Administration of the LSAT

Disclosed LSAT Test Dates

The LSAT is currently offered a total of nine times per testing year, with the testing year beginning in June. Three of these test offerings are what LSAC refers to as "disclosed LSAT administrations." Disclosed LSATs for the next scheduled testing year will be held in June, September, and November. Students who take disclosed LSAT administrations are given perpetual access to copies of their answer sheets and six months of online access to the test sections that contributed to their score.

Nondisclosed LSAT Test Dates

Nondisclosed LSAT administrations are identical to disclosed administrations in test content and timing but not in availability and score reporting. Nondisclosed LSATs are available six times per testing year (July, October, January, February, March, and April). A nondisclosed LSAT does not include access to answer sheets or test sections.

Reasons for Nondisclosed Testing

LSAC's stated reason for disclosing only some LSAT administrations is to ensure that "nondisclosed test forms [are] available for emergencies and special uses." The issue is primarily one of test security. Once a specific version of a disclosed LSAT has been used, the questions and answers become public knowledge. By keeping some versions of the test undisclosed, LSAC is able to offer secure LSAT testing for smaller groups of test-takers (e.g. international students or make-up tests for inclement weather).

International, Spanish, and Alternative LSAT Testing

The LSAT is available at test centers overseas, but test dates are much more limited. There are currently four international LSAT administrations per testing year (July, September or October, November, and January), but the vast majority of international test centers offer at most two of these. The LSAC website lists international test dates, which are indexed by country. LSAC has created a Spanish version of the LSAT, but it may only be taken by applicants to three law schools in Puerto Rico (the University of Puerto Rico School of Law, Inter American University School of Law, and Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico School of Law). The Spanish LSAT is only available once per year (in January) and at two authorized test centers in Puerto Rico. LSAC also provides alternative test dates for students who observe the Sabbath on Saturdays. Such administrations are usually held on the Monday following the official Saturday test.

LSAT Administration Policies

Admission to LSAT testing centers requires a printed admission ticket, valid photo identification, and at least three no. 2 pencils. The admission ticket, which must have a photograph of the test-taker, may be printed out at registration. Photo identification must be government-issued and current, such as a driver's license, passport, or military ID. Students taking the LSAT must bring their own pencils and pencil sharpeners, neither of which will be provided by the test center (pencils are necessary for all test-takers, either for the paper exam or for digital LSAT scratch work).

Accommodated Testing for Disabled Students

Test-takers in need of accommodations for the LSAT must first register for the exam under the regular procedure (online or phone). The process for requesting accommodations involves filling out three forms that outline the nature of the student's disability, provide documentation of that disability, and describe the desired supports. Accommodations available include extended testing time and alternative testing formats.

Score Reporting Procedures

LSAT scores are typically reported approximately 3-4 weeks after the test date (the LSAC website lists score release dates for each LSAT administration). If the test-taker registered for an LSAC.org account, he or she will be automatically emailed when scores are available. If the student has no such account, his or her scores will be (postal) mailed. Online account holders receive their scores after about three weeks, while those without online accounts must wait roughly one week longer. Timelines for score reporting to law schools can be affected by those institutions' administrative procedures; test-takers are therefore advised to follow all suggested deadlines.