Hello! I am unsure when I should take the LSAT so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I am currently a rising junior in college in New York, and I live in CA. I have just started studying for the LSAT, and I prefer to take it in California, not in New York, so that limits the months I can take it. As a student-athlete, I am pretty busy during the school year. Should I use this summer, the upcoming school year (25-26), and next summer to study so I can take it next July or August (2026)? Does this seem like a reasonable plan?

This will be my first time taking it, so I'm wondering if my second time should be the summer after senior year of college/after I graduate, when I am hopefully working as a paralegal or something (before I apply to law school). Idk, I have not really thought out when I should take it a second time. Lmk what you guys think!

Thanks in advance for the input!