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2026 LSAT Schedule: Strategic Study Plan for Maximum Success

Planning your LSAT schedule feels overwhelming. Between choosing the right test date, creating a study plan, and balancing everything else in your life, it's easy to feel lost before you even start. But you should also know that success on the LSAT isn't about luck or natural talent. It's about strategic planning and consistent preparation.


Whether you're aiming for January 2026 or planning for a later test date, this guide gives you everything you need. We'll break down the official 2026 LSAT schedule, help you choose the best test date for your goals, and provide a proven 12-week study plan that actually works.


Official 2026 LSAT Test Dates and Deadlines

The Law School Admission Council has confirmed four LSAT administrations for 2026. Here's your complete reference guide with all the important dates:

Test Month

Primary Test Dates

Registration Deadline

LSAT Writing Opens

Score Release Date

Test Fee

January 2026

Jan 7-10, 2026

November 28, 2025

December 30, 2025

January 28, 2026

$248

February 2026

Feb 6-7, 2026

December 23, 2025

January 29, 2026

February 25, 2026

$248

April 2026

Apr 9-11, 2026

February 26, 2026

April 1, 2026

April 29, 2026

$248

June 2026

Jun 3-6, 2026

April 21, 2026

May 26, 2026

June 24, 2026

$248

Important Notes:

  • All deadlines are 11:59 PM Eastern Time

  • Testing accommodations requests are due by registration deadlines

  • Scores require a completed LSAT Argumentative Writing sample

  • Registration opens approximately 10-12 weeks before each test date


Choosing Your Ideal LSAT Test Date

Not all test dates work equally well for everyone. Your ideal date depends on your law school application timeline, current preparation level, and personal schedule. Here's how to decide:


Take the January 2026 LSAT if:

  • You're applying for Fall 2026 admission and need scores by early February

  • You have November and December free for intensive studying

  • You want to give yourself time for a retake if needed


Take the April 2026 LSAT if:

  • You're applying for Fall 2027 admission

  • You want your entire spring break for final preparation

  • You prefer warmer weather and longer days for studying


Take the June 2026 LSAT if:

  • You're a college student with a lighter summer schedule

  • You want maximum preparation time

  • You're planning to apply early in the Fall 2026 cycle for Spring 2027 admission


The best strategy? Take the LSAT when you're consistently scoring at or above your target score on practice tests. Rushing to meet an early deadline rarely pays off.


Ready to create your personalized LSAT strategy? Schedule a free consultation with LawPrep180 and work with an expert who scored in the 99th percentile. Get a customized study plan that fits your schedule and maximizes your score potential.


Comprehensive 12-Week Strategic LSAT Study Schedule for 2026 (with specific tasks)

This study plan assumes you have 10-15 hours per week to dedicate to LSAT prep. If you have more or less time, adjust the daily tasks accordingly while keeping the weekly goals intact. The plan works for any 2026 test date, just count backward 12 weeks from your chosen exam date.

Weeks 1-2: Foundation Building

Week 1 Goals: Understand LSAT structure, take diagnostic test, establish baseline score

Day

Focus Area

Time

Specific Tasks

Day 1

Diagnostic Test

3 hours

Take a full official practice test (timed). Don't review answers yet—just get your baseline score.

Day 2

Logical Reasoning Intro

2.5 hours

Learn question types, argument structure, and basic strategies. Practice 10 easy questions untimed.

Day 3

Reading Comprehension Intro

2.5 hours

Learn passage mapping techniques. Complete 2 passages untimed, focusing on main ideas and structure.

Day 4

Review Day

2 hours

Review diagnostic test. Identify your weakest section and question types. Create an error log.


Week 2 Goals: Master fundamental concepts and build good habits

Day

Focus Area

Time

Specific Tasks

Day 1

Logical Reasoning Deep Dive

3 hours

Study assumption questions and strengthen/weaken questions. Complete 15 practice questions.

Day 2

Reading Comprehension Practice

2.5 hours

Practice annotation and timing. Complete 3 passages, aiming for 8.5 minutes per passage.

Day 3

Mixed Practice

3 hours

Complete one timed LR section and review thoroughly. Focus on understanding wrong answers.

Day 4

Vocabulary Building

1.5 hours

Work through LawPrep180's free LSAT vocabulary test to strengthen comprehension.


Weeks 3-4: Skill Development

Week 3 Goals: Develop timing strategies and increase accuracy

Day

Focus Area

Time

Specific Tasks

Day 1

Logical Reasoning Mastery

3 hours

Focus on flawed questions and inference questions. Complete 20 mixed questions with a 1.5-minute per question goal.

Day 2

Reading Comprehension Speed

2.5 hours

Practice with harder passages. Work on reducing the time to 8 minutes per passage without sacrificing accuracy.

Day 3

Timed Section Practice

3 hours

Complete one full LR section and one full RC section under timed conditions. Review thoroughly.

