- You are here:
- Home »
- LSAT Basics »
- LSAT Registration: LSAT Dates + Deadlines
LSAT Registration: LSAT Dates + Deadlines
Once you’ve decided to take the LSAT, it’s important to consider the LSAT registration dates. You can’t register for the LSAT after the deadline, so you must stay on top of it. In this article, I’ll go over how to register for the LSAT. I’ll also discuss what to do if you need to change your test date or location.
LSAT Test Registration
The LSAT, or the Law School Admission Test, is administered by LSAC, the Law School Admission Council. Candidates are required to register several months in advance. As a result, you cannot register on the day of the exam. In addition, walk-in registrations are not accepted.
LSAT Months Available
LSAC chooses the number of times to give the LSAT each year based on the demand and other factors. In the past, it was only given 4 times a year. Then, LSAC bumped it up to 7 or 9 times. Right now, we don’t yet know how many times it will be given in 2021. However, you can usually expect a chance to take it every month or every other month.
For the remaining months in 2020, it will be given in November.
- November 7, 8, 10, and 11, 2020 (LSAT-Flex only)
For 2021, the LSAT is already scheduled for January, February, and April. It’s likely that LSAC will add more 2021 dates. So if they add dates for June LSAT registration or July LSAT registration, I’ll update this article. But right now, we don’t know if any new dates will be the standard LSAT or the LSAT-Flex.
- January 16 and 17, 2021 (LSAT-Flex only)
- February 20 and 21, 2021 (LSAT-Flex only)
- April 10 and 11, 2021 (LSAT-Flex only)
LSAT Test Centers
Before you choose an LSAT test date, you should also consider where you plan to take the exam. Click here to find LSAC’s searchable database of testing centers.
How to Register for the LSAT
LSAC has made registering for the LSAT easy. To do so, just follow these steps.
Step 1: Register with LSAC
Start at http://www.lsac.org/LSAT. In the row of blue buttons, click “Register Now.”
Step 2: Create an account
When you come to the LSAC account screen, you’ll need to start by creating a new account. At the bottom of the screen next to “Don’t have an account?” click on the link for “Sign up now.” To create an account, you just need to enter your name, email address, and create a password.
Step 3: Confirm your account
Next, you will receive an email from LSAC to confirm your account. Just follow the instructions.
Step 4: Select a date and register
Once you receive your email and confirm your account, you will be taken to your LSAC Account Access page. To start, fill out your personal information and state where you received (or will receive) your bachelor’s degree. Then, you’ll be able to select your test date and location and register for the LSAT.
In this step, you should use the first and last name that appears on the ID you will use on the day of the LSAT.
Want to register by phone?
Or, if you would rather register by phone, you can do that, too. Call LSAC at 215-968-1001 to register your exam. The registration line is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM (September-February) or 4:45 PM (March-August) (Eastern time.) If you call on a Monday, expect delays because it’s the busiest day of the week for the LSAC staff.
How to Register for the LSAT-Flex
LSAC is trying to work with law school candidates to make sure that taking the LSAT is safe, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. So in response to safety concerns, LSAC has announced that many of the upcoming exams will be the LSAT-Flex. This new test format is an online, remotely proctored exam. In fact, students take it on their own computers instead of traveling to a test center. If this situation applies to you, LSAC will automatically change your registration from the LSAT to the LSAT-Flex.
LSAT Deadlines
When you register for the LSAT, you have several dates and deadlines to consider.
- Test Date: The date you plan to sit for the LSAT or LSAT-Flex.
- Registration Deadline: The deadline to register for the LSAT. However, I encourage you to register early in case there are issues.
- Accommodation Request Deadline: If you have certain disabilities that require accommodations during the exam, you can make a request to LSAC. (Find more information here on LSAC’s website.)
- Assistance Request Deadline: For the LSAT-Flex, you can request help if you need the appropriate computer software. Additionally, LSAC may be able to help with a reliable internet connection or a quiet place to take the test.
