When to Start Studying for LSAT

When to start studying for the LSAT is easiest to set by working backward: pick your application deadline, choose an LSAT date whose scores land before it, then count back three to six months to your study start. Larger score gaps push the start earlier. Lovare's free diagnostic shows how big your gap is.

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 you start studying for the LSAT?

The clearest way to decide when to start studying for the LSAT is to work backward from your application deadline. Fix the cycle you want to apply in, pick an LSAT date whose scores are released comfortably before that deadline, then count back three to six months for study. This keeps your start date tied to a real goal rather than a guess.

How do you work backward to a start date?

Working backward turns a vague plan into concrete dates. Follow these steps in order.

1. Choose the admissions cycle and the deadline you are aiming for.
2. Pick an LSAT administration whose score-release date lands before that deadline. According to LSAC's LSAT dates calendar, upcoming administrations run from September 2026, with scores September 30, 2026, through June 2027, with scores June 30, 2027.
3. Count back three to six months from that test date, based on your diagnostic gap.
4. Mark that point as your study start, and register for the test early.

How does your score gap change the start date?

Your diagnostic score gap is the main factor that moves your start date. A student within a few points of target may need only three months, while a student many points below may need six or more. Reading slowly, a heavy schedule, or a plan to apply early all argue for starting on the earlier end. Take a diagnostic before setting the date so the gap is a real number, not a hope.

What if you cannot start that early?

If you cannot start studying as early as the backward math suggests, you have two honest options: choose a later LSAT date and apply later in the cycle, or aim for a lighter target and a shorter plan. Cramming a large gap into a few weeks rarely works. Because many schools admit on a rolling basis, a slightly later but stronger score usually beats a rushed one.

Frequently asked questions

How long should I study for the LSAT?

Three to six months is the usual LSAT study length, set by your diagnostic gap and weekly hours. Working backward from your application deadline shows whether that fits or whether you need a later test date. Keep the last several weeks for timed, full-length practice tests no matter the total length.

When should I start studying?

Start by counting back three to six months from an LSAT date whose scores arrive before your application deadline. A larger diagnostic gap means starting on the earlier end. If the math leaves too little time, pick a later test date rather than compressing fundamentals into a rushed few weeks.

How do I improve reading comp?

Spread LSAT Reading Comprehension practice across your whole timeline instead of saving it for the end. Read each passage for structure: main point, author's stance, and viewpoint shifts. Build accuracy untimed first, then add timing, and track misses by question type to expose which questions cost you the most points.

Sources

• LSAC LSAT Dates and Score Release

Verified August 2026.