When Should I Start Studying for the LSAT

Start studying for the LSAT about three to six months before your test date. Begin with a full-length diagnostic to set your baseline, build fundamentals by question type early, then shift to timed, full-length practice tests in the final six to eight weeks. Lovare's free diagnostic tells you exactly where to start.

By Ali Unar, JD candidate at Georgetown Law and founder of Lovare Institut. Last updated August 2026. Every figure on this page was verified in August 2026 against the sources listed below.

When should I start studying for the LSAT?

You should start studying for the LSAT about three to six months before your intended test date. Three months suits students whose diagnostic sits close to their target score, while five to six months fits a larger gap or a heavier work and school schedule. The key is enough runway to learn fundamentals before you drill under timed conditions.

What does a good LSAT study timeline look like?

A good LSAT timeline moves from baseline to fundamentals to full-length testing. This structure keeps the hardest, most realistic practice for when you are ready for it.

1. Weeks 1 to 2: take a diagnostic and set up a wrong-answer journal.
2. Early weeks: learn each Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension question type untimed.
3. Middle weeks: add timing section by section.
4. Final six to eight weeks: take weekly full-length practice tests and review every miss.

What factors change when you should start?

Several factors shift your LSAT start date earlier. A large gap between your diagnostic and target score, a demanding job or course load, or a plan to apply early in a rolling admissions cycle all argue for starting sooner. Registration and score-release timing also matter, so check the calendar before you commit. According to LSAC's LSAT dates calendar, upcoming LSAT administrations run September 2026 through June 2027; for example, September 2026 scores are released on September 30, 2026.

What should you do first once you decide to start?

Once you decide to start studying, take a full-length diagnostic before anything else, because it sets your baseline and reveals your weak question types. Then choose a realistic test date that leaves room for a possible retake within the same cycle. Block regular study sessions into your week so practice becomes routine rather than occasional.

Frequently asked questions

How long should I study for the LSAT?

Plan for about three to six months of steady LSAT study, set by the gap between your diagnostic and your target score. A near-target diagnostic may need only two to three months, while a wide gap can need six or more. Keep the final weeks for timed, full-length practice tests.

When should I start studying?

Start about three to six months before your LSAT date, and earlier if your diagnostic sits far from target or your schedule is busy. Beginning with a diagnostic makes the first weeks productive. An earlier start also protects your option to retake the LSAT within the same application cycle.

How do I improve reading comp?

Give Reading Comprehension steady attention across your whole timeline rather than cramming it late. Read each passage for structure first: main point, author's stance, and viewpoint shifts. Practice untimed until accuracy is high, then add timing, and log misses by question type so recurring traps become obvious.

Sources

• LSAC LSAT Dates and Score Release

Verified August 2026.