The LSAT test dates for the 2011-2012 admission cycle (PDF) (June 2011 - February 2012) have finally been released by LSAC.For this past cycle, the LSAT test dates for October 2010, December 2010, and February 2011 LSATs were a week later than usual. (You can see previous LSAT test dates below.)
However, for the upcoming cycle, things appear to be largely back to normal.
The September/October 2011 LSAT is back to being the first Saturday in October (the Sep/Oct LSAT is typically the 1st Saturday in October or the last Saturday in September).
The December 2011 LSAT is back to being the first Saturday in December, as the December LSAT typically has been.
However, the February 2012 LSAT is a week later than usual again.
A few possible explanations:
1. LSAC is simply trying to spread out the LSAT test dates more (since the largest gap between LSATs is the one between February and June).
2. LSAC wants the February 2012 LSAT to be closer to 12-21-2012, the end of the Mayan calendar (and the world). This way, Feburary 2012 LSAT-takers will spend more of their precious days on Earth studying without ever going to law school. Mean, huh?
3. LSAC just likes punishing most February LSAT-takers by making them apply even later in the cycle than they already are.
At the very bottom of this blog post, I've included some thoughts from my previous LSAT test dates blog post about why the February test being later than typical is bad news.
Evidence - LSAT Test Administration Dates Over Time:
June Test Dates
Monday, June 6, 2005
Monday, June 12, 2006
Monday, June 11, 2007
Monday, June 16, 2008
Monday, June 8, 2009
Monday, June 7, 2010
Monday, June 6, 2011
September / October Test Dates
Saturday, October 2, 2004
Saturday, October 1, 2005
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Saturday, October 1, 2011
December Test Dates
Saturday, December 4, 2004
Saturday, December 3, 2005
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Saturday, December 3, 2011
February Test Dates
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Saturday, February 4, 2006
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Saturday, February 11, 2012
For February Test-Takers
Taking the LSAT this late in the cycle was less than ideal already, so you really didn't need it to be a week later. When the LSAT test date moving a week later, the score release date also moves a week later. The February 2011 LSAT's scheduled score release date is March 7th, 2011, and the February 2012 LSAT's scheduled score release date is March 7, 2012. Even though LSAC generally releases scores a few days early, they don't release February LSAT scores a full week early.
The especially-bad news - some law schools have March 1st application deadlines.
This means a February 2011 LSAT / February 2012 LSAT score won't do you any good for that cycle if your desired law school has a March 1st deadline. You need to look into your particular law school's application deadlines to determine this sooner rather than later.
If you're set on applying in the upcoming cycle (and especially if your school has a March 1st deadline), I'd recommend taking the LSAT in June or October to give yourself another test (October or December, respectively) to fall back on.
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Hi Steve,
ReplyDeleteI have question. If I already have a LSAT score from the October test and I took the Dec test, does that mean if I submitted my app right now, they would begin reviewing my application with only my Oct score? So I would have to tell each school specifically to hold my application until my Dec score comes out? Will it make a big difference if my app's on hold compared to me submitting it the day the scores come out? Basically is there an advantage for me to submit my app right now even tho my most recent score hasn't come out yet.
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteNot worth the risk that they'd accidentally review it without considering the December score. Better to get everything ready but not go through with submitting the application until you get your December score.
Steve,
ReplyDeleteI would like to purchase your day-to-day 7 month schedule, but I am taking the October 2011 LSAT. Should I wait for an updated one or go ahead and buy your current one made for the Feb/June LSATs?
AJ
Hi AJ,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment!
I've just updated the 7-month day-by-day schedule for the October 2011 LSAT, so there's no need to wait.
Steve,
ReplyDeleteDo you happen to know any law school that gives scholarships to international students?
Leo
Steve,
ReplyDeleteEver since I found out that the LSAT is graded on a curve I've wondered 'Is there a trend of certain test dates having higher scores?' i.e. Is it more likely that people who are less committed to law school take the LSAT in February rather than June, and assuming those who are less committed study less, would the average person be MORE likely to get a higher score if they took the test in February?
Do you know of any legal schools that provide scholarships to international students?
ReplyDelete