LSAT 2026–2027 Complete Guide: Dates, Format, Writing and Study Plan
LSAT 2026–2027: what this guide covers
This independent Exams.fit guide organizes the current LSAT testing year for U.S. law-school applicants: dates, registration timing, test structure, scoring-release planning, Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Argumentative Writing, test-center readiness, and a practical study workflow. LSAC is the controlling source for registration, fees, accommodations, scheduling and official test rules.
2026–2027 U.S. and Canada LSAT calendar
| Administration | Primary test dates | Registration deadline | Score release |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | October 7–10, 2026 | August 27, 2026 | October 28, 2026 |
| November 2026 | November 11–14, 2026 | October 1, 2026 | December 2, 2026 |
| January 2027 | January 13–16, 2027 | December 1, 2026 | February 3, 2027 |
| February 2027 | February 12–13, 2027 | December 29, 2026 | March 3, 2027 |
| April 2027 | April 8–10, 2027 | February 25, 2027 | April 28, 2027 |
| June 2027 | June 9–12, 2027 | April 29, 2027 | June 30, 2027 |
LSAC states that receipt deadlines are by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Registration, accommodations, date-change and refund rules can have administration-specific details, so confirm the exact page for the test you plan to take on the official LSAT dates page.
Immediate priority in September 2026
For candidates who did not register for the October 2026 administration, the next major U.S./Canada opportunity is November 2026. LSAC lists October 1, 2026 as the November registration deadline. The November primary test dates are November 11–14, and score release is scheduled for December 2. If November is important for an application cycle, do not wait until the deadline to check account, location and accommodation requirements.
Current LSAT multiple-choice format
The standard LSAT multiple-choice test has four 35-minute sections. Three are scored: two Logical Reasoning sections and one Reading Comprehension section. A fourth variable section is unscored and is used by LSAC to validate future questions. There is a 10-minute intermission between the second and third sections.
| Component | Standard timing | Scoring status |
|---|---|---|
| Logical Reasoning section 1 | 35 minutes | Scored |
| Logical Reasoning section 2 | 35 minutes | Scored |
| Reading Comprehension | 35 minutes | Scored |
| Variable section | 35 minutes | Unscored |
Beginning with the August 2026 LSAT, LSAC is moving toward in-center testing for almost all test takers, with limited exceptions. Use the official LSAT specifications page for current delivery and accommodation rules.
LSAT Argumentative Writing
LSAT Argumentative Writing is separate from the multiple-choice test and remains unscored. LSAC states that it is delivered remotely using secure proctoring software on the candidate's own computer. The standard writing task provides 50 minutes total: 15 minutes for prewriting analysis and 35 minutes for essay writing. A completed and approved writing sample must be on file before a candidate's LSAT score can be released.
Use the official LSAT Argumentative Writing page for current technical requirements and task details.
How to study Logical Reasoning
- Identify the conclusion. Separate what the author is trying to prove from the evidence offered.
- Map the support. Ask which premise is doing the real work and which statements are background.
- Find the gap. For strengthen, weaken, assumption and flaw questions, identify what must be true for the reasoning to work.
- Prephrase before comparing choices. A rough prediction reduces attraction to answer choices that are relevant but do not answer the task.
- Review wrong answers. Classify why each attractive distractor fails: too strong, irrelevant, reversed, unsupported, or addressing the wrong part of the argument.
How to study Reading Comprehension
Do not reduce Reading Comprehension to memorizing details. Track passage structure: the author's purpose, paragraph roles, viewpoints, evidence, concessions and unresolved tensions. After each passage, summarize the passage in one sentence and label the function of each paragraph. For comparative reading, identify the exact point of agreement or disagreement instead of treating the passages as two separate summaries.
Eight-week preparation framework
| Weeks | Main goal |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Diagnostic work, question-type recognition, passage structure and error logging |
| 3–4 | Untimed accuracy on weak Logical Reasoning families and Reading Comprehension passage types |
| 5–6 | Timed 35-minute sections, pacing checkpoints and mixed review |
| 7 | Full official practice under realistic conditions and deep review |
| 8 | Targeted repair, lighter final practice, scheduling and test-day logistics |
Error log that produces useful improvement
- Question type or passage task
- Your original reasoning
- The exact evidence that makes the credited answer better
- Why your chosen answer was tempting
- The rule, clue or structural signal you missed
- Whether time pressure changed your reasoning
- A date to retry a different problem testing the same skill
Registration and test-center planning
The 2026–2027 cycle is moving toward in-center testing for almost all candidates. Registering for an administration and scheduling an exact appointment are separate steps. LSAC posts the scheduling-open date for each administration, and registered test takers receive scheduling information. Candidates with disability-related accommodation needs should use LSAC's current accommodation process and deadlines rather than assuming a remote option is available.
Frequently asked questions
How many scored sections are on the LSAT?
Three multiple-choice sections are scored: two Logical Reasoning sections and one Reading Comprehension section. A fourth variable section is unscored.
How long is each multiple-choice section?
The standard section length is 35 minutes, with a 10-minute intermission between sections two and three.
Is LSAT Argumentative Writing scored?
No. It is unscored, but LSAC requires an approved writing sample on file before releasing an LSAT score.
What is the current LSAT registration fee?
LSAC currently lists the LSAT registration fee as $253. Fee-waiver eligibility and other service charges are controlled by LSAC and should be checked before payment.
Official sources
- LSAT dates, deadlines and score release dates
- LSAT registration and current fee
- LSAT specifications and delivery format
- Official LSAT question-type overview
- LSAT Argumentative Writing
Source review date: September 13, 2026. Recheck LSAC before acting on dates, fees, availability, accommodations or technical requirements.