Advantages and Disadvantages of Different LSAT Test Schedules
Many students who graduate from college want to take up law and enroll themselves in law school to pursue their dreams.
However, to be accepted in law school, they have to take and pass a standardized test called LSAT or Law School Admission Test. This test, administered and developed by the Law School Admission Council, is designed to measure an aspiring law student's logical, analytical, reading and verbal reasoning skills. These skills are needed in the study and practice of law.
Students can choose when to take the LSAT. The test is administered four times a year. Specifically, the LSAT test schedules for the year fall on February, June, October and December. Students who plan to enter law school during next year's fall should take into account several factors when choosing an LSAT test schedule.
Many advisors advice students to take the June LSAT test schedule since this will allow the examinee to pass their applications at the start of the admission period. Applying this early gives students an advantage because the examinees are considered as roll in. This means that they will encounter very slight competition for the number of spaces available. This is a generalization, however. If an examinee has excellent credentials, he can still get into spaces with ease and can get into law schools easily.
The June LSAT test schedule also gives examinees time to work on his resume, personal statements and other law school applications.
The October LSAT test schedule is the most popular because it falls at the start of the application cycle. It is also convenient for students because the schedule falls after summer. The schedule can also be advantageous for students because they would have a lot of time for preparation, a factor that is crucial in attaining a passing or high score in this test. Many students also prefer this schedule because if they fail, they don't have to wait long to retake the exam. They can take the December LSAT schedule.
In a year, the December LSAT test schedule is the last. The disadvantage of this schedule is that the results come in late. That means the examinee who takes this schedule falls back in the roll admissions cycle. Another disadvantage is that this is also the time where other final exams are administered. Taking the LSAT at the same time will be very tough.
The February LSAT test schedule is not administered by all schools. This schedule is excellent for examinees who want to plan ahead and prepare for the following year's admission.
Finally, it is important to note that an LSAT administered in any of particular schedule is not necessarily easier or more difficult than the one administered in another schedule. Whatever the schedule is, it is important for the examinee to study and prepare for this important exam.