LSAT Deadlines

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There are A LOT of deadlines to keep track of when registering for and taking the LSAT. For the specific dates and deadlines you should know of, visit this LSAC page and select your test cycle. This article is here to provide a quick overview. One thing to note is that all deadlines are for 11:59PM EST on the respective date. It can be risky to wait until then though – if you’re experiencing technical difficulties, LSAC may not be able to help you in time. So you should always aim to give yourself some leeway.

Registration Deadlines

Test Registration

This is typically around 1.5 months before the test administration. Registration opens months before, however, so the registration period is very long. Again, give yourself time to register and don’t wait until the very last second.

Accommodation and Assistive Technology

The deadline to request accommodations and/or assistive technology always falls on the same day as the test registration deadline (i.e. around 1.5 months before the test administration). The period to request accommodations is similarly long, so you should not wait until the last second.

Scheduling

The LSAT is administered almost all day over a period of multiple days. So, you have to schedule a date and time to take your test. Scheduling opens via ProMetric for all test takers (both remote in and in-person) around a month after the registration deadline, and around 2 weeks before the test administration begins. If you want to take the LSAT in-person at a center, the scheduling period is open for 7 days. If you want to take the LSAT remotely, the scheduling period is open for around 10-12 days. This means that remote test takers have longer to schedule their test than in-person test takers. If you miss the deadline for scheduling in-person, you only have the option to take the test remotely. For this deadline, you should ensure that you are ready to schedule your test as soon as the scheduling opens. This is the only way to secure your best chance to get your preferred time, date, and testing center if you wish to take it in-person. Scheduling is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. You don’t want to be stuck with the leftovers.  If you fail to schedule an exam time during the scheduling period, you will be automatically withdrawn without a refund.

Other Deadlines and Refunds

Score Preview

You can purchase Score Preview in two different time periods:

1. Before the first date of test administration of your cycle (i.e. before the first testing day) for $45.
2. The period between the last testing day of your cycle and Score Release Date for $80.

For more information, read our article that covers everything related to Score Preview.

Test Date Change

Up until the day before the test administration begins, you are able to change your test date within the same LSAT testing year (i.e. you can change the month that you are taking the test, for example switching from November to January). The LSAT testing year is from July through the next June. Naturally, the related fees are going to vary depending on when you change your test date.

• If you change before your registration deadline for your original cycle, you can change free of charge. For example, if you’re registered for the November 2024 LSAT, the registration deadline is September 26, 2024. If you change your test date before 11:59 PM EST on September 26, it is free. 
• If you change your test date after the registration deadline and around a month before the testing administration begins, it will cost you $145. For example, if you’re registered for the November 2024 LSAT, this period is September 27 to October 3. 
• If you change your test date within a month before the test administration begins, you will be charged $238, which is the full cost of an LSAT registration. At this point, it may be beneficial to just take the test you are registered for, and additionally register for a new test. If you do this, you will be charged the same amount, but given the opportunity to take the test twice instead of once. For example, if you’re registered for the November 2024 LSAT, you will be charged $238 to change your test date between October 4 and November 5. 

In summary, you can change your test date up until the day before the test administration for your original test begins. Depending on when you change it, you will be charged different amounts.

Refund

If you, for any reason, decide that you no longer want to take the LSAT that you are registered for, you have until the registration deadline to withdraw to receive a full refund. For example, if you are registered for the November 2024 LSAT and decide you no longer want to take it, you have until September 26 to withdraw and receive a full refund.  If you miss this withdrawal deadline, you have the following options:

1. Request a test date change. Read the above section for the guidelines and charges.
2. Withdraw your registration without a refund.
3. Do not schedule an exam time so you are automatically withdrawn (there is no point of doing this – you can just withdraw yourself, you will not receive a refund either way).
4. Schedule your exam and fail to show up. You should never do this. You will receive a designation of “Absent” on your score report, which law schools can see.

Those are the relevant deadlines you should be aware of when registering for the LSAT. As always, you should consult LSAC’s website for all official and exact deadlines. Sometimes the LSAC extends full refund deadlines after certain Score Release dates so that test takers who received their goal score can withdraw with a full refund. Keep an eye out on their website and keep yourself informed – it will save you time, hassle, and potentially money.