- Photo Upload Deadline: If you take the in-person LSAT, you must upload a clear and current photo of yourself to your LSAC account. On the day of your exam, the administrators at the testing center will use the photo to verify your identity. Please note that if you’re taking the LSAT-Flex, you don’t need to upload a photo.
- Test Center Change Deadline: If you need to change the location where you plan to take the LSAT, you can do so. However, you’ll have to meet the deadline.
- Test Date Change Deadline: You can also change the date you plan to take the LSAT.
- Registration Refund Deadline: If you withdraw your registration by a certain date, you can request a partial refund of your paid fees.
- Registration Withdrawal Deadline: You have until 11:59 PM the day before your scheduled test to withdraw your LSAT registration.
An important word of advice
You should frequently check with LSAC regarding your deadlines. For instance, LSAC can amend deadlines from time to time. As an example, some deadlines have changed regarding the LSAT-Flex because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
LSAT Registration Deadlines 2020
The following are the remaining LSAT registration deadline dates for 2020. However, these dates reflect testing centers in the United States and Canada. To learn more about deadlines for other regions, click here.
Week of November 7, 2020
The November 2020 LSAT will be the LSAT-Flex that will be given November 7, 8, 10, and 11, 2020. The November LSAT registration deadline is Wednesday, September 23, 2020.
- Registration Deadline: September 23, 2020
- Accommodation Request Deadline: September 23, 2020
- Assistance Request Deadline: October 18, 2020
- Test Date Change Deadline: October 30, 2020
- Test Center Change Deadline: N/A (LSAT-Flex)
- Registration Refund: October 18, 2020
- Registration Withdrawal: November 6, 2020
LSAT Registration 2021
January 2021 dates
Here are the LSAC deadlines for the January 2021 LSAT. Remember, the exam will be given remotely on January 16 and 17. To sit for the January exam, you must meet the December LSAT registration deadline.
- Registration Deadline: December 2, 2020
- Accommodation Request Deadline: December 2, 2020
- Assistance Request Deadline: December 20, 2020
- Test Center Change: N/A (LSAT-Flex)
- Test Date Change Deadline: January 2, 2021
February 2021 dates
The February LSAT registration deadline is Wednesday, January 6, 2021. And keep in mind that the February 2021 LSAT will be the LSAT-Flex version given on February 20 and 21.
- Registration Deadline: January 6, 2021
- Accommodation Request Deadline: January 6, 2021
- Assistance Request Deadline: January 31, 2021
- Test Center Change Deadline: N/A (LSAT-Flex)
- Test Date Change Deadline: February 6, 2021
April 2021 dates
The registration deadline for the April 2021 LSAT is February 24, 2021. Specifically, the LSAT-Flex is available to take on April 10 and 11, 2021.
- Registration Deadline: February 24, 2021
- Accommodation Request Deadline: February 24, 2021
- Assistance Request Deadline: March 21, 2021
- Test Center Change Deadline: N/A (LSAT-Flex)
- Test Date Change Deadline: March 27, 2021
LSAT Late Registration
Life happens, and from time to time, we all miss important deadlines. However, if you want to sit for the LSAT on a particular date, you can’t miss the registration deadline. LSAC does not offer late registrations for any reason. In fact, there is a strict deadline of 11:59 PM on the stated dates. In fact, you can’t even request an extension for technical problems. So even if you can’t register because the internet is down, the LSAC website is slow, or the phone lines are full, you’re still out of luck.
Therefore, if you miss your registration, plan to make the next deadline. Thankfully, the LSAT is offered several times a year. Therefore, you only have to wait another month or two.
LSAT Registration Cost
The LSAT registration fee is $200. But this isn’t the only fee you will incur. In addition, you will also have to pay the $195 Credential Assembly Service fee. This fee pays to have your LSAT scores, transcripts, and letters of recommendation sent to your chosen law schools as a single report. Moreover, there is also a $45 Law School Report fee for each school that you plan to apply to.
