Is it bad to use an old LSAT score?
Asked by: Terrance Deckow V | Last update: August 23, 2025Score: 5/5 (71 votes)
LSAT scores earned prior to June 2019 are not considered valid for law school admission and are not included in your score report. However, if you would like a copy of your nonreportable LSAT scores for your personal records, you can order an Official Candidate LSAT Score Report.
Do law schools care about old LSAT scores?
According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), LSAT scores typically have a five-year shelf life, but some schools prefer scores from the last three to four years.
How long do LSAT scores stay valid?
For many schools, the LSAT is weighted just as heavily as (or even more heavily than) your undergraduate grade point average (GPA). You need to focus on reaching your highest potential score. The good news is that LSAT scores are valid for 5 years.
What happens to LSAT scores after 5 years?
If your LSAT score is older than five years, you cannot use it to apply to law school. You need a reportable score to complete your application. Alternatively, you could potentially choose to apply with a GRE score if you've sworn off the LSAT forever, but that comes with its own set of cons.
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.
Why study old LSAT PrepTests
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…
Can I use an old LSAT score?
LSAT scores earned prior to June 2019 are not considered valid for law school admission and are not included in your score report.
Should I keep a 152 LSAT score?
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.
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.
Should I keep a 155 LSAT score?
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. A top 10 law school typically requires a 170 or above.
Is 172 a good LSAT score?
On the other end of the spectrum we can consider an LSAT score of 172. An LSAT score of 172 means the student scored better than about 99% of applicants.
Should I keep a 145 LSAT score?
A 144-145 is generally considered to be the lowest acceptable score to attend law school. The median LSAT score is around 151-152, so 144-145 is significantly lower than this. As such, the majority of law schools will not accept scores below this.
How long can I use my LSAT score?
Your LSAT score will remain valid for 5 testing years from the test date. This means that the LSAC will report your score to law schools only if you have completed the test within 5 years. For example, if you took the test on June 8, 2024, this score will be reported until June 8, 2029.
Does taking the LSAT 3 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 ...
What's the lowest LSAT score that is acceptable by law school?
The below table shows the schools that accept the lowest LSAT scores. This shows that the lowest acceptable LSAT score is 139. Typically, a good rule of thumb is that you want to at least break 140 to make taking on the cost of law school economically feasible. You can get into a law school with a 140 LSAT score.
Should I cancel a 155 LSAT?
It is not, however, a reason to cancel your LSAT score. If you seriously studied and committed to preparing for the exam in the months leading up to it, then you should be in a good position to keep the score. Even if you didn't get a 180, it's likely that this score reflects your aptitude and abilities.
Can I get into Harvard with a 155 LSAT?
So as you probably expect, most students at the top three law schools have LSAT scores somewhere in the stratosphere. But roughly 25% of the entering classes at Harvard, Yale, and Stanford have LSAT scores at or below 170. Every year some students with scores in the 150s and many in the 160s will be admitted.
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.
Do law schools care about previous LSAT scores?
"Even though the ABA requires that we report the highest LSAT score, the Committee considers the entire LSAT testing history when evaluating applications for admission."
Can I cancel an old LSAT score?
Valid score cancellation requests are irreversible and cannot be rescinded. Once your score is released, it becomes a permanent part of your record, and you will not be permitted to cancel that score unless you have purchased LSAT Score Preview.
How many people get a 180 on the 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.
Should I cancel a 139 LSAT score?
If you feel that you performed poorly on your LSAT, it may be a good idea to cancel your score. However, keep in mind that you do not get a refund if you cancel your score. Once a request to cancel an LSAT score is approved, the cancellation cannot be reversed.
Will a 180 LSAT get you in anywhere?
LSAT takers can score anywhere from 120 to 180. With that big of a range, what kind of score should you aim for? Realistically, you should try to get a score of at least 150. That's the score that will get you into any accredited law school.
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.