law school applications and hit submit.<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re applying later or on a non-traditional path, just shift everything based on your intended test date and application cycle.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-conclusion\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, <strong>when do you take the LSAT?<\/strong> Ideally, during your junior year of college or at least a year before you want to attend law school. Give yourself plenty of time for LSAT prep, multiple practice tests, and maybe even a retake.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s okay to take it earlier or later, depending on your situation\u2014but the key is planning ahead. Know your test date, start early, and build your study routine with enough breathing room to feel ready. You\u2019ve got this.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-faqs\"><strong>FAQs<\/strong><\/h2> <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1749107083732\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What year in college do you take the LSAT?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Most students take the LSAT during their junior year, especially in the spring or summer, to have their score ready for fall applications.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1749107087685\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What age should you take the LSAT?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">There\u2019s no ideal age\u2014it depends on when you&#8217;re ready to apply to law school and have enough time to prepare for the test.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1749107092080\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>When should I take the LSAT for the first time?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">You should take it the year before you plan to attend law school, ideally after a few months of solid prep and a full-length practice test.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1749107096688\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Does taking the LSAT 3 times look bad?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Not necessarily. Law schools usually focus on your highest score, but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/how-many-times-can-you-take-the-lsat\/\">taking it multiple times<\/a> without improvement may raise questions.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1749107101740\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Does LSAT outweigh GPA?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">For many schools, yes. The LSAT is often viewed as a strong predictor of law school success and can carry more weight than GPA in admissions.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Though it varies, the LSAT is typically offered eight to nine times per year in the United States. But when should you start studying for one of those slots? If you\u2019re thinking about law school, one of the first big questions you\u2019ll run into is: When should I take the LSAT? Like, what year of [&hellip;]<\/p> ","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":5118,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,245],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5115","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-careers-education","category-law"],"acf":{"external_author":[129],"external_editor":"","select_template":"default","not_show_feature_image":false,"hide_toc":false},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/06\/When-Do-You-Take-the-LSAT-feature-image-768x427.png","author_info":{"display_name":"","author_link":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/author\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>When Do You Take the LSAT? 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