LSAC has made the October 2010, December 2010, and February 2011 LSAT test dates a week later than they normally would've been (compared to test dates in previous years). The June 2010 LSAT's test date (June 7) remains the same, though.(This is a little ironic since the June test date doesn't matter nearly as much, given that applicants can't start applying until the fall).
I'm including historical and current LSAT test dates at the end of this blog post to give you a sense of the shift.
Why This All Matters:
For June Test-Takers
This gives June test-takers the opportunity to submit their applications to some schools as much as 8.5 weeks earlier than October test-takers. June test-takers have never had this great an advantage over October LSAT-takers when it comes to timing.
For October/December Test-Takers
October test-takers can still apply relatively early in the cycle, but every week counts. It's especially important for October/December test-takers to get their applications together while waiting for the LSAT score. Submit everything the moment the score comes back.
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 release date is March 7th, 2011. 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 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 this 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.
The February LSAT's always been late, and now it's even later.
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
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
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
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
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