Can you take the LSAT in January and still apply?

Asked by: Fanny Boyle  |  Last update: December 21, 2023
Score: 4.8/5 (30 votes)

For most selective law schools, the January LSAT is the last test accepted.

Is it OK to apply to law school in January?

Any application submitted between the beginning of December and the end of January is generally considered “on time.” For some schools, especially schools with a lower median GPA or LSAT scores, applying in February is also considered on time. Applying after February is definitively late in the application cycle.

How late can you take LSAT to apply?

Typically, students applying for regular fall admission take the test during June or September/October of the previous calendar year. You can take the test in December or February, but many schools will have filled some of their seats by the time your scores hit the admissions office.

Should I take the LSAT in November or January?

1. You can still apply to law school with January LSAT scores. Some law schools consider the January LSAT as the final LSAT you can take and still submit an application for admission in the fall because their application deadlines fall in early February.

Is applying to law school in December too late?

Most law schools don't open their applications until the fall. Usually, applications open between early August and early September, with some opening in October. The majority of students aim to submit their applications between late August and late December.

Should You Take the January LSAT?

32 related questions found

Is taking the LSAT in December too late?

The bottom line is that if by taking the December LSAT you can score even a point or two higher, then it's a superior choice to taking the September LSAT.

Is it OK to apply to law school in February?

For some of you, you can apply in February and be okay. For some of you, applying in February is not setting you up for a very successful cycle and you should consider waiting until the next cycle.

What is the easiest month for LSAT?

Since the difficulty of the LSAT is carefully calibrated and curved, no test date is easier than another. Popular times like June and September may fill up early, but that is merely a reflection of the academic calendar since many test-takers are in school and have the most time to focus on the test during the summer.

What months are the hardest for the LSAT?

Using that data, you'll find that the December exam consistently has the easiest "curve," and the June exam consistently has the hardest.

Which month is best for LSAT?

If you are still in college and plan to go to law school right after graduation, you should take the LSAT in the summer after your junior year or the fall of your senior year. For the balance of 2023, the test will be offered in June, August, September, October, and November—the full list of dates for 2023-24 is here.

What happens if I miss my LSAT time?

Withdraw your registration.

(If you register for another test date, you will be required to pay the full LSAT registration fee.) Please note: If you did not schedule an exam time through ProctorU by your administration's scheduling deadline, your registration will be automatically withdrawn, without a refund.

Is February LSAT too late for fall admission?

It's Not Too Late!

For some lower-ranked schools, a February score is not too late. They are perfectly happy to consider it, given the less competitive nature of their admission cycles.

What happens if you miss the LSAT deadline?

You can cancel.

This option will be available to you until 11:50pm ET on the sixth day after your LSAT date. Be advised...if you miss the deadline, whatever score you get is going right on your record. And LSAC is a stickler about that deadline. If you miss it, they're not going to let you cancel.

Should I retake the LSAT in January?

First, it's administered in the dead of winter and it's nondisclosed. This means that you won't see the test content until after the fact. But consider this: the January test may be your best—and last—chance to get the score you need and still apply for admission in the Fall.

What is the best month to apply to law school?

The best time to apply.

Most law schools start to accept applications by early October and evaluate them on a rolling basis. There are more open spots at the beginning of the season, so early applicants have an advantage. That said, you shouldn't rush.

Is it bad to apply to law school late?

The general rule of thumb: “the early bird gets the worm.” It's always better to apply earlier to law school than later. Most law schools (even those with application deadlines) have rolling admissions, where seats in the incoming class are assigned as soon as they start receiving applications.

Is 1 year enough to study for LSAT?

If you have other responsibilities and can only dedicate three to four hours a day to the LSAT, you should give yourself five to six months to study. In total, you should study around 300–400 hours for this exam. This amount of time is generally enough to gain a thorough understanding of how to ace the LSAT.

Is 12 weeks enough for LSAT?

For most students, a three-month period of preparation (of approximately 20 hours per week) is a great goal. This is, of course, an estimate; most students are not all students. To find out how much LSAT prep time you're likely to need, we recommend taking a practice LSAT to get a baseline score.

Is 6 weeks enough for LSAT?

Six weeks is a bit on the shorter side as far as study plans go, but it's doable provided you can devote at least 15-20 hours/week towards LSAT prep. Be realistic – if you are a full-time student or work full time, chances are you cannot spend every waking hour doing logic games or logical reasoning questions.

Can I study for the LSAT in 2 weeks?

Tackling the LSAT Crash Course with Limited Time

In general, if you are short on available time in the coming two weeks, focus on watching the Magoosh lessons, completing at least three to four practice sections a week reinforcing the lesson content, and taking one practice test a week (in one sitting).

What is the average LSAT first time?

Data Summary. The average LSAT score for first-time takers was 151, according to scores tracked from 2006-2013. During this period, second-time test takers had the highest LSAT average score of about 152. The average national LSAT score for full-time, first-year JD enrollees for fall 2022 was about 159.

Can I study for the LSAT in 4 weeks?

Those familiar with logic, argument, and reading questions on the LSAT who can dedicate several hours a day to preparation may find that four weeks is all they need.

What month is too late to apply to law school?

With application rates back up, the ideal law school admissions timeline has you submitting your applications by the end of December. With that said, some law schools do accept applications through February. If you've only just decided to apply, there is a chance you'll get in.

Is it hard to date in law school?

Dating in law school is not impossible — somewhere between classes and homework, there is time for romance. Time for brunch with friends. Time for family. Time for “Parks and Recreation.” But — like a lost iPhone — you just have to find it.

Are law school admissions declining?

14% Through The Fall 2023 Law School Admissions Season: Applicants Are Down -14%, With Biggest Decline (-25%) Among The Top 160-180 LSAT Band (Oct. 10, 2022) 25% Through The Fall 2023 Law School Admissions Season: Applicants Are Down -11%, With Biggest Decline (-21%) In The 165-169 LSAT Band (Nov. 7, 2022)