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When it comes to managing your financial life, technology can be your friend. By toggling on banking alerts, you can stay on top of your bank accounts and possibly avoid such issues as overdraft, late fees, and unauthorized use of your banking details.

Setting up automated alerts can be quick and easy, but you may need help knowing which are the right ones to use to suit your needs. Here’s a guide to 10 of the most valuable online banking alerts that you may find useful.

What Are Bank Account Alerts?

How mobile banking works can typically involve alerts sent by email and/or text that keep you updated on the status of your accounts. These can share important information about your finances (such as, say, that you are about to overdraft your account) or they can help protect your account by informing you of a new log-in.

In many cases, you can customize how you want to receive mobile banking alerts, whether by email, text message, and/or push notification. You can also personalize the alerts. For example, one person might want a low balance alert when their account balance falls under $200, while another person might want to be notified when their account gets down to $25.

Why Should You Set Up Mobile Alerts for Your Bank Account?

Mobile banking alerts can help keep your bank account safe online and protect your financial status in the following ways:

•   Allow you to monitor your banking activity

•   Help you avoid unauthorized activity

•   Prevent scams and fraud

•   Alert you to low balances so you can steer clear of overdraft and related fees

•   Help you manage debit card purchase behavior

•   Know when an important payment or debit is made

•   Feel more in control and secure of your finances.

How to Set Up Bank Account Notifications

How to set up bank account notifications will vary from financial institution to financial institution, but the basic steps typically are as follows:

•   Go to your bank’s website or mobile app, and log in.

•   Find the section where you can manage your notifications (it may have a name like “Alerts,” “Profile & Settings,” “Notifications,” or “Tools”), and choose the specific bank account you want to manage alerts for.

•   Find the kind of alert you want to customize, such as account activity or security, and set it. You might need to determine details (such as to receive an alert when your balance falls below $150 or when a purchase is over $100).

•   Specify how you want to receive your alerts, such as by text (SMS), email, or push notification.

•   Save your selections.

10 Essential Bank Account Alerts to Activate Now

Here are 10 important mobile banking alerts. See which ones might suit your particular situation and needs.

1. Low Balance

Cars have gas indicators to warn drivers when fuel is close to empty, so why shouldn’t bank accounts? A low balance alert lets you know when funds have dipped below a predetermined amount — it could be $20, $1,000, or any amount you set. This can help keep you from overspending, having a negative bank balance, and triggering expensive overdraft or NSF fees.

2. Direct Deposit

Constantly checking your account to see if your paycheck has been deposited can be a nuisance, particularly if you only recently set up direct deposit (which can take one or two pay cycles to get going).

If you sign up for a direct deposit notification, however, you’ll know exactly when money sent electronically to your account has been deposited and is ready to use. Being notified of direct deposits can also help you know that you have enough money in your account to cover automatic payments you have set up. Bonus: Some banks allow you to get paid early, up to two days before the actual payday.

3. Suspicious or Unusual Activity

Unfortunately, more than a million people report fraud and identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) each year. Setting up a suspicious or unusual activity mobile account alert can save account holders a lot of headaches, as well as time and money, should their accounts ever become compromised.

A suspicious or unusual activity alert notifies consumers when there’s a change in their account status that’s outside the norm. For example, if a large amount of money gets transferred out of the account and this is something that rarely occurs, you would receive a suspicious or unusual activity alert. (It could be that you’re transferring it to a savings vault, or it could be an unauthorized transaction.) Or an alert might let you know if purchases are being made outside your typical travel area.

By alerting you the moment a potential fraud takes place, you can take action quickly, report the transaction as needed, and/or possibly freeze your account. Your bank’s customer service or fraud alert rep may also advise you on how to secure your account.

4. New Log-In Alert

Another helpful way to protect your accounts against bank fraud and theft is to set up a new log-in account alert. This alert lets you know when someone has logged into your account from a device, location, or browser that has never been used to access your account before.

If you weren’t the one logging in, you can possibly block the fraudster by immediately changing your password and/or freezing your account to prevent spending.

