June vs. October LSAT Forum

[grey_syntactics]

Why do people tend to take the LSAT in June when applying soon after? If I will be applying in the fall of 2011, what are the advantages/disadvantages of taking in October 2011 vs. June 2011?

I am looking to apply within the top-20 or so.

[kkklick]

If you write in June and things don't go your way, you can re-write in October. The October LSAT gives you just enough time to ED at any school you wish.

[dextermorgan]

Why do people tend to take the LSAT in June when applying soon after? If I will be applying in the fall of 2011, what are the advantages/disadvantages of taking in October 2011 vs. June 2011?

I am looking to apply within the top-20 or so.

It starts at 12:30 p.m.
It starts at 8:30 a.m.

[kkklick]

Also if you write in October and things don't go your way you're stuck writing in December and will waste some time in the admissions process. You have a ton of time to prepare for the LSAT you should aim for June. The 12:30 start and the fact that classes don't get in the way make it an attractive test date.

[tourdeforcex]

June because if the score isn't great, they can retake October and still make early decision deadlines.

if you take october, and get the score back, and retake, the december score comes out in january, can't make ED deadlines and your file completes when adcomms have sent out a substantial number of acceptances.

june exams are in the afternoon i think, vs. october: 8:30AM. another factor might be school, you might be in the middle of midterms in october

[dextermorgan]

Also if you write in October and things don't go your way you're stuck writing in December and will waste some time in the admissions process. You have a ton of time to prepare for the LSAT you should aim for June. The 12:30 start and the fact that classes don't get in the way make it an attractive test date.

And yeah: easier to re-take in October if June doesn't go your way.

Did I mention that it starts at 12:30 p.m.?

[Dany]

Just to reiterate what others have said:

June
-test is at 12:30, not 8:30
-during the summer (not the semester while you're focusing on classes)
-allows for an October retake and apps in by November

If you take it in October and screw up, you will be applying after the December test which is EXTREMELY late. You risk either 1. settling for a worse school, or 2. sitting out a cycle.

Take it in June.

[2011Law]

As someone who aimed to take in October (before I found this website of course), but slacked off in studying just enough so that I knew I wouldn't reach my potential for test day and ended up taking in Dec., I agree with what everyone else here has said.

[grey_syntactics]

Thanks for your responses.

The reason I am thinking about October over June is that this Spring will be my final semester as an undergrad, and my schedule is pretty jam-packed. While five months IS a long time, I'm spread kind of thin (legal assistant at a firm 15 hrs/wk, intern at a nonprofit 6 hrs/week, 5 classes, chair of one org, treasurer of another).

I did not apply this cycle because I wanted a year off for W.E., going abroad, fellowship, something.

Given these circumstances, would it be wiser to test in October? Or kill myself this semester to get it over with in June and possibly re-test in October anyway?

Thank you again!

[Dany]

I don't know what your diagnostic was like, but if it's fairly high you can get away with minimal studying while you're still in school, then working at it like it's your job in May after you graduate.

I had a heavy courseload last spring and didn't begin really prepping until May, and ended up doing very well in June. Maybe that's just me, but I still think it's worth it to try in June. You just don't want the first time to be in October unless you're willing to take off another year in the event you do worse than expected. IMO, October is just too risky.

[LSAT Blog]

Everyone's pretty much said it, and I agree:

June's better if you can swing it despite college/work/extracurricular responsibilities.

It's worth trying to make June work unless your finals are unusually late.

Perhaps you can decrease some of the semester's obligations (like the 5 classes) and/or move them to the fall semester. It sounds like you already have a ton going on without the LSAT.

[granato]

Is applying in late december, early january *that* late?

[Ragged]

If you write in June and things don't go your way, you can re-write in October. The October LSAT gives you just enough time to ED at any school you wish.

TITCR

Is applying in late december, early january *that* late?

It's not *that* late, but it is on the late side. Might not hurt but will not help.

[Dany]

Is applying in late december, early january *that* late?

Yes, it is *that* late. As an example, last year by the end of December Georgetown had 2/3 of their class filled. Will you still get into some schools? Sure. But are your chances much better if you apply in October? Yep. Further, applying early gives you the chance to either (1) ED, or (2) get some decisions in earlier so you can see how your cycle is going to go and determine whether you should add more reaches or, conversely, more safeties. Finally, scholarship funds are full at the beginning of the year, and if you apply and are accepted too late, often your scholarship award will be lower because there simply isn't enough money left.

[grey_syntactics]

My exams end on May 11, so I suppose ~3 weeks of hardcore studying after sporadic prep over the next few months might cut it in exchange for not squandering a possible second chance, and diminishing my chances at some schools?

btw my highest timed diagnostic is 171. highest untimed is 175.

[Dany]

My exams end on May 11, so I suppose ~3 weeks of hardcore studying after sporadic prep over the next few months might cut it in exchange for not squandering a possible second chance, and diminishing my chances at some schools?

btw my highest timed diagnostic is 171. highest untimed is 175.

You got it. June is 100% TCR.