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Hey TLSers,

First off, thanks to all who are posting in this forum; I've found it remarkably helpful as I begin my preparation to take the LSAT.

My question is a logistical one: does it make sense to plan on taking the LSAT during my junior year of undergrad studies? (Next academic year I will be a first-semester junior)

What's the earliest, in your opinion/experience, that the exam should be taken?

Thanks in advance!

I took it junior year and it wasn't a problem. I mean, yeah, you're going to work hard and be a little busy. If you can't handle that, though, you probably shouldn't become a lawyer.

I would tell you first that there's no rush. Unless you have such pristine credentials that the trinity is realistic, many will recommend taking a year or two to try out another career path out of undergrad. Not only will you have more time to study for the LSAT once you're out of undergrad (in most situations), but you'll have more favorable admissions outcomes as a non K-JD, you'll be able to save up some money, and you'll have an easier time getting a job as a lawyer, because you'll have better interviewing skills, more content to talk about in your interviews, and you'll be more mature.

At the same time, there's nothing wrong with taking it a junior (assuming it will not affect your grades whatsoever), but just be sure not to take it until you're absolutely ready to kill it. However, if you aren't planning to take any time off any you want to go KJD, you will not be disadvantaged, at all, by taking the test early in your senior year instead. If I were to go KJD, I would take it in June as a rising senior, retake either way as a senior in October, reassess, and if necessary retake that following December.

I took it Oct. of senior year and things worked out for me. I wish I would've done it in June, however.

If there's even the slightest chance your UGPA will drop because you are studying for the LSAT don't do it. LSATs come and go, UGPA is for life.

malleus discentium wrote:If there's even the slightest chance your UGPA will drop because you are studying for the LSAT don't do it. LSATs come and go, UGPA is for life.

+1 wish I would've known that sooner in UG too!

The best time to take the LSAT is whenever you'll have the most time to study. It can definitely be challenging to balance undergrad with studying for the LSAT - the nice thing about taking the October/September test is that, unless you're taking summer classes, most of your studying won't overlap with school. (I took the October LSAT the summer before my senior year - I was working fulltime over the summer, but at least I had my evenings free to study.)

There's definitely nothing wrong with taking the LSAT as a junior - I have a few students every year who do it - so while there's certainly no rush to take the LSAT, if you really think you'll have the time to dedicate to studying, go for it.

Undergrad here! Taking it this Sept/Oct. Currently exhausting my summer (that I left void of other work) to study like a bitch before the semester starts again in Aug

I think it all depends on how driven and motivated you are, and also your workload with your school/extra activities/etc.

For me, I set aside time for studying, and made sure I kept track of my time.

I also read alot of blogs to help me motivated, like this one SPAM
And make sure i'm not procrastinating

Best of luck to you!!