(This post is based upon the assumption that you're taking the LSAT less than a year before you intend to apply to law school. If you're planning way ahead, this won't apply to you.)Benefits of taking the June LSAT
- It's better for your law school admissions chances because it allows you to apply at the beginning of the admissions cycle. Law schools typically begin accepting applications September 1, September 15, October 1, or October 15. Applying at the beginning of the cycle is especially important for top law schools.
- You can be done with the LSAT sooner. If the June LSAT goes well, you can be done with it for good and relax this summer.
- You have more chances to retake. If the June LSAT doesn't go well (or if you're sick, have a family issue, someone vomits on you during the test, etc.) and you have to retake, you can retake in October and still apply relatively early in the cycle.
- The June LSAT is the only LSAT offered in the afternoon. No need to get on an early sleep schedule. If you take it outside a city, you may not have to go to the trouble of sleeping away from home the night before.
- The June LSAT is the only LSAT offered on a Monday. Normally, Sabbath observers have to take the LSAT on a different date than everyone else, and LSAC does not release Sabbath tests (scroll to bottom). This means Sabbath test-takers never get to see their exam booklet and answer sheet. However, because the regular June LSAT is on a Monday, all test-takers (except those outside North America) get to see their exam booklet and answer sheet. This is useful for planning a retake.
Benefits of taking the October LSAT
- Maybe you like getting up super-early, and the afternoon is too late for you to think.
- You don't have to (seriously) begin your studying now.
- Additionally, if you're a college student, consider:
* The June LSAT is offered soon after most schools' final exams typically end. You might not want to divide your attention between finals and LSAT studying in April and May.
* The October LSAT allows you the entire summer to study without being distracted by schoolwork (if you don't take summer classes). You still have to get through the first 1.5 months of the semester or so, but things probably won't be too intense that early in the semester. If you use the summer wisely, you can get through the vast majority of your LSAT studying then.
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What do you all think? What's impacting your decision re: June vs. October?
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JUNE / OCT Pros and Cons: How vital is the early application factor? I like the amount of prep time I have for October and I would have to travel to the June test center. But with the later test date, do I hamper my application by applying as the pool deepens when the Oct scores become available at the end of the month. Any thoughts on the balance? - Leo
ReplyDeleteHi Leo,
ReplyDeleteHaving read tons and tons of material on this issue and other similar issues, the issue is this. If taking the test in October means at least 2-3 more points on the LSAT (which by all means is possible even with far from full-time studying) you should take it in October.
Everyone even advises you to take the test in December if it's true that you'll seriously gain points on the LSAT.
A few LSAT points is more important than applying early.
Hi Steve,
ReplyDeleteI am set to take the June 2011 LSAT and have a few concerns. I have been studying for about the past two months now (since Jan17th) and have, so far, followed your 5 month week by week schedule.
I completed the LGB in the first month and just finished the LRB, drilled several timed sections of LR and LG from PT 29-38, have completed 5 full timed tests (PT 24-28) to track my progress and have read all the relevant blog posts on LR and LG.
I am set to start Reading Comp after this week, however I am really worried about my inability to improve on my time in sections I have tried to master so far. It's taking me an average of 15 min per game to get them all perfect on my LG sections.
I have decided to purchase your 3 month schedule and work on it backwards so that I can start with Reading Comp in the next week as planned and then come back to LR and LG. Does this sound like a good plan? Any suggestions?
PS Thanks so much for your help! This blog kicks ass!
I think the June test being administered later in the day can be a huge factor. I took the recent October administration and had a difficult time by the 3rd section. Even though I get up at 6:00 or so every day, the LSAT is a whole 'nother best.
ReplyDelete