Is it bad to have multiple LSAT scores?
Asked by: Ms. Halie Hammes II | Last update: December 4, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (64 votes)
Meaning, a lower score on a LSAT retake should not hurt you. Now admissions officers are still humans, and there is most certainly some psychological negative impact of having multiple lower LSAT scores and then a high LSAT score when compared to someone who just scored high the first time.
Does it look bad to take the LSAT multiple times?
It won't look bad. :) Many students take the LSAT multiple times. Law schools really only care about the highest LSAT score that you receive, as this is the score they have to report to the ABA. So in their eyes, your score will be whatever higher score you end up receiving.
Do law schools care about multiple LSAT scores?
The majority of applicants take the test only once. If you take the test more than once we will use the highest score unless the scores are grouped closely together, in which case we will use the average."
How many LSATs is too many?
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. The old policy limited you to three LSAT tests in a two-year period, including cancellations and absences.
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.
Does Taking the LSAT Multiple Times Look Bad? | LSAT Demon Daily, Ep. 239
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.
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 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.
Does taking the LSAT four 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 ...
Is a 149 LSAT bad?
You can get into law school with a low LSAT score if it is above 144-145. Scores in this range will get you into some lower-ranking schools, although the majority of law schools prefer scores above 150.
Should I retake the LSAT if I got a 160?
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 do law schools look at multiple LSATs?
If you have taken the LSAT twice, we will consider the highest score. If you take the test more than twice we will use the average score.”
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)
Should I retake a 161 LSAT?
In short, no. Law Schools do not care how many times you take the LSAT; however, it is more about the improvement or lack-of improvement between the exams. Meaning, if you took the exam 4 times and received a 143, 152, 155, and then 161 then this looks amazing to the law schools and taking the exam 4 times is fine.
Are multiple LSAT scores averaged?
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.
Do law schools see if you withdraw from the LSAT?
Law schools will not see if you withdraw online from the LSAT prior to the official administration. Law schools will, however, see if you cancel a score after you take the test.
Is there a downside to take the LSAT multiple times?
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. Here are six questions to ask yourself when deciding whether to retake the LSAT: How did your score compare to your average practice test scores?
Which LSAT month is the hardest?
There isn't one specific month that is the easiest or hardest to write the LSAT, and if there was, it would change each year since the students writing the LSAT change each year! The hardest test will be the one you haven't fully prepared for, regardless of the month!
Should I retake the LSAT if I got a 157?
An LSAT score of 157 is a decent score (approximately at the 74th percentile) and will not make a law school applicant unwanted and retaking the LSAT is certainly a viable option.
What is a poor LSAT score?
The LSAT score range is 120 to 180, with the average score being around 150. Above the 75th percentile (155 or higher) in all three sections is considered “good”; while below the 25th percentile (135 or lower) in one or more sections is considered “bad.”
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.
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.
Is the LSAT becoming obsolete?
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.
Is 139 a bad LSAT score?
139 is such a low score, it indicates that you will probably never pass a bar exam. The traditional cut-off score for law school admissions is 150. A score below 150 indicates that you are at such high risk of not being able to pass a bar exam, the law school cannot i…
Is it normal to feel bad after LSAT?
While we hear this after every administration of the test, that's probably small comfort to you. Now that it's over, if you still have LSAT results anxiety based on your experience, that's normal! Most people feel terrible when they come out of the test.