Day 4

Weakness Review

2 hours

Identify patterns in your error log. Review concepts and redo questions you missed.


Week 4 Goals: First progress check and strategy refinement

Day

Focus Area

Time

Specific Tasks

Day 1

Mixed Logical Reasoning

3 hours

Complete 30 questions covering all question types. Focus on your weakest areas.

Day 2

Reading Comprehension

2.5 hours

Complete 4 full passages with questions. Practice different passage types (science, law, humanities).

Day 3

Practice Test #1

3.5 hours

Take your first full-time practice test. Simulate real test conditions.

Day 4

Test Review

2.5 hours

Thoroughly review Practice Test #1. Update your error log and identify new patterns.


Weeks 5-8: Intensive Practice Phase

Week 5-6 Goals: Build stamina and refine strategies

Week

Study Days

Daily Tasks

Week 5

4 days, 3 hours each

Complete 2 timed LR sections and 1 timed RC section.

Full practice test.

Review and error log update.

Week 6

4 days, 3 hours each

Focus on your weakest question types with 40+ targeted questions. Timed section practice. 

Review all week's work.


Week 7-8 Goals: Peak performance development

Week

Study Days

Daily Tasks

Week 7

4 days, 3 hours each

Timed section drills with score tracking.

Practice Test and comprehensive review session.

Week 8

4 days, 3 hours each

Advanced question practice and timing refinement. 

Practice Test and identify final areas for improvement.


Weeks 9-11: Fine-Tuning and Confidence Building

Week 9 Goals: Address remaining weaknesses

Day

Focus Area

Time

Specific Tasks

Day 1

Targeted Weakness Practice

3 hours

Complete 50 questions from your weakest areas. Focus on accuracy over speed.

Day 2

Full Section Drills

3 hours

Complete 2 full sections (your choice) under timed conditions.

Day 3

Practice Test 

3.5 hours

Take a full practice test. Focus on maintaining energy throughout.

Day 4

Strategic Review

2.5 hours

Review test results. Refine your test-day strategy for skipping questions and time management.


Week 10-11 Goals: Maintain skills and build confidence

Week

Study Days

Daily Tasks

Week 10

3 days, 2.5 hours each

Light practice focusing on your strongest areas. Complete 1 timed section daily. Keep skills sharp without burning out.

Week 11

3 days, 3 hours each

Day 1-2: One timed section each day with thorough review. Day 3: Practice Test #6 (your final practice test).


Week 12: Test Week Preparation

Goals: Rest, review strategies, and prepare mentally

Day

Focus Area

Time

Specific Tasks

Day 1-2

Light Review

1 hour each

Review your error log and note patterns. Go through strategy notes. No new material.

Day 3

Rest Day

0 hours

Take the day completely off from LSAT prep. Do something relaxing and enjoyable.

Day 4

Final Review

1.5 hours

Review test-day procedures, timing strategies, and confidence-building notes. Practice 10 easy warm-up questions.

Day 5

Pre-Test Day

30 minutes

Prepare everything for the test day. Review what to bring. Go to bed early.

Day 6

TEST DAY

---

Execute your plan. Trust your preparation. Stay calm and focused.


Essential Study Resources for Your LSAT Schedule

Your study plan is only as good as the materials you use. Here are the resources that should form the foundation of your preparation:


Official LSAT PrepTests (Must-Have) The LSAC LawHub platform provides access to over 60 official practice tests. These are real LSAT questions from past exams; nothing comes closer to the actual test.


LawPrep180 Free Resources Build a stronger vocabulary foundation with LawPrep180's free vocabulary test. The test is mobile-friendly, making it perfect for daily 10-15 minute practice sessions.


Question-Type Focused Practice: Use resources that allow you to practice common LSAT questions and answers. When you identify weaknesses in your error log, you need to be able to drill into those specific areas intensively.

For personal guidance, explore proven LSAT test preparation strategies.


Conclusion

The 2026 LSAT schedule gives you multiple opportunities to achieve your target score. The key is choosing the right test date for your timeline and committing to a structured study plan.

Remember these core principles:


  • Start your preparation at least 12 weeks before your test date

  • Use official LSAT practice materials for the most accurate preparation

  • Build your vocabulary with resources like LawPrep180's free vocabulary test

  • Track your progress with detailed error logs

  • Take full-length practice tests under real test conditions

  • Rest is as important as studying


Ready to maximize your LSAT score with expert guidance?

Schedule a free consultation with LawPrep180 today. Work one-on-one with a tutor who has over 15 years of experience. Get a personalized study plan, learn advanced test-taking strategies, and receive ongoing support throughout your preparation. With LawPrep180's proven approach, students regularly achieve score improvements of 14+ points.


Your dream law school is within reach. Choose your 2026 LSAT date, commit to your study schedule, and trust the process.


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