How many times do people normally take the LSAT?

Asked by: Prof. Loraine Beahan IV  |  Last update: August 31, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (9 votes)

There are different schools of thought surrounding this question, though the general consensus is that, if possible, you should take the LSAT just once. This is because all of your LSAT scores, including canceled scores, are sent in your report to any law schools you may apply to.

How many times do most people take the LSAT?

This is not to say that retaking the LSAT is rare – not at all! In fact, according to the latest data, about 25% of LSAT takers retake it for the second time, and about 4% take it three times.

How many times does the average student take the LSAT?

Pretty much any LSAT score will get you into law school, it just might not be the school you want. Most people only take it one or two times. And it has nothing to do with luck, it has to do with your ability to read and make deductions from what your read.

Is taking the LSAT 3 times too much?

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 ...

How many times should I 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.

How many times should you take the LSAT

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What LSAT score do I need for Harvard?

So let's take a look at what it actually takes to have a chance of being admitted to the most prestigious and preeminent law school in the world. As you can see from these numbers, an LSAT score of 170 or higher and a GPA above 3.75 will give you a chance of gaining admission to Harvard Law School.

What is a perfect LSAT score?

The LSAT scale ranges from 120 to 180, with 120 being the lowest possible score and 180 being the highest possible score.

Does it look bad if you take the LSAT multiple times?

Fortunately, there is no longer a penalty for taking the LSAT more than once. Law schools typically take an applicant's highest score. Still, there are downsides to retaking the test, like lost time and the risk of a lower score that could make your highest score look like a fluke.

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 keep a 150 LSAT score?

How “good” of a score is good enough depends largely on what law schools you're applying to. For example, to get into a top-ranking law school, you'll probably need an LSAT score of at least 160 or above, while a score in the mid-150s is often acceptable at many excellent law schools.

Do colleges care how many times you take the LSAT?

Beyond that, there are no hard rules on what is and isn't an “acceptable” number of times to take the LSAT. Admissions committees know that everyone has off days, and that people have to retake the LSAT for a variety of reasons, especially when they're relying on their home WiFi to be perfect for 3+ hours straight.

What percentage of people retake the LSAT?

Thus, when you go to the test center for the first time, the majority of people around you are also there for the first time. What about people repeating the test? The average percentage of second-time test takers is 26%, and the average percentage of third-time test takers is 5% (percentages rounded).

How long do most people study for LSAT?

Average Recommended Study Time

Most LSAT experts recommend around 3 months of full times study, or around 150 to 300 hours; this breaks down to approximately 12 to 25 hours a week of studying every week. This is the study plan that suits most people and is the most customizable depending on your individual obligations.

Does cancelled LSAT score look bad?

Most people who cancel their LSAT score do not have face any negative consequences. A cancelled LSAT score is a valid LSAT score. Many law schools accept cancelled scores and view them as valid. If you cancel your score, it will be reported to the ABA and LSDAS as a “no report” or NR.

Can I retake my LSAT writing?

If you have already completed an LSAT Writing or LSAT Argumentative Writing sample, you do not need to complete LSAT Argumentative Writing again. However, if you would like to retake LSAT Argumentative Writing as well, please contact LSAC's Candidate Services team at LSACinfo@LSAC.org or 1.800. 336.3982.

What is the average LSAT score for first time takers?

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)

Is LSAT enough for Harvard?

Harvard Law School accepts either the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). We do not have a preference for either exam. Similarly, a candidate is not considered more committed by taking both exams or disadvantaged by taking the same exam multiple times.

Is the LSAT going away in 2025?

The ABA's House of Delegates will vote on the Council's proposed change in February 2023. If the House votes to nix Standard 503, the standardized-test requirement won't go away until 2025. So, the LSAT isn't definitely going away, and it's definitely not going away until 2025.

What is the cost of LSAT in India?

To pay the application fee, candidates have to use their Credit Card, Debit Card, NEFT, Wallets or any other payment method. For payment using Credit Cards, candidates can use only MasterCard or VISA card issued in India. The LSAT India 2025 registration / application fee is INR 3,999 for each session.

Does a bad LSAT score hurt you?

These schools, however, are mostly high-ranking and selective, meaning lower scorers are unlikely to be admitted at all. Students with lower LSAT scores are left in a vicious double-bind, rejected from higher-ranking law schools and overcharged at lower-ranking law schools.

What is the highest score on the LSAT?

Your LSAT score is the most important factor for admission to law school. The highest LSAT score is 180. The average LSAT score is about 152.

How many people get a 180 LSAT?

The LSAT is scored on a bell curve, ranging from 120 to 180. On recent tests, the hump of the curve has centered around 153. Percentiles vary slightly between tests, but generally around 25% of test-takers score 160 or higher, 5% score 170 or higher, and 1% score 175 or higher. Only one in 1,000 test-takers scores 180.

What was Obama's LSAT score?

The easiest to predict, by far, is Barack Obama's score, mostly because we have some data. Based on admissions records, we can deduce — somewhat reliably — that Barry-O scored between the 94th and 98th percentile on his LSAT. Using today's grading system, that would place him somewhere around a 170.

Has anyone gotten 100% on the LSAT?

A 20-year-old woman from Pennsylvania has shared her real-life Legally Blonde moment after achieving the perfect score of 180 in the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

What LSAT score does Harvard accept?

Harvard's median LSAT score of entering students is 174, with the lower 25th percentile being 170 and upper 75th percentile being 176. So, it would be best to score within that range.