Do law schools care how many times you take the LSAT?
Asked by: Mercedes Tillman | Last update: March 30, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (72 votes)
Law schools primarily care about your highest LSAT score, not the number of times you took it, but a pattern of scores tells a story; an upward trend with multiple attempts looks good, showing dedication, while stagnant or declining scores might raise concerns, prompting a personal statement addendum if there's a valid reason for poor performance, though most schools don't penalize strategic retakes for improvement.
Do law schools care if you take the LSAT twice?
Law schools do not average the scores for admission, but we always look at performance if you've taken the test more than once. Ideally, it would be best if every applicant could secure their ideal LSAT score on the first attempt, but that is often not the case. Law schools will report the highest LSAT score.
What was Barack Obama's LSAT score?
Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed to have been very high, likely in the 170-175 range, to gain admission to Harvard Law School with a relatively low undergraduate GPA. Analysts suggest he needed a score in the top percentiles (perhaps 94th-98th) to overcome his lower GPA and secure a spot at the prestigious institution, indicating a strong performance near the perfect 180 score.
Do law schools care when you take the LSAT?
Yes, it does matter, but very little when compared to everything else. First of all, the LSAC does set rules on how many times you can take the LSAT in a certain time period (you can see the most recent ones here).
How many times is it acceptable to take the LSAT?
Five times within the current reportable score period (i.e., since June 2020). A total of seven times over a lifetime.
Do law schools care how many times you’ve taken the LSAT?
Has Kim Kardashian taken the LSAT?
Kim takes the California Bar Exam's “baby bar” without completing a bachelor's degree or taking the LSAT. Kim continues to balance her legal pursuits with media and business ventures, using her platform for criminal justice reform advocacy.
How rare is a 172 on the LSAT?
A 172 LSAT score is extremely rare and elite, placing you in roughly the top 3% (97th percentile) of test-takers, meaning you scored better than over 97 out of 100 people, making it a very strong score for even the most competitive T14 law schools. While common on law school forums, it's statistically exceptional, outperforming most applicants for top programs, though some extremely selective schools have medians even higher.
What LSAT score is a 70%?
A 70th percentile on the LSAT means you scored better than 70% of test-takers, which typically translates to a scaled score around 157-159, often requiring roughly 55-56 correct answers out of the scored sections, putting you in a competitive range for many law schools. This score shows strong performance above the national median (around 150-152) and is competitive for many regional and mid-tier law programs.
What score did Elle Woods need on her LSAT?
Elle Woods needed to score a 179 on the LSAT, just one point shy of a perfect 180, to get into Harvard Law School in the movie Legally Blonde, a remarkable jump from her initial practice score of 143. This near-perfect score placed her in an extremely high percentile, proving her dedication and intelligence despite initial underestimation.
What is the easiest law school to get into?
The "easiest" law schools to get into generally have higher acceptance rates and lower median LSAT/GPA scores, with schools like Thomas M. Cooley Law School (WMU), Southern University Law Center, Appalachian School of Law, and North Carolina Central University School of Law often listed for accessibility, though factors like LSAT/GPA minimums vary. Always check the latest data for schools like Loyola University New Orleans, University of South Dakota, and New England Law | Boston as rankings shift, but remember that lower-ranked schools often grade on a curve, making academic success challenging regardless of admission.
Did Michelle Obama ever pass a bar exam?
Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
What did Ben Affleck get on his SAT?
Ben Affleck reportedly had a "near-perfect" or "almost perfect" SAT score, rumored to be 1600, on the old 1600-point scale, though the exact score isn't officially confirmed, with sources citing sources like the New York Times on his high aptitude despite poor high school attendance.
What is most people's first LSAT score?
The average LSAT score is around 152, though many top-100 schools will require more than the average for admissions. Schools will compare you to other applicants from the same cycle.
Does retaking the LSAT look bad?
Generally speaking, it doesn't look bad to take the LSAT twice. Law schools generally understand that test takers need retakes. In fact, almost half of all LSAT takers take it more than once.
What percent of people retake the LSAT?
According to LSAC's research report Performance of Repeat Test Takers of the Law School Admission Test (2010–2011 through 2017–2018), retaking the LSAT is completely normal: Roughly 68% of test takers in any given year are first-timers. Around 26% are sitting for their second attempt.
Should I retake a 163 LSAT?
An LSAT score of 163 is a very respectable score (approximately at the 90th percentile) and will make a law school applicant feel very welcome at well over 50 of the top 100 law schools. Retaking the LSAT is an option for those those willing to prepare to close to the maximum.
Did Kim Kardashian pass the LSAT?
Indeed, Kim revealed on Nov. 8 that she sadly did not pass the all-important exam, but she wasn't calling it quits, either. "Six years into this law journey, and I'm still all in until I pass the bar," she wrote in a post on her Instagram Stories.
Who turned down the role of Elle in Legally Blonde?
Christina Applegate turned down the role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde because she was hesitant to play another "ditzy blonde" character after her time on Married... with Children, though she later called it a "stupid move" and expressed regret, realizing the character's potential and praising Reese Witherspoon for her portrayal.
Who got the highest LSAT score ever?
Sarah Boyle, a member of The University of Scranton's Class of 2024, scored a perfect 180 on her Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
What is the hardest section of the LSAT?
The hardest LSAT sections vary by student, but commonly cited challenges include Logical Reasoning (LR) for its abstract language and nuanced question types (like Parallel Reasoning/Flaw), and Reading Comprehension (RC) due to ingrained reading habits, especially with complex science or legal passages (e.g., Waterbugs, Dworkin). While often feared, Logic Games (LG) (Analytical Reasoning) is generally considered the most learnable and perfectible section, despite tough hybrid or new rule questions.
What is considered a failing LSAT score?
If you are wondering what a good LSAT Score is, there is no failing or passing score on the LSAT. But your score is more than simply the number of questions you got right or wrong—it's slightly more complicated than that.
What law schools can I get into with a 173 LSAT?
Applicants to these schools commonly have LSAT scores in the mid-160s or even higher. For example, the best law schools in the United States, Yale and Stanford, both have scores in the 170s—174 and 173, respectively.
What is a good LSAT score in 2025?
A "good" LSAT score in 2025 depends on your target school: 160+ is generally competitive for many ABA schools, 165+ is strong for Top 50, and 170+ is needed for Top 10/T14 schools, with the average around 150-152, though scores of 175+ are exceptional. Aiming high (170+) significantly increases your chances at elite programs, while 160+ opens doors at many regional and national law schools, with scores around 174 being the median for Harvard.
How did Elle Woods get a 179 on the LSAT?
Elle surrounded herself with numerous LSAT prep books, emphasizing the importance of using real LSAT questions for practice. This approach is essential for understanding complex concepts and patterns unique to the LSAT.