Should I take LSAT writing again?

Asked by: Prof. Dereck Murray  |  Last update: October 28, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (70 votes)

If you have already completed an LSAT Writing or LSAT Argumentative Writing sample, you do not need to complete LSAT Argumentative Writing again.

Is it worth taking the LSAT twice?

LSAC data suggest that the first score is an excellent predictor of a second score; applicants are thus advised to re-take the test only if there is reason to expect significant improvement. We certainly do not wish to encourage expenditures on repeat test taking.

Should I retake LSAT writing on Reddit?

No. Per the LSAC website: "Candidates are only required to have one writing sample on file for their LSAT to be considered complete.

How do you know if you should retake LSAT?

Comments Section As a general rule: it's rational to retake when you know you can do better, and irrational to retake if you already scored in the upper end of your range (unless you do something to increase your range, like study for another couple months). If 168 is low for your usual PT range, I'd 100% retake.

Does LSAT writing actually matter?

Is LSAT Writing used in law school admissions? Not really. There's a chance that your LSAT essay just may go totally unread. LSAT writing samples are rarely used to evaluate law school candidates, so no matter how well or poorly you did, this exercise will most likely not affect your admissions chances.

If I Wanted A 175+ LSAT Score in February 2025, This is What I'd Do [FULL BLUEPRINT]

31 related questions found

Should I retake my LSAT writing?

If you have already completed an LSAT Writing or LSAT Argumentative Writing sample, you do not need to complete LSAT Argumentative Writing again.

Does LSAT outweigh GPA?

Yes, many schools with holistic admissions prioritize LSAT scores and other qualities over strictly GPA. Check individual schools for their approach.

Does retaking the LSAT look bad?

No, law schools don't really care if you retake the LSAT. However, if you have multiple LSAT scores (four or more) it may raise a few eyebrows and make the admissions committees question your time management, dedication, and academic potential a little more.

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.

Is a 163 a good LSAT score?

A good LSAT score is anything above 160.

Does the writing portion of the LSAT affect your score?

LSAT Argumentative Writing samples are not scored, but LSAT Argumentative Writing is a required part of the LSAT. Your LSAT score cannot be released to law schools if you do not have a completed and approved LSAT Argumentative Writing sample on file (or an LSAT Writing sample from a previous test administration).

How many times can I do LSAT writing?

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.

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.

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 percent of people take the LSAT twice?

The primary results covered in this report are summarized below. The average percentages of first-, second-, and third-time test takers over these 7 testing years were about 71%, 25%, and 4%, respectively.

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.

How bad is a 149 on the LSAT?

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. For expert prep on increasing your score and chances of accetpance, speak with a counselor at Juris Education.

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.

Is your GPA or LSAT more important?

Most law schools tend to give LSAT scores a bit more weight, but some schools care more about grades. The admissions process is inevitably subjective, and some admissions officers might be more forgiving of a gap than others.

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.

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

Remember that law schools will see the score of every uncanceled test you take. While you can use score preview to see your score before deciding whether to cancel it, it won't look great to have multiple canceled scores or scores with little variance.

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 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 a 3.2 GPA bad for law school?

So generally, if you're trying to get into the top schools, a GPA below 3.6 will be considered low. But to answer the question what GPA do you need to get into law school, any law school, then the answer is at least a 2.5. That is realistically the lowest GPA you can have to get into law school.