LSAT Exam 2026: Complete Guide 2026 (Dates, Fees, Format, Prep Plan, and Registration)

If you’re planning law school applications in the U.S. or Canada, building a smart timeline around the LSAT exam 2026 is one of the biggest levers you control. This guide brings together the latest official LSAC updates for the 2025–2026 testing cycle—test dates, deadlines, fees, format, scoring, and a practical study plan—so you can plan confidently and avoid last-minute surprises.

What’s New (and What Matters Most) for LSAT Exam 2026

The LSAT has evolved recently, and the 2025–2026 cycle continues those changes:

• No Logic Games (Analytical Reasoning). LSAC removed the Logic Games section and shifted to more Logical Reasoning. Practically, that means your prep should heavily emphasize LR skills (argument structure, assumptions, strengthening/weaking, inference).

• Current LSAT structure = 3 scored sections + 1 unscored. The multiple-choice exam has four 35-minute sections: three scored and one unscored (experimental/variable).

• LSAT Argumentative Writing stays unscored and is taken separately online. For the 2025–2026 testing cycle, LSAT Argumentative Writing remains unscored and is delivered online with proctoring software (on-demand).

• You can take the LSAT remotely or at a test center (most test takers). LSAC (via Prometric) continues to offer both online live remote-proctored and in-person test center modalities for the 2025–2026 cycle.

LSAT Exam 2026 Dates, Deadlines, and Score Release (Official LSAC Schedule)

Below are the major U.S./Canada administrations shown on LSAC’s official “LSAT Dates, Deadlines, and Score Release Dates” page. All dates are listed in Eastern Time (ET) by LSAC.

LSAT Administration (2026)	Primary Test Dates	Registration Deadline	Scheduling Opens	Score Release
January 2026	Jan 7–10, 2026	Nov 28, 2025	Dec 18, 2025	Jan 28, 2026
February 2026	Feb 6–7, 2026	Dec 23, 2025	Jan 20, 2026	Feb 25, 2026
April 2026	Apr 9–11, 2026	Feb 26, 2026	Mar 24, 2026	Apr 29, 2026
June 2026	Jun 3–6, 2026	Apr 21, 2026	May 19, 2026	Jun 24, 2026

International test dates: LSAC also lists international administrations (for example: January 9, April 10, and June 5, 2026 for international windows). Always confirm your region tab on LSAC before registering.

Important: For most administrations, the registration deadline is also the last day to request accommodations and certain changes/refunds—LSAC notes that specifics can vary by administration, so check the exact test page for your date.

LSAT Format 2026: Sections, Timing, and What You’ll See on Test Day

Multiple-choice portion (scored + unscored)

The LSAT multiple-choice test includes:

• Four sections total

• 35 minutes each

• Three scored sections

• One unscored (experimental/variable) section that can be Logical Reasoning or Reading Comprehension and may appear anywhere in the test

Scored sections (current cycle):

• Logical Reasoning (2 scored sections)

• Reading Comprehension (1 scored section) 

LSAT Argumentative Writing (separate, unscored)

LSAT Argumentative Writing is:

• Unscored

• Taken separately from the multiple-choice exam

• Online proctored, on-demand, using secure proctoring software installed on your computer

LSAC also provides administration-specific “opens” dates for writing (often before your test window), which appear on the LSAC dates table.

LSAT Scoring (2026): What the Numbers Mean

LSAC reports LSAT scores on a 120–180 scale. Your raw score (questions correct) is converted to a scaled score so scores are comparable across different test forms.

What’s a “good” score? It depends on your target schools. A practical approach:

• Pick 5–10 target schools

• Note their median LSATs (usually published in class profiles)

• Set a goal score that is competitive for your GPA band

LSAT Exam 2026 Fees and Realistic Budget (LSAC Official)

From LSAC’s official fees page (USD):

• LSAT registration (includes LSAT Argumentative Writing): $248 

• Credential Assembly Service (CAS): $215 

• CAS Report (per law school): $45 each 

Fee waiver (if eligible)

LSAC offers a fee waiver program for financially under-resourced prospective law students (primarily U.S./Canada applicants) that can cover many costs (including CAS and multiple CAS reports, depending on the waiver tier).

