Is it bad to take LSAT more than once?

Asked by: Gina Anderson  |  Last update: September 7, 2022
Score: 4.7/5 (62 votes)

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.

Does retaking the LSAT hurt you?

If it's your first time taking the LSAT, no pressure. Taking the LSAT twice or even three times is totally fine. If, come the week before LSAT test day, you're not scoring something that would put you in contention for the schools you want to go to, well, you can withdraw if you like.

Do law schools care how many times you take LSAT?

Need-based fee waivers cover only two tests over two years. Applicants looking for practice tests can find much cheaper options, even for proctored practice tests in live settings. Second, law schools will see each time applicants take the LSAT, even if an applicant cancels the score.

How many times is too much to 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. The old policy limited you to three LSAT tests in a two-year period, including cancellations and absences.

What if I do worse on my second LSAT?

The downside of retaking is largely gone as well! Even if you do worse on a retake, law schools still have the ability and the incentive just to consider your higher score. That said, law schools generally don't view a 1 or 2 point score bump as a significant improvement.

How many times should you take the LSAT

24 related questions found

How hard 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. Still, it won't guarantee you admission at a top law school. Other parts of your application are still a factor.

Is a 157 a good LSAT score?

Among the 192 law schools ranked by U.S. News & World Report in 2019, the average median LSAT score was 156. If we were to speak about a good LSAT score in very broad terms, 157 or above would be a reasonable place to start. Anything above 160 is not a bad LSAT score.

Can I get into Harvard with a 168 LSAT?

The T-6 are Harvard, Yale, Stanford, University of Chicago, Columbia, NYU, and the University of Pennsylvania (there are currently seven schools in the T-6 due to ties). A good LSAT score for the T-6, and what one should aim for in order to get in, is a 172 or higher.

Is 164 a good LSAT score?

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.

Can law schools see all your LSAT scores?

Law schools will see every time an applicant takes the LSAT. Law schools will see if you cancel a score for whatever reason. Law schools do not average the scores for admission, but we always look at performance if you've taken the test more than once.

Is 152 a good LSAT score?

Having a score of 152 means that you ranked in the 50th percentile and that you did better than 50 percent of all test-takers. If your goal is to get into one of the top 25 law schools in the country, you'll need to achieve a score of 160 or better.

Can I get into law school with a 139 LSAT score?

While you may be able to apply and even be accepted into a law school with a lower LSAT score, there is a cut-off for acceptable application scores. If you are consistently scoring lower than 145, you may need to consider significant studying and a retake before applying to law schools.

Should I retake a 166 LSAT?

If you get your official LSAT score back and it is significantly lower than your practice test average, you should retake. For example, if your last 3 practice test scores were a 165, 167, and 166, but on test day you scored a 158, you should definitely retake the LSAT.

Is 154 a good LSAT score?

The traditional LSAT test has approximately 94-106 questions, with each correct answer counting for one point of your raw score. The average LSAT score is about 150. To get into a top 14 law school, you need to score above 162, and to get into a top 50 law school, you need 154 or above.

Is a 167 LSAT score good?

The average LSAT score for law schools at the top of the rankings ranges from 167-172. On the other hand, scores of 145-155 are generally good enough to be accepted into less prestigious law schools.

Should I retake the LSAT if I got a 155?

If you are deciding whether to retake, the good news is that law schools currently put very little if any weight on any lower LSAT scores you have. This means that if you improve on a retake, you'll be judged by a higher score. Even if your score gets worse, you still aren't substantially worse off.

What did Elle Woods get on her LSAT?

In the film, Elle scored a 179 on her LSAT. That is one point away from a perfect score of 180. This means she scored in the 90th overall percentile. The average student's LSAT score is a 150.

Is a 3.8 good for law school?

However, among the highest-ranked law schools, the norm is to admit people with near-perfect college grades. All of the top-10 law schools had median GPAs of 3.7 or higher. Seven of these 10 schools had a median GPA that was at least a 3.8, and among those three had a median GPA that was a 3.9 or above.

Is LSAT more important than GPA?

While LSAT is the most important factor, GPA is still significant. When you get down into schools lower in the rankings (outside the top 10 schools), numbers alone become an even better predictor of how likely you are to get into a specific school. LSAT is still the more important number than GPA.

What was Obama's LSAT score?

Unraveling the secret behind Obama's LSAT Score

Only two of them scored over the 63% mark; and in fact scored between 94-98%, which would be equivalent to a score of 166 – 171 in today's grading system.

What is the lowest LSAT score Harvard has accepted?

Although there is no “cutoff” LSAT score that you need to get into Harvard Law School, Harvard only offers admission to a small percentage of its applicants. Therefore, to gain admission to Harvard Law School, you will likely need an LSAT score in the 170+ range.

Can I get into law school with a 135 LSAT?

Law schools generally require that you have specified minimum collegiate GPA and LSAT scores to qualify for admission. Harvard, Yale, and the other top five-ranked law schools require that you have a GPA of at least 3.50 and an LSAT score of 170.

What LSAT score do I need for scholarships?

Did you know that 90% of students with LSAT scores between 166 and 180 will receive merit scholarships, compared to only 16% of those with an LSAT score below 140? That huge differential holds even at schools known for their generosity.

What is a good LSAT score without studying?

From our independent research, we've found that students who take the LSAT without studying achieve scores between 145-153. Scoring for the LSAT is scaled. This essentially means the number of questions you answered correctly will be compared to the other students who took the exam at the same time.