The October 2020 LSAT Is Now the October LSAT-Flex

The October 2020 LSAT is officially an LSAT-Flex! If you’re looking to apply for law school this year, you may be considering the October test date. The October exam allows you get to your scores back in time to apply for schools this application cycle, and even retest if needed. However, COVID-19 has changed test-takers plans quite a bit; in this post, we’ll take a look at key information you need about the October LSAT—now the October LSAT-Flex.

The October LSAT-Flex

The October 3, 2020 test date was not initially intended to be an LSAT-Flex exam. However, given that it’s 2020, it’s not surprising that the exam turned into an LSAT-Flex. In fact, we anticipate that all remaining LSATs in 2020 will turn into LSAT-Flexes, though the LSAC (test-maker) only announces this 1-2 months ahead of time.

October LSAT Dates

The LSAT Flex will be available the week of October 3, 2020. More specifically, LSAC plans on offering the exam: that Saturday, October 3; Sunday, October 4; Tuesday, October 6; and Thursday, October 8. A few tests may occur on Wednesday, October 7, as well.

October LSAT-Flex Score Release Dates

The score release date will most likely be Friday, October 23.

One important update to LSAT scores has come out this past month. You’ll need to have a completed LSAT Writing sample before you receive your scores for the October LSAT. To accommodate this, LSAT will open the Writing section eight days prior to the test. You can take the writing section at your convenience, but you need to finish it before you’ll get your scores.

You can also sign up for “score preview” for the October test. This costs $45 if you sign up before your test and $75 after testing has finished. (If you have a fee waiver, don’t worry–you’ll get this option automatically.) The name of this option is a little bit misleading–you won’t get your scores any earlier than other test takers. On the other hand, there is a big benefit: after the score release, you have six days to choose if you want to keep or cancel them. If you do nothing, your scores are retained and get sent to schools.

Registration (and Auto-Registration)

If you have not already registered for the October LSAT, the deadline is Friday, August 21, 2020.

If you were registered for the October 3, 2020 LSAT, you’ll be automatically registered for the October LSAT-Flex by August 24, 2020. However, if you don’t want to take the October LSAT-Flex, inform LSAC by September 25, 2020 to receive a coupon for a future administration of the test, between November 2020 and April 2021. You can do this through your online account.

October LSAT-Flex Cost

The fees for the October LSAT-Flex are the same as for an in-person LSAT. Plan on spending around $200 for test registration, if you haven’t previously registered for the October exam.

Upcoming LSAT Dates

If you don’t want to (or can’t) take the October LSAT-Flex, there’s still one more date in 2020: Saturday, November 14, 2020. However, there is a strong likelihood this will also become an LSAT-Flex. The LSAC is announcing these changes around 6-8 weeks before the test day, so stay tuned for more updates.

As there are so few LSAT testing options left in 2020, let’s take a look at Magoosh’s strategies and tips for studying for the Octobr test.

Tips for October LSAT Prep

Sign up for LSAT-Flex 101

Wondering how to ace this new design format? Magoosh has a free LSAT-Flex 101 course that looks at everything you need to know about the LSAT-Flex. It comes with a free, official LSAT-Flex practice test, as well as a free trial of Magoosh LSAT Prep.

Take a practice test to determine your baseline.

Hooray! Magoosh’s LSAT prep program now includes official LSAT questions and a full LSAT practice test! You can also sign up for LSAC Official Prep online and take a real LSAT exam from a recent year in its digital format.

Note: You can also get access to LSAC Official Prep with an LSAT prep subscription to Magoosh.

Find a quiet place, like a library, to take the practice test and do the whole thing in one sitting.

Be sure to time yourself strictly—it’s critical to accurately assess your starting point.

Score your practice test.

Use the answer key in your book, determine your overall score and your strengths and weaknesses. And if you haven’t already, start looking at law schools and determine the score you’ll need to be competitive.

Design your study schedule.

Finally, assess how far your goal score is from your baseline to help determine how long you’ll need to prep for the LSAT. For most people, it’s usually about 3 months.

Make sure you have sufficient time to bring up your score between now and the October exam, or consider signing up for a later test, like the November LSAT.

Next, let’s take a look at some of our best strategies for doing well on the LSAT.

Top LSAT Approaches

Here are three of our recommended strategies for crushing the LSAT:

• Tips for Acing LSAT Reading Comprehension
• LSAT Logic Games: Complete Guide
• Top Tips for LSAT Logical Reasoning

Recap

The deadline to register for the October LSAT will be here soon. Be sure to take some time and determine whether the October LSAT is right for you by:

• Determining your baseline LSAT score based on a practice test;
• Setting your goal score based on where you want to attend law school; and
• Deciding how much time you need to dedicate to LSAT prep.

Once you work through these steps, you’ll be confident in the test date you choose. Whenever you decide to take the LSAT, remember the key to getting your best score on the LSAT is making sure you have enough time to study!