If you’re wondering if the LSAT is going away, we have news for you. There have never been more choices when it comes to taking the LSAT. So, when should you take the LSAT? We still remember a time when there were only four LSAT dates every year. Now, you can register for the LSAT almost every month. But have you ever spent hours scrolling through Netflix to find a new show (before settling on something you’ve seen before)? Yeah, more choices don’t always make it easier.
So, to make your LSAT decision a little less difficult, we’ll go through each of the LSAT dates through June 2026 and discuss some pros and cons of each to help you find the best LSAT date for you.
How Do I Decide When To Take the LSAT?
1. Consider Your Study Schedule
The most important factor, by far, is study time. Studying for the LSAT is usually a two-to-six month, twenty-hours-per-week process. Sometimes longer or shorter.
So when deciding when to take the LSAT, think about the LSAT prep time leading up to your test date. Will you have the time to dedicate about twenty hours of weekly study time? Blueprint has different LSAT prep options for any LSAT study schedule, but you should always be honest with yourself and your personal schedule.
2. Think About When You’re Applying to Law School
Despite law schools accepting the GRE, the LSAT is not going away. It’s still a vital part of law school admissions.
Consider whether the LSAT date you choose will allow you to apply early in the law school admissions cycle. Law schools use rolling admissions. The admissions committee starts offering acceptance letters as soon as they start reviewing applications. Ideally, you want to get your applications submitted early before too many acceptance letters are sent out.
You should aim to have your applications submitted by November. Obviously, taking an LSAT after November would prevent you from meeting this goal.
3. Ignore the Rumors
Don’t try to game the system by choosing an LSAT date you’ve heard is “easier” than other test dates. No one—other than the malicious logicians who make this LSAT test—knows how hard or easy the questions will be.
Second, LSATs are curved. Test takers who take an LSAT with “easier” questions have to answer more questions correctly to earn the same score as those who take an LSAT with “harder” questions.
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When Should You Take the LSAT?
Settling on when to take the LSAT depends on a few factors that are unique to each individual test taker and each LSAT date. Let’s break it down.
June LSAT
- Test Dates: June 4-7, 2025
- Score Release Date: June 25
- Registration Deadline: April 22, 2025
The June LSAT is historically a popular date. You’ll receive your test score back by July 1, giving you more than enough time to focus on the rest of your law school application. Alternatively, if you find yourself needing to retake the LSAT, you’ll have time to register for a new test date and work on the areas you need to.
However, the June LSAT may not be as coveted by college students. You’ll likely have to prep for the LSAT amid midterms and finals. On the other hand, you’ll be able to get the LSAT out of the way and enjoy your summer. If you have a light spring semester, this might be the best LSAT date for you. Otherwise, shoot for a test later in the summer.
August LSAT
- Test Dates: August 6-9, 2025
- Score Release Date: August 27, 2025
- Registration Deadline: June 26, 2025
August LSAT dates are pretty great. Rather than sully the excitement of a new school year with your looming fall LSAT, you can take the LSAT during the dog days of summer. You will still get your score back in time to apply early to law school. This test date is perfect for college students and working professionals alike. Prep by the pool, at the beach, or anywhere there’s Wifi with the Blueprint LSAT Self-Paced Course.
September LSAT
- Test Dates: September 3-6, 2025
- Score Release Date: September 24, 2025
- Registration Deadline: July 22, 2025
The September LSAT is a very convenient test date. You can prep during the summer and wrap it up just as the school year is beginning. The best part is you will receive your score early enough to apply to law school as soon as applications open. It also allows you to retake the exam and still apply “early.”
October LSAT
- Test Dates: October 3-4, 2025 and October 6-7, 2025
- Score Release Date: October 24, 2025
- Registration Deadline: August 21, 2025
Remember when we said it’s better to apply as soon as you can to law school? You might be cutting it close with the October LSAT, but only ever so slightly. It’s still a great option for students who wanted to prep during the summer but couldn’t. You will get your score back by the end of the month.
While you’re waiting for your score, use your time wisely. Gather the rest of the materials you’ll need for your law school application including a personal statement and letters of recommendation, and register for the CAS.
November LSAT
- Test Dates: November 5-8, 2025
- Score Release Date: November 26, 2025
- Registration Deadline: September 25, 2025
If you’ve been kicking around the idea of going to law school, now is the time to make the decision. Your law school application is not complete until you submit an LSAT score. You will receive your November LSAT score near the beginning of December.
It’s also in between midterms and Thanksgiving break, which could place undue pressure on you. Remember, the most important factor in determining the best LSAT date for you is adequate LSAT prep time. If the November LSAT will allow you the most time to prep, then definitely go for it!
January LSAT
- Test Dates: January 7-10, 2026
- Score Release Date: January 28, 2026
- Registration Deadline: November 28, 2025
New year, new you, new career? Taking the January LSAT won’t look like a gym at the beginning of the year, but it is an interesting choice. It takes place after the holidays, which can be a huge distraction for many of us. College students could find the January LSAT particularly advantageous because they can prep over winter break.
Some schools won’t accept applications past a certain date in January or early February. If you have to retake your LSAT, you might not make the hard law school deadlines. On the other hand, you might be able to submit your application with a pending LSAT score. Always check your schools’ deadlines and LSAT policies.
February LSAT
- Test Dates: February 6-7, 2026
- Score Release Date: February 25, 2026
- Registration Deadline: December 23, 2025
Some law schools simply won’t accept the February LSAT for a Fall 2026 admission, but double-check with your schools. That said, you would be taking the LSAT in the middle of winter; what else do you have going on during this time? You could take the February LSAT and then cross that off your 2026-27 law school admissions cycle checklist super early.
March LSAT
- There’s no March 2026 LSAT.
- Registration Deadline: N/A
Assuming there’s a March LSAT offered, this test date is another great option if you’re applying for Fall admission next cycle and want to get the LSAT out of the way. Just make sure you can dedicate enough time to prepping for the LSAT during your spring semester.
Unfortunately, there are only a handful of schools willing to accept the March LSAT for admission in the same cycle. Check with your school before choosing the March LSAT.
April LSAT
- Test Dates: April 9-11, 2026
- Score Release Date: April 29, 2025
- Registration Deadline: February 26, 2026
Who would want to take the April LSAT? Anyone who wants to apply to law school in the upcoming cycle! Take it now to get your scores back by May. This way, you can decide if you need to retake the LSAT in the summer.
College students might not be too fond of the April LSAT. It’s scheduled around final exams. You’ll have to juggle studying for those with prepping for the LSAT. Plus, there’s always the big question of whether you should or should not study during Spring Break.
June LSAT
- Test Dates: June 3-6, 2026
- Score Release Date: June 24, 2026
- Registration Deadline: April 21, 2026
Ah, and we come to June once more. Refer to the reasons why you should take the June LSAT above.
Final Thoughts
If you only have two takeaways from this entire blog, it should be these two:
- There’s no such thing as an “easier” or “harder” LSAT.
- Choose an LSAT date that works with your schedule.
And if you need more help deciding on which LSAT to take, schedule a free consult with a Blueprint LSAT Advisor. Once you have your LSAT date, don’t forget about your LSAT prep!
Whether you want the flexibility of a Self-Paced Course or prefer to navigate the LSAT with instructors in a Live Course, we have the study method that fits your learning style. Start for free today and get access to tons of free LSAT prep resources!
So, pre-lawyers, choose wisely, study up, and best of luck!
