LSAT 2026–27: test dates, format, how to register and free practice tests
The LSAT (Law School Admission Test) is run by LSAC, the Law School Admission Council, and most ABA-approved law schools ask for it as part of a JD application. It is given in fixed administrations several times a year. The next one in the US and Canada runs 11 to 14 November 2026; the next with a deadline still open is January 2027 (13 to 16 January), register by 1 December 2026 (LSAC, checked 20 October 2026). This guide lists the dates, the registration steps, the current pattern and a study plan.
LSAT at a glance
| Conducting body | LSAC (Law School Admission Council) |
| What it is for | Admission to law school (JD) |
| Mode | Multiple-choice on a computer, moving to test centres for almost all test takers from August 2026; Argumentative Writing taken remotely |
| Questions | About 76 to 79 scored, in two Logical Reasoning sections and one Reading Comprehension section, plus one unscored section |
| Time | Four 35-minute sections plus a 10-minute break; writing is a separate 50 minutes |
| Marking | Scaled 120 to 180; no deduction for a wrong answer |
| Language | English |
| How often | Seven US and Canada administrations from September 2026 to June 2027 |
| Official website | lsac.org |
LSAT exam dates 2026–27
From LSAC's dates and deadlines page, checked 20 October 2026 (all in Eastern Time; LSAC says dates may change):
| Administration (US and Canada) | Test dates | Registration deadline |
|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | 11 to 14 November 2026 | 1 October 2026 (passed) |
| January 2027 | 13 to 16 January 2027 | 1 December 2026 |
| February 2027 | 12 and 13 February 2027 | 29 December 2026 |
| April 2027 | 8 to 10 April 2027 | 25 February 2027 |
| June 2027 | 9 to 12 June 2027 | 29 April 2027 |
International administrations: January 2027 (15 and 16 January, deadline 1 December 2026), April 2027 (9 and 10 April, deadline 25 February 2027) and June 2027 (11 and 12 June, deadline 29 April 2027). A separate Puerto Rico administration runs 18 to 20 February 2027, deadline 5 January 2027.
How to register for the LSAT
- Go to LSAC's register page and choose "Register for the LSAT"; registration runs in LSAC's online system. As of 20 October 2026 the page says you can register through the June 2027 administration.
- Choose an administration before its deadline and pay. The page listed the LSAT registration fee as $253 on 20 October 2026; other LSAT fees are on LSAC's fees page.
- If you need accommodations, request them through JD Services after registering.
- Plan your Argumentative Writing sample: it is taken remotely and on demand, and a completed, approved sample must be on file before your score is released.
- Read LSAC's rules for changing your test date, withdrawing and refunds; deadlines and fees apply.
Keep ready: a valid ID that matches your LSAC account, a payment card, and a quiet room and computer for the writing sample.
LSAT exam pattern
Since the August 2024 test, Analytical Reasoning (Logic Games) is no longer part of the LSAT.
| Section | Questions | Time | What it tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logical Reasoning 1 (scored) | 25 or 26 | 35 minutes | Short arguments: assumption, flaw, strengthen, weaken, inference, principle, parallel reasoning |
| Logical Reasoning 2 (scored) | 25 or 26 | 35 minutes | The same tasks |
| Reading Comprehension (scored) | 27 in four sets | 35 minutes | Long passages and one comparative pair; main idea, detail, inference, structure, attitude |
| Unscored variable section | about 25 to 27 | 35 minutes | Logical Reasoning or Reading Comprehension, used to try out questions |
| Argumentative Writing | 1 essay | 50 minutes (15 prewriting, 35 writing) | Take a position on a debatable issue; unscored |
A 10-minute intermission falls between the second and third sections, and the order of sections can vary. The raw score is the number of scored questions right, each weighted equally; it is equated to the 120 to 180 scale for each administration.
LSAT syllabus
- Logical Reasoning: reading a short argument and finding its conclusion, assumptions and flaws, or the answer that strengthens, weakens or follows from it. No named fallacies need to be memorised.
- Reading Comprehension: dense passages in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and law; no outside knowledge needed.
- Argumentative Writing: a clear position that deals with at least one opposing perspective.
See our LSAT syllabus page.
A plan for the weeks before the January 2027 LSAT
| Weeks | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Register before 1 December. Take one full LSAT mock test and log every missed question by type. |
| 2 to 4 | Logical Reasoning every day: 20 questions, untimed first, then timed. Name the conclusion before you read the choices. |
| 5 | Second full mock. Reading Comprehension: one passage a day, mapping the main point and each paragraph's role. |
| 6 to 7 | Timed 35-minute sections, alternating LR and RC. Write one practice Argumentative Writing essay. |
| 8 | Third full mock with four sections and the break, then review only. |
With no penalty for a wrong answer, answer every question. How to analyse a mock test helps you turn misses into a plan. Our practice result is a raw score, since LSAC does not publish a conversion that fits every form.
Useful links
- Register for the LSAT (lsac.org)
- LSAT dates and deadlines (lsac.org)
- LSAT specifications (lsac.org)
- Free LSAT mock tests
- LSAT syllabus
- LSAT exam dates
- GRE 2026: test dates and how to book
Frequently asked questions
When is the next LSAT exam date?
The November 2026 LSAT runs 11 to 14 November 2026. The next open registration is January 2027 (13 to 16 January in the US and Canada), with a deadline of 1 December 2026 (LSAC, checked 20 October 2026).
Are Logic Games still on the LSAT?
No. Analytical Reasoning was removed from the August 2024 test and replaced by a second scored Logical Reasoning section.
Is there negative marking in the LSAT?
No. A wrong or blank answer does not reduce the raw score, and every scored question has the same weight.
Is LSAT Argumentative Writing scored?
No, but a completed, approved sample must be on file before LSAC releases your 120 to 180 score.
Can I still take the LSAT at home?
From the August 2026 administration LSAC is moving the multiple-choice test into test centres for almost all test takers. Argumentative Writing stays remote.