Is there a maximum amount of times you can take the LSAT?

Asked by: Ralph Mosciski DVM  |  Last update: June 3, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (71 votes)

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 LSAT attempts is too many?

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.

Is taking the LSAT 5 times 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 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?

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.

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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 many times does the average person 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.

Should I retake a 165 LSAT?

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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 is a perfect LSAT score?

The highest LSAT score is 180. The average LSAT score is about 152.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Do law schools look at the LSAT score band?

LSAT scores are reported to law schools along with a score band because the estimate of proficiency provided by a given LSAT score is not perfect.

What happens if you get a 180 on the LSAT?

Since LSAT questions can be somewhat subjective, such differences are not statistically meaningful. Thus, law schools know that 180 is not a magic number. To take your best shot at a top law school, aim for a score in the 170s, the mid-170s if possible. A score of 180 will stand out, but it is not a golden ticket.

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.

What was Elle Woods' GPA?

In the film, Legally Blonde, Woods is a sorority sister living at the Delta Nu House at the fictional California University Los Angeles (CULA) (USC in the novel, UCLA in the musical) where she studies in Fashion Merchandising and maintains a 4.0 GPA.

Is 172 a high LSAT score?

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.

Is a 2.7 GPA good in law school?

A low GPA for law schools will entirely depend on your goals. If your GPA is at or below a school's 25th percentile, your GPA will be considered low for that school. So generally, if you're trying to get into the top schools, a GPA below 3.6 will be considered low.

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.

Do law schools see how many times you took the LSAT?

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.

What year do most people take the LSAT?

If you are currently in college and want to attend law school immediately after your graduation, you should be aiming to take the LSAT in the summer between your junior and senior year or the fall of your senior year.

What is the best LSAT prep book?

Best Introductory LSAT Prep Books
  • The Official LSAT SuperPrep. Link: www.amazon.com. ...
  • The Road to 180. Link: www.amazon.com. ...
  • The LSAT Trainer. Link: www.amazon.com. ...
  • Let's LSAT. ...
  • Introducing the LSAT: The Fox Test Prep. ...
  • Manhattan Prep's LSAT Strategy Guide Set. ...
  • 33 Common LSAT Flaws. ...
  • Kaplan's LSAT Prep Plus 2020 — 2021.

Do law schools care if you take the LSAT twice?

Students who take the LSAT just once with a high score may have a slight edge over those who take it multiple times. However, it does not hurt your chances of getting into law school if you take the LSAT more than once.