Can you take the LSAT more than once?

Asked by: Cassandra Harvey  |  Last update: November 29, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (34 votes)

How many times may I take the LSAT? Five times within the current reportable score period (i.e., since June 2019). A total of seven times over a lifetime.

Does taking the LSAT 3 times look bad?

Additionally, if you take the LSAT more than three times, or if you have a significant difference in scores (typically more than five points), an admissions committee will want to see an addendum explaining why you kept taking the exam, or explaining the reason for the higher score—essentially, to explain why the high ...

What happens if you take the LSAT multiple times?

This is because law schools used to average LSAT scores for students who took the test more than once. That is no longer the case. This changed in 2006, and now law schools simply accept your highest test score, so students won't have to worry about scores being averaged out.

Do colleges see how many times you took the LSAT?

Law schools will see every time an applicant takes the LSAT. Law schools will see if you cancel a score for whatever reason.

Do law schools care if you retake the LSAT?

No, law schools don't really care if you retake the LSAT. However, if you have multiple LSAT scores (four or more) it may raise a few eyebrows and make the admissions committees question your time management, dedication, and academic potential a little more.

Does Taking the LSAT Multiple Times Look Bad? | LSAT Demon Daily, Ep. 239

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Is 163 a good LSAT score?

A good LSAT score is anything above 160.

Should I retake the LSAT if I score 170?

If you're somewhere within the 25th to 75th percentile, then a retake may not even be necessary—especially when you consider the time and money it'll cost you. If you're one of the lucky few that scored a 170 or higher on the first try, then there's really no point in retaking it at all.

Should I cancel a 153 LSAT score?

If you don't have strong reason to believe you've done poorly, and retaking will delay your applications, you probably shouldn't cancel. Don't forget that rolling admissions rewards earlier applications.

What is the average score on the LSAT first time?

LSAT scores range from 120 to 180. First-time LSAT test-takers score an average of 151 out of 180. The median LSAT score of first-year JD students is 158.5. Among first-year JD students, 160.9 is considered a high score (75th percentile), and 154.8 is considered a low score (25th percentile)

How expensive is the LSAT?

What fees are associated with the LSAT? It costs $222 to take the LSAT and receive one free score report. In addition, subscription to the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) is required for application for most law schools. This subscription costs $200 and includes on score report for $45.

Should I retake a 165 LSAT?

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Some people would say “yes”, and that is fine. But if you have an above-average score, say, between 165-170, retaking the LSAT seems like overkill at that point.

Do law schools only look at your highest LSAT?

If you have taken the LSAT multiple times, law schools will generally consider your highest LSAT score. Each law school combines your cumulative GPA with your LSAT score to come up with an index score.

Should I keep a 145 LSAT score?

A 144-145 is generally considered to be the lowest acceptable score to attend law school. The median LSAT score is around 151-152, so 144-145 is significantly lower than this. As such, the majority of law schools will not accept scores below this.

Does LSAT outweigh GPA?

Yes, many schools with holistic admissions prioritize LSAT scores and other qualities over strictly GPA. Check individual schools for their approach.

How many questions wrong is a 160 on the LSAT?

Every LSAT throughout the year is different, but on a typical LSAT, can still get around 18–19 questions wrong and still end up in the 160s—or about 12 wrong and get a 166, a 90th percentile score. Even a perfect score of 180 often allows for a question or two to be missed.

Will a 180 LSAT get you in anywhere?

Here is a breakdown of what counts as a good enough score for law schools based on the school's rank: Top-five law schools: 170 to 180. Schools like Harvard and Yale, which are the top two, rarely accept applicants with less than 172 on the LSAT. Law schools ranked between 5 and 10: 165 to 170.

How rare is a 170 LSAT?

170 score: Scoring a 170 on the LSAT is almost always considered a good score — that means you are in the 2-3% of test-takers.

What LSAT score did Elle Woods get?

When she applied to this school, she had a 4.0 GPA with a 179 on the LSAT, the two most important things when applying to law school. The average LSAT score for students applying to Harvard is 174, meaning she got above the average.

How rare is a 160 on the LSAT?

A student scoring a 180 is in the 99.9 percentile because the student scored better than 99.9% of test-takers. A student scoring a 160 is in the 74.8 percentile because the student scored better than 74.8% of test-takers. You can hover over the blue outline to see a tooltip for all each LSAT/percentile combinations.

Can law schools see if you canceled an LSAT score?

The cancellation will still be visible to any schools you apply to, but your score will never be released (not even to you). LSAT scores can be canceled through your LSAC online account or by contacting LSAC directly.

How bad is a 148 on the LSAT?

Typical LSAT score ranges include: 120-147 Low. 148-156 Mid. 157-164 High.

How rare is 172 LSAT?

So, a great score on the LSAT is a 172, but more than 100,000 people take the LSAT every year and only 1% score 172 or higher. For the top 50 law schools, the median LSAT score is between 164 and 174. A good LSAT score for top tier(defined by T14 schools for this article) law schools is between 171 and 174.

Is 165 a bad LSAT score?

First off, you should know that a 165 is a good LSAT score. In fact, it is very good. The median LSAT score is a 151. That means 50% of people score higher than 151, and 50% score lower.

Can I increase my LSAT score by 20 points?

Students have successfully improved their LSAT score by over 20 points, but it required several months, even years, of dedicated study, trial and error, and unwavering focus.