How many times is too many to take the LSAT?

Asked by: Mr. Solon Thiel  |  Last update: January 21, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (68 votes)

Test takers are permitted to take the LSAT: Five times within the current reportable score period (i.e., since June 2019). A total of seven times over a lifetime.

Is taking the LSAT 3 times too many?

If you score above your target schools' medians, no need to take it again. The median is all schools care about. They don't have to report 25th or 75th percentiles to USNWR. If you take the exam more than three times, or have a serious score discrepancy between exams (5+ points), then consider writing an addendum.

Is taking the LSAT 5 times bad?

Admissions offices may question the judgment or obsessiveness of someone with five LSAT scores, but at the end of the cycle if their numbers aren't on target, they will still be likely to admit that applicant off the waitlist if that applicant has a fourth or fifth score that is the highest and meets the school's need.

Is there a limit to how many times I can take the LSAT?

In September 2017, the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) changed its policy on how many times you can take the LSAT. Now, there are no limitations on the number of times you can take the LSAT test.

How many times does the average person take 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.

LSAT score reactions || how I studied for the LSAT and raised my score

23 related questions found

How many times can I take the LSAT in Canada?

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.

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.

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 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.

Can schools see how many times you took the LSAT?

All of your LSAT (or LSAT-Flex) results will be reported to the law schools to which you apply if earned in the current testing year or if earned in the prior five testing years. (Note that LSAT results include scores, cancellations, and absences.

How bad is a 155 on the LSAT?

According to U.S. News, law school admissions experts recommend striving for at least a 150; however, for a top-ranking law school, you should aim for a 160 or better. For a Top 10 law school, a 170 or more is desired. Of course, this all depends on which schools you are applying to.

Should I retake a 163 LSAT?

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.

How bad is a 152 on the LSAT?

A 150 is a decent LSAT score, but if we're getting specific, 151-152 is better, as this is the average LSAT score. You'll meet the LSAT requirements for many accredited law schools with a score in this range.

Does it look bad to take LSAT 5 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.

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.

Should I retake a 165 LSAT?

Improve your Scores

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.

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.

Is a 135 on the LSAT bad?

Scores range between 120 and 180 on the LSAT. However, the average LSAT score is 150, which is enough to get you into most American Bar Association-accredited law schools.

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.

Will Canada get rid of the LSAT?

Canadian law schools likely to keep LSAT requirement despite Harvard move to drop it. Osgoode Hall Law School dean Lorne Sossin says the LSAT remains an important way for law schools to compare applicants.

Can I get into law school without LSAT?

While many law schools still require potential students to take the LSAT and submit their scores, there is a growing trend away from this requirement. Today there are several highly respected law schools that no longer require this specific type of test, and more schools are following suit each year.

Has the LSAT gotten harder over time?

No. The LSAT changes for each session that it is offered. While it may change in difficulty, that does not affect a student's ability to get a high mark.

Does it look bad to cancel an LSAT score?

Canceling your LSAT score once is not a big deal. Most law schools understand that there are many reasons that students might have for canceling an LSAT score. However, canceling your LSAT score more than once might not be the best look for your overall application.

How long are LSAT scores valid in Canada?

How long is an LSAT test score valid? Test scores are valid for five years prior to admission.