When to Register for the LSAT: The Strict Rule to Maximize Your Score

One of the most common questions we hear from prospective law students is, "When should I sign up for the test?" Most students pick a date based on an arbitrary deadline or a gut feeling that they’ll be "ready by June." At JurisPrep, we take a different approach. We advise our clients to follow one strict, data-driven rule: Do not register for the LSAT until the average of your last five practice tests matches the score you need to apply to law school.

The LSAT is a scientific, highly predictable exam. Unlike a mid-term or a finals week—where you might "get lucky" with the questions—your LSAT score is almost always going to fall within the range of your recent practice averages. There is no benefit to signing up months in advance; doing so only creates an artificial ticking clock that adds unnecessary anxiety to your study sessions. By waiting until your data proves you are ready, you walk into the testing center with the confidence that your target score isn't a hope—it’s a mathematical probability.

Furthermore, you should ignore the urge to sign up as soon as a registration window opens. There is zero advantage to registering weeks or months before the deadline. LSAC does not give bonus points for early birds, and seats for the remote exam do not "run out" in a way that justifies a premature commitment. We recommend waiting until the very last day—or even the last hour—before the registration deadline to look at your most recent five tests. If you aren't hitting your numbers yet, don't sign up. It’s that simple.

Why is this rule so strict? Because wasting a take is a strategic error. Every student has a limited number of times they can sit for the exam, and law schools can see every score you receive. While schools generally focus on your highest score, a string of lower scores can sometimes signal a lack of preparation or poor judgment. More importantly, taking the test before you are ready is a waste of your time and money. Your goal isn't just to "take the LSAT"—it's to achieve the Scholarship Score™ that will pay for your degree.

If you are a junior or a senior starting your prep now, you are in the perfect position to use this strategy. By starting early and refusing to book a test date until your practice scores are undeniable, you take the power back from the calendar. You ensure that when you finally do sit for the exam, it’s because you are guaranteed to produce a result that makes law schools compete for you. At JurisPrep, we’re here to help you track that data and hold the line until you’re ready for a full ride.