Some financial institutions also allow customers to set up multifactor authentication on their account (which requires users to provide multiple pieces of identifying information, not just a username and password to access an account), which can further protect your money.

5. Large Purchase or Debit Transaction

Some banks allow users to set up a customizable large purchase or debit alert. With this kind of online banking alert, you will usually receive a message whenever a purchase over a certain dollar amount (which typically you determine) is about to be debited from your account.

If you see the alert and don’t recognize the purchase, you may then be able to block the transaction.

Having a large purchase alert set up can help prevent not only fraud but also human error. If a restaurant server accidentally adds an extra zero to a dinner bill, a large purchase alert could go off. That could save you the hassle of reporting the purchase later and trying to have it reversed.

This mobile bank alert may be especially helpful if you are not in the habit of monitoring your bank account on a regular basis.

6. Overdraft Alert

If you overdraw your account using a check or debit card, your bank might allow the transaction, letting you spend more money than you actually have in your account.

Typically, this comes with a price — an overdraft or NSF fee (which can cost you up $40). And, if you don’t realize you’re overdrafting your account, you might continue to make purchases and incur a fee on each one. Depending on the bank, if your account remains in a negative balance for an extended number of days, your account could even be closed.

To avoid these problems, If you get an overdraft alert, you may want to:

•   Add money to your account as quickly as possible to prevent any more overdrafts with subsequent bill payments. If you move quickly, you might possibly be able to avoid the first overdraft fee (check if your bank has a deadline to deposit money that might help you avoid an overdraft fee).

•   Some banks have no overdraft fees up to a certain dollar amount; check and see if yours offers this feature.

7. Personal Information Change (Password, Address, etc.)

Personal information change bank alerts notify you if someone has tried to change your password, username, or any personal information in your profile, such as contact information or opting out of bills through mail.

If you see something was changed and you didn’t make the changes, you’ll likely want to change your password ASAP and alert the bank to help protect your account.

8. Large ATM Withdrawal Alert

Setting an alert for withdrawals from an ATM lets a person know when cash has left their account. This might be helpful in the event that there are multiple authorized users on the card (so you are aware of a change in the account balance) but also if the card has been stolen or lost. This kind of alert can help you quickly spot fraud and act on that knowledge.

According to the FTC, the maximum loss for a person who reports their card as lost within two days of discovery is $50. That means even if a thief steals a debit or ATM card and wipes out the account’s balance, the account holder would not be out more than $50.

If a person doesn’t notice their ATM or debit card has gone missing, a withdrawal notification could be the first thing to alert them.

9. Card Not Present Transaction

Also known as a CNP, a card not present alert notifies you that a purchase is being attempted online, by phone, or by mail, and a physical card wasn’t involved. This can help inform you of fraudulent activity, allowing you to protect your finances in real time. You might be able to decline the transaction, freeze your bank account, and get a new card issued.

Remember, if you report misuse of your card number within two days of the event, you are not liable for more than $50, per the Electronic Funds Transfer Act. In this way, online banking activity alerts could help you avoid having to pay for fraudulent charges.

10. Upcoming Payment Alert

An upcoming payment alert can be a good way to stay posted on recurring or one-time scheduled payments. For instance, if you had scheduled a payment of a medical bill a couple of weeks ago to happen right now, the alert could nudge you to check your balance and make sure you’re in good shape to cover the expense.

Or an upcoming payment alert could remind you that you are paying for, say, a streaming channel you haven’t been watching and you might decide to cancel and save some money.

What Should You Do After Receiving a Bank Security Alert?

If you receive a mobile banking alert or bank notification, you may or may not need to take action.

•   If the message tells you something you already knew or expected (say, that you received your paycheck or your mortgage was paid per your instructions), no action is needed.

•   If you receive an alert that your bank account is low and/or you are at risk of overdraft, you can transfer funds to avoid problems and fees.

•   If you are informed that a transaction or log-in occurred that you do not recognize, you can (and should) alert your bank’s customer service ASAP to avoid fraudulent activity and related issues, such as identity theft. In addition, you may want to change passwords or freeze your account.