How to Cancel an LSAT Registration
If you register for the LSAT but are unable (or even unwilling) to take it, you can move or cancel your registration in three ways. However, keep in mind that each withdrawal method has a deadline.
Change your LSAT test date
LSAC allows you to change your LSAT date as long as you do so before your Test Date Change deadline. Generally, your Test Date Change deadline is about a month before your scheduled test date. But always check with LSAC to confirm the exact date.
Your new requested date must be in the same testing year as your old one. (Testing years start on June 1.) There is only one exception. If you are scheduled to take the last LSAT of the testing year, you can request to take it the following testing year as long as your Test Date Change deadline has not passed.
To submit your Test Date Change request, log into your LSAC account and follow the instructions. But the fee is $125, so be sure that your new test date works for you.
To request a LSAT refund
If you no longer wish to sit for the LSAT, you can request a partial refund of $50. However, you must request this partial refund before the LSAC LSAT Registration Refund deadline, which is usually about a month before your scheduled test date. But still, always double-check with LSAC.
Beware that there are certain situations in which LSAC will not refund any of your registration fees. For example, you won’t get a refund if you were denied entry at a testing center because you didn’t have an admission ticket photo or your ID.
To request an LSAT refund, first download and complete the LSAT Refund Request Form. Second, mail a hard copy to LSAC or scan and email it to LSACrefunds@LSAC.org. Next, make sure you fill out the whole form and sign it or it could get rejected. And finally, remember that sending forms through the mail takes time. After all, LSAC must have the request before the deadline.
To withdraw your registration
Even after the Test Date Change and LSAT Registration Refund deadlines, you can still completely withdraw your LSAT registration. In fact, you have until 11:59 PM the night before your scheduled date to withdraw. However, you won’t get a refund of any of your fees. And if you decide to register for the LSAT again down the road, you’ll also have to pay the full registration cost.
To completely withdraw your LSAT registration, first log into your LSAC account. Then, follow the instructions on the “LSAT Status” page.
FAQs
When can you take the LSAT?
The next opportunities to take the LSAT are in the week of November 7, 2020; January 16 and 17, 2021; February 20 and 21, 2021; and April 10 and 11, 2021.
How many months is the LSAT offered?
The LSAT is currently offered several times a year, once every month or two months.
What’s the LSAT registration fee?
The registration fee is $200. Likewise, other basic fees include the Credential Assembly Service fee ($195) and the Law School Report fee ($45 for each law school application).
What’s the LSAT late registration fee?
LSAC does not permit late registrations. Therefore, LSAC does not have a late registration fee.
What to do if you missed an LSAT registration deadline?
If you missed LSAT registration deadlines, the best course of action is to plan to take the next available LSAT. In other words, LSAC does not allow late registrations.
Is there a late registration test?
No. In short, if you do not meet the registration deadlines, you will not be able to take the LSAT. For instance, walk-in registration on the day of the exam is not allowed at testing centers or online in your LSAC account. Additionally, LSAC does not give make-up or late registration tests.
Can you cancel an LSAT registration?
Yes. As long as you haven’t missed your Test Date Change deadline as outlined by LSAC, you can log into your LSAC account and request a new date that is within the same testing year. The fee is $125.
When does the September LSAT registration open?
Registration for the November 2020 to April 2021 LSAT dates is now open. If September 2021 dates are added to the LSAT schedule, we will keep you updated. You can also check the LSAC website.
Final Thoughts
Once you chose an LSAT test date, you must register to take the exam. In conclusion, register as soon as you have picked your date to give yourself some wiggle room if an issue comes up. Remember to stay on top of the other deadlines, too, in case you need accommodations or need to change your test date.
And while you’re meeting your deadlines, don’t forget to stay on top of your studies. If you haven’t selected an LSAT prep course, I have reviews and discounts in this article. On my blog, you can also find advice for studying for the LSAT and what to expect on your LSAT test day. Similarly, I have advice for law school admissions help.
