10 Key “ABC’s” About The LSAT

As you probably already know, your LSAT score is the single most important part of your law school application. In addition to doing everything you can to maximize your LSAT score, there are several key LSAT logistics to keep in mind. In no particular order, here are 10 ABC’s about the LSAT that are important to be aware of:

1. Highest LSAT score matters: Nearly every law school in the country will focus on your highest LSAT score, and they will not “average” your LSAT scores. As a result, there are very good reasons to consider taking the LSAT more than once to give yourself “two (or more) bites at the apple.” Although law school will focus on your highest LSAT score, they will look at and consider all your LSAT scores, and there are limits to the number of times you can take the LSAT (see below)…so don’t take the LSAT before you are ready “just for fun.”
2. Options to Cancel Your LSAT score: There are two ways to cancel your LSAT score: (1) you can cancel your LSAT score (without having ever seen it) within six (6) days of taking the LSAT by notifying LSAC, or (2) if you purchase LSAC’s “score preview,” you can cancel within six (6) days after receiving your score. Of course, the advantage of purchasing “score preview” is that you can see your LSAT score before deciding to cancel it. If you cancel, law schools will see that you took the LSAT and cancelled your score but they won’t ever see the score itself. Also, it still counts towards the limit of times you may take the LSAT (see below) even if you cancel your score.
3. Maximum Limits on Taking the LSAT: You are permitted to take the LSAT a maximum of (1) five times in a 5-year testing period, and (2) seven times in a lifetime. For most students, the five (5) time limit will be the one that will matter and the one to keep in mind.
4. Official LSAT Dates: The LSAT is now offered a total of eight times per year. Typically, there will be an official LSAT offered in January, February, April, June, August, September, October and November.
5. Final LSAT Date For Timely Applications: Most law schools set application deadlines between March 1 and April 1.. As a result, the February LSAT is usually the last opportunity to take the exam if you want to apply that year. For example, if you want to start law school in Fall 2025, you typically will need to have your application submitted by March 1 (or April 1), 2025, and the last LSAT you can take will be the February 2025 LSAT.
6. Final LSAT Date For “Early Decision” Applications: You have an opportunity to request an “early decision” from ONE law school, committing to go to that law school if it accepts you. By doing so, it will give you a modest advantage in the application process. Most law schools will set an “early decision” application deadline around November 1st.  As a result, the October LSAT is usually the last opportunity to take the exam if you want to apply “early decision” to that law school. For example, if you want to start law school in Fall 2025, you typically will need to have your application submitted by around November 1, 2024 for “early decision,” and the last LSAT you can take would be the one offered in October 2024.
7. “Good” vs. “Early” LSAT Scores: Law schools accept applications on a “rolling” basis. All things being equal, it is better to get your application turned in early (i.e., by approximately November 1st) than to wait until near the end of the application cycle. However, it is much more important to have a strong law school application (i.e., having your LSAT score and grades as high as possible) than merely to submit your application early. Or, as I routinely tell my ScoreItUp students: “A good LSAT score is much more important than an early LSAT score.”
8. LSAT Test-Taking Accommodations: Various test-taking accommodations are available for students who can demonstrate a disability that may impact their score. The most significant accommodation is “extra time” – typically either 1.5 times (53 minutes instead of 35 minutes per section) or double time (70 minutes instead of 35 minutes per section). LSAC has become more flexible in granting these accommodations over the past several years, and law schools will not see that you were granted an accommodation.
9. Practice The Way You Will Be Tested: The LSAT is now offered in a digital (online) format. It is no longer a paper-and-pencil test, unless you request and are granted an accommodation to take it that way. There are advantages and disadvantages to the digital format, but if you are taking the exam digitally (as most students will be), you should practice regularly with the digital format. The easiest way to do that is to purchase LSAC’s digital packet of 58+ LSAT PrepTests for $120.
10. Don’t Miss LSAT Registration Deadlines: You normally need to register to take the LSAT about six weeks in advance of the test-taking date, and those registration deadlines are enforced. Be sure to look up the LSAT dates you want to take well in advance, and do not miss those registration deadlines!

Questions? Please email me at mark@scoreitup.com. Good luck!!