The Takeaway

Online banking alerts can help you manage your financial life more conveniently. They can provide you with important and timely account information, such as when your account balance falls below a certain amount or when your paycheck has been electronically deposited. This can help you better manage and protect your finances. Setting up alerts is a personal decision and can be changed as your needs evolve or as your financial institution adds new options.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with eligible direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

FAQ

What types of bank accounts are eligible for account alerts?

Typically, a variety of bank accounts are eligible for alerts, including checking and savings accounts, as well as certificates of deposit (CDs). You can also have alerts for your ATM and debit card.

How can I tell the difference between a real bank alert and a phishing scam?

Here are some ways to tell if a bank alert is real or if it’s phishing: Ask yourself if you have opted into this kind of message from your bank. Know that your bank will not ask for confidential information by text. Be aware that a sense of urgency or needing to send money to resolve a “problem with your account” right away can signal a scam. Also look for slight misspellings, such as Citiibank instead of Citibank. You can contact your bank directly to know if an alert is real.

Are there any fees for setting up bank account alerts?

Most major banks do not charge for setting up bank account alerts. However, your mobile carrier might apply text or data charges if you get SMS alerts, so it can be a good idea to check with them about their policy.

Can I customize the dollar amount for my large purchase alerts?

Yes, you can usually customize the dollar amount for your large purchase alerts. For instance, one person might want to be notified of purchases over $100, while another might only want to know about ones that are over $500.

Do alerts for direct deposits arrive instantly?

Direct deposit alerts can arrive almost instantly when your bank makes the funds available. It can be wise to double-check with your bank about when payroll funds become available. Some banks offer an early pay benefit, which allows access before the official payday.

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Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet

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Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, or benefits provider or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, Wise, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Eligible Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder's Eligible Direct Deposit activity to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility.

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Law school is a major undertaking requiring a lot of hard work as a student trains for a challenging and rewarding career. And a key part of getting accepted into law school can be scoring well on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). What’s more, a high LSAT score can potentially increase a student’s scholarship and other funding opportunities to pay for law school.

But getting an LSAT score you’re proud of can take some planning and preparation. To help with that, this guide will break down how to study for the LSAT. In addition, you’ll learn some helpful study tips, test-taking strategies, and important dates to remember.

What Is the LSAT?

The LSAT is a standardized test that many law schools require. It is considered to be a good predictor of how well a student will perform in law school.

The test contains four sections, plus a written essay, and test takers typically have about three hours to complete the test. The LSAT score range goes from 120 to 180, with the average score currently being approximately 150 to 152.

What Does the LSAT Cover?

The LSAT is administered in two distinct sections. One section is a multiple choice exam that is divided into categories including logical reasoning and reading comprehension.

There is also a writing section that is administered separately from the multiple choice portion of the LSAT. Test takers are allotted 35 minutes for each of the four sections required for the exam. These sections are:

•   Two logical reasoning sections, 24 – 26 questions each

•   Reading comprehension, 26 – 28 questions

•   Experimental section (typically used to develop questions for future LSATs), 24 – 28 questions

•   Writing. This section is administered separately from the multiple choice portion of the exam, but test takers will be limited to 50 minutes.

The writing section gives test takers a debatable issue to articulate a stance on. The written section is available to test takers eight days prior to their testing date.

It can be taken at any time during this testing window and is proctored online using secure software. Although this section is not used to calculate the score, it is still sent to law schools and used to some degree for admissions.

The experimental portion of the exam is also unscored. This section is used internally for measuring the difficulty and effectiveness of LSAT questions. However, test takers will not be aware of which section is experimental.

The LSAT can be taken in person or remotely via a proctored online portal.

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What Is a Good Score on the LSAT?

As mentioned above, the LSAT scoring system ranges from 120 to 180, with a current average of 150 to 152.

What qualifies as a good score will vary depending on your outlook and how competitive the law schools are that you plan on applying to. For instance, if you want to attend one of the top-tier law schools in America (that is, one of the top five programs), you will likely need at least a 170 on the LSAT.

How Do I Prepare for the LSAT?