How to Register for the LSAT Exam 2026 (Step-by-Step)

Here’s the clean, no-stress path:

1. Create your LSAC JD Account (this is your hub for registration, writing, scores, and CAS).

2. Choose your administration (January/February/April/June 2026, etc.) using LSAC’s official date table.

3. Register before the deadline (deadlines are strict and time-zoned to ET).

4. Schedule your test time with Prometric when scheduling opens (LSAC emails registered test takers when scheduling becomes available).

5. Pick your modality: remote live proctoring or in-person at a Prometric test center (most test takers can choose).

6. Complete LSAT Argumentative Writing within the allowed window (it’s separate and online).

LSAT Exam 2026 Preparation Plan (Practical and Score-Driven)

A 12–16 week plan works for most serious test takers. Adjust up if you’re balancing a full course load or job.

Phase 1 (Weeks 1–3): Foundations + Diagnostics

• Take one timed diagnostic (don’t overanalyze; it’s a baseline)

• Learn core LR tools: conclusion/premise identification, common flaws, conditional logic basics

• Learn RC approach: passage mapping + viewpoint tracking

Phase 2 (Weeks 4–9): Skill-building + Targeted Drills

• Logical Reasoning (priority): drill by question type (assumption, strengthen/weaken, flaw, inference)

• Reading Comprehension: practice accuracy first, then speed; review wrong answers deeply

• Start mixing in 35-minute timed sections to build pacing

Phase 3 (Weeks 10–16): Full Practice Tests + Review Cycles

• Do 2 full tests/week (or 1/week if time is tight)

• Spend more time reviewing than testing:

  • Why is the right answer right?

  • Why are the wrong answers wrong?

  • What pattern caused your mistake?

Use official-style practice materials

LSAC’s LawHub provides official PrepTests in the authentic interface—LSAC notes that four full PrepTests are free, and LawHub Advantage offers broader access for one year (pricing shown by LSAC).

Retake Rules: How Many Times Can You Take the LSAT?

LSAC’s official policy states test takers are permitted to take the LSAT:

• Five times within the current reportable score period (since June 2020)

• Seven times over a lifetime 

Because retakes are limited, it’s usually smarter to postpone a test date than to take an “underprepared attempt.”

Choosing the Best LSAT Exam 2026 Test Date (Strategy)

Use these quick rules:

• Applying early in the cycle? Target June 2026 if you want a score in hand for earlier application timing, since scores release June 24, 2026.

• Need a second attempt buffer? Take April 2026, leaving room for June.

• Already applying this year and need a fast turnaround? January/February score releases are listed on LSAC’s table—plan backwards from application deadlines.

• International test taker? Confirm international windows (they can differ).

FAQ: LSAT Exam 2026

1) What is the LSAT exam 2026 format?

The LSAT exam 2026 multiple-choice portion has four 35-minute sections: three scored and one unscored (experimental) section that may be Logical Reasoning or Reading Comprehension. The test also includes LSAT Argumentative Writing, which is unscored and taken separately online.

2) What are the official LSAT 2026 dates?

LSAC lists U.S./Canada administrations in January, February, April, and June 2026, with specific test windows and score release dates. Always verify your region on LSAC’s official dates page.

3) How much does the LSAT cost in 2026?

LSAC lists $248 for LSAT registration (including writing), $215 for CAS, and $45 per CAS report sent to a law school.

4) Can I take the LSAT from home?

Yes—LSAC continues to offer an online, live remote-proctored LSAT option (through Prometric) for the 2025–2026 testing year, and many test takers also have the option to test in person at a Prometric center.

5) What is the LSAT score range?

LSAT scores are reported on a 120–180 scale.

CTA: Start Your LSAT Exam 2026 Plan (Official Links)

Use these official pages to lock your timeline, fees, and prep materials:

LSAC official LSAT dates/deadlines (2026): https://www.lsac.org/LSATdates
LSAT registration hub: https://www.lsac.org/lsat/register-lsat
LSAT & CAS fees (official): https://www.lsac.org/lsat/register-lsat/lsat-cas-fees
LSAT scoring (120–180 scale): https://www.lsac.org/lsat/lsat-scoring
LSAT question types & format overview: https://www.lsac.org/lsat/prepare/types-lsat-questions
Official LSAT practice tests (LawHub): https://www.lsac.org/lsat/prepare/official-lsat-practice-tests
LawHub platform overview: https://www.lsac.org/lawhub
LSAT Argumentative Writing (official): https://www.lsac.org/lsat/about/lsat-argumentative-writing
Retake limits (official policy): https://www.lsac.org/about/lsac-policies/limits-on-repeating-lsat