Preparing for the LSAT can involve time and energy. There are a variety of methods. Some people choose just one and stick with it. Others combine a couple of techniques. There’s not one best way to study for the LSAT; it’s a personal choice.

Preparing for the LSAT has become a full-fledged industry, with a slew of specialized tutors, study guides, and courses offering their services. Among the options:

•   LSAT preptests

•   LSAT prep books

•   Test prep companies and tutoring

•   Official LSAT Prep on Khan Academy

•   Study groups with other students/prospective test takers (such as prelaw students at your college).

Read on to learn more about a couple of the methods.

Taking Official LSAT Prep Tests

How to study for the LSAT? Get organized before you start planning your applications for postgrad education. One popular option to consider is signing up for the LSAT Prep® on LSAC’s LawHub.

LSAC stands for the Law School Admission Council, a nonprofit that supports access, equity, and fairness in law school admissions.

By signing up, you can get access to four full practice tests. If you want further practice, you can purchase a service known as LawHub Advantage. This provides one year of access to an extensive library of full Official LSAT PrepTests® for $120.

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Tailoring a Study Plan to Your Needs and Goals

Following your first pretest, you now have a starting point to build from to reach your target score. In some cases, you may excel in one section and struggle in another.

Does reading comprehension have you stumped? As part of your LSAT preparation, brushing up on vocabulary and dedicating more time to related practice questions could be beneficial.

If your GPA is on the lower end of the spectrum, you might want to set a goal for scoring higher than a law school’s median LSAT score to help improve your candidacy.

As noted above, you have an array of options in terms of how to prepare for the LSAT. For some prospective test-takers, paying a tutor or for a prep class can help keep them accountable. For others, the social aspect of joining a study group at their college can be the right fit. And still others may prefer online learning as they work towards law school admission.

Making a LSAT Study Schedule That Works for You

The amount of time you plan to study for the LSAT may be influenced by how much you’d like to improve your score, based on the pretest.

•   A general bare minimum baseline is around 120 hours. Those that are interested in a significant score boost or other factors may require more time.

•   Kaplan Test Prep generally recommends that students spend between 150 and 300 hours, spread out in 20- to 25-hour weekly increments, preparing and studying for the LSAT.

•   Many LSAT takers are also juggling other responsibilities, like finishing an undergraduate degree, working, and taking care of family.

•   Consider all of your responsibilities and demands on your time as you build your study schedule. The goal is to set a schedule that will help you prepare effectively and prevent burnout.

•   Bridging a narrower gap between your initial score and target score may require less study time to achieve, but individuals with higher LSAT scores may be more likely to secure scholarships to help pay for school.

•   If you’re still in undergrad, think about taking an elective course that is geared towards the LSAT, such as logic, to simultaneously help stay on track for graduation and preparing for the LSAT.

Simulating Actual LSAT Testing Conditions

While day-to-day studying can be broken down into shorter segments to work on logic games, vocabulary, and mastering concepts, it may be helpful to take several LSAT sample tests in full.

Creating realistic testing conditions is as simple as following the 35-minute time limit per section, sitting at a desk, and getting up on a Saturday morning to take it. Not only could this approach provide a more accurate LSAT score sampling, but also build endurance and time management skills in a test environment.

In between practice tests, allowing time for review and doing more practice problems can also help gauge growth and identify which section needs the most improvement.

LSAT Test-Taking Tips

As much as the LSAT is about mastering logic and thinking analytically, test takers can also benefit from an in-depth understanding of the LSAT itself. On top of finding and adopting the best ideas for how to prepare for the LSAT, these test-taking tips could be helpful.

Answering Every Question

Unlike the SAT, the LSAT does not deduct points for incorrect answers. That’s right: You’re not penalized for getting something wrong. Since leaving questions blank could potentially result in losing out on coveted points, it may be worth allotting the last 30 seconds of the section to fill in an answer bubble for remaining questions.

If you’re stumped by a difficult question, you might benefit from entering in your best guess and moving on to dedicate time and effort to questions you feel more confident answering.

Keep in mind that once a section ends, you are not permitted to go back and answer questions or correct responses.

Using Process of Elimination

Multiple-choice questions on the LSAT can contain similar answers that can trip up test takers, especially when rushing.

Given the test’s emphasis on logic and analytical thinking, employing a process of elimination strategy can help get rid of flawed answers one by one and avoid choosing a well-crafted, misleading answer.

Relax… It’s Okay to Retake the LSAT

Given the importance the LSAT plays in law school acceptance, it may come as no surprise that many people retake the test.

According to an LSAC report, at a given test administration, about 29% were second-time test takers. Another finding was that second-timers in a given year typically raise their score by two or three points. (Keep in mind that law school admission committees will likely receive all of your test scores.)

If you’re worried about your nerves getting the best of you, planning to take the LSAT well-ahead of admission deadlines could help alleviate some stress since you’ll have another chance or two to retest if needed.

There are limits to the number of times the LSAT can be taken within certain timeframes, including five times since 2020 and seven tests in a lifetime. It’s possible to cancel test scores if you are unhappy with how you did, but canceled scores will count towards the totals mentioned here.

Important LSAT Dates

When figuring out how to start studying for the LSAT, it might be helpful to map out a timeline of test dates and law school admission schedules. There are multiple options and locations for testing dates, as well as law school application deadlines to be aware of.

If you’re hoping to pursue your J.D. within a year or two, it may be easier to work backwards from when you actually need to apply to law school. Deadlines for law school applications can vary, with many regular-decision dates falling between February and March and early-decision ones in November or December.

Many experts recommend taking the LSAT in June so there’s time to retake it in the fall, if needed. Scores are generally sent three weeks after the exam on a pre-specified release date. The current schedule of 2025-2026 test dates runs from January through June; for updates, visit LSAC’s site.

Paying for Law School

Education is an investment — both in time and money. Typically, law school spans three full-time academic years, and the rigorous schedule can make it challenging to work outside of summer internships. Here’s some important information about paying for law school:

•   While the payoff can be considerable for legal professionals, the upfront cost can be a heavy lift. When thinking about how to pay for law school, know this: Using the most recent data, the average total cost of law school is $217,480, according to the Education Data Initiative. The average in-state tuition for public universities was $31,430, while the average for private universities reached $57,860.

•   When law school scholarships and financial aid are not enough, students can take out federal or private student loans to help pay the difference for law school. Coming up with a plan to pay for law school early could help put you on track to tackling law school debt and focusing on your budding law career.

•   Students or graduates still paying for their law school (and potentially undergraduate) student loans could opt for student loan refinancing and combine payment under one loan. This may make payments simpler and/or more affordable, but it’s important to note that if you refinance for an extended term, you may pay more interest over the life of the loan. In addition, refinancing federal student loans means forfeiting federal borrower benefits and protections, so it won’t be the right choice for everyone.

The Takeaway

Getting a good score on the LSAT could help students get into their preferred law school. Familiarizing themselves with the test, dedicating plenty of time to studying and prep, and taking practice tests can be important parts of the study process.

Along with getting into law school, students will also be thinking about how to pay for their education. Financial aid, scholarships, student loans, and refinancing undergrad loans, are all options to consider.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.

FAQ

How long do you need to study for the LSAT?

It’s recommended that students study for 150 to 300 hours for the LSATs, and to spread out their studies into 20- to 25-hour weekly increments. The bare minimum total study time for the LSATs is generally 120 hours.

What is the best way to study for the LSAT?

The best way to study for the LSAT depends on the test taker and what works best for them. Study methods include official LSAT prep tests, LSAT prep books, and taking past LSAT exams through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), using test prep companies and tutoring, and joining study groups with other prospective test takers. A student may want to experiment with different methods to see what is most effective for them.

Is 170 on the LSAT realistic?

It’s possible to score a 170 on the LSAT — in fact, that’s the score you’ll likely need to get into the top law schools. However, a 170 is a top score, and it can be very hard to attain. (The average score on the LSAT is 150 to 152.) Scoring a 170 requires dedication and a substantial time commitment to intensive, focused, and consistent study.

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