Why are LSAT prep courses so expensive?

Asked by: Albertha Collins  |  Last update: January 27, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (39 votes)

LSAT prep courses are expensive due to the high value placed on improving scores for law school admissions (potentially saving thousands in debt/earning scholarships), the complexity of the test, demand for expert instruction, extensive high-quality materials (videos, practice tests), personalized feedback, and the significant investment in creating these comprehensive programs. The cost reflects the potential high return on investment (ROI) for achieving a higher score that unlocks better law schools and financial aid.

Should I pay for an LSAT prep course?

In general, you definitely don't need to pay for one. My impression is that most people spend at least a little money on LSAT prep, but plenty of people get fantastic scores without spending much (eg the $1000 courses).

Can you get a 170 on the LSAT without studying?

The LSAT Is A Very Challenging Exam

To be clear, there are dozens of verified examples of individuals over the past decade who have scored above 165 without studying, but those are few and far between.

Is 148 a bad LSAT score?

A 148 LSAT score is considered below average (the national median is around 153) and is often seen as a "high-risk" score for bar passage, making admission to many ABA-accredited law schools challenging without a very high GPA or strong retake. While not impossible to get into some programs (especially lower-ranked schools or with exceptional GPA), many sources suggest it indicates a need to improve fundamentals and retake the test, as it's below the typical threshold where schools see high risk of bar exam failure. 

Are there any free LSAT prep courses?

Official LSAT Prep® and LawHub Advantage by LSAC LawHub. Build test day confidence through unlimited practice that allows you to simulate the test-taking experience. Free access to Official LSAT Prep® is available through your LSAC account.

Exact study schedule that got me to a 180 LSAT

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Has Kim Kardashian taken the LSAT?

Kim takes the California Bar Exam's “baby bar” without completing a bachelor's degree or taking the LSAT. Kim continues to balance her legal pursuits with media and business ventures, using her platform for criminal justice reform advocacy.

How rare is a 172 on the LSAT?

A 172 LSAT score is extremely rare and elite, placing you in roughly the top 3% (97th percentile) of test-takers, meaning you scored better than over 97 out of 100 people, making it a very strong score for even the most competitive T14 law schools. While common on law school forums, it's statistically exceptional, outperforming most applicants for top programs, though some extremely selective schools have medians even higher. 

What was Barack Obama's LSAT score?

Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely above 170, potentially near perfect) to gain admission to Harvard Law School despite a lower undergraduate GPA, suggesting he was in the top few percentile of test-takers for his application year. While no official number exists, analyses point to a score in the top tier (e.g., 94th-98th percentile) to overcome his GPA for admission to a top-ranked program like Harvard.
 

What percent of LSAT takers get a 170?

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.

What score did Elle Woods get on her LSAT?

Elle Woods scored a 179 on the LSAT, just one point shy of a perfect 180, after going from a 143 on a practice test to achieving this near-perfect score by studying intensely for Harvard Law School. Her remarkable score, combined with a 4.0 GPA, secured her admission to Harvard Law.
 

Is the MCAT or LSAT harder?

Is the MCAT harder than the LSAT or GRE? Generally, yes. The MCAT is much longer (7.5 hours) and requires deep content knowledge in biology, physics, psychology, and critical thinking. The GRE and LSAT focus more on logic and verbal reasoning.

How many mistakes for 165 LSAT?

On a four section LSAT, you can miss roughly 18 questions and get a 165. On a three section LSAT, you can miss roughly 13 questions and get a 165.

Has anyone gotten a 180 on the LSAT?

I scored a 180 on the July 2020 LSAT (it was my first time taking it) and I'm writing to share what I did. I was very encouraged by the 180 experiences that I had read online, and I wanted to write something similar before the memory faded away.

Is Blueprint or Kaplan better for LSAT?

Both prep courses are built to prepare you for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), but Blueprint offers a more modern, tech-forward learning experience. Kaplan is better suited for students who prefer a traditional structure and in-person options.

What's the hardest part of the LSAT?

The hardest LSAT sections vary by student, but commonly cited challenges include Logical Reasoning (LR) for its abstract language and nuanced question types (like Parallel Reasoning/Flaw), and Reading Comprehension (RC) due to ingrained reading habits, especially with complex science or legal passages (e.g., Waterbugs, Dworkin). While often feared, Logic Games (LG) (Analytical Reasoning) is generally considered the most learnable and perfectible section, despite tough hybrid or new rule questions. 

Is it possible to get financial aid for law school?

You may be eligible for several different types of aid, which may be available to bring the cost of attending law school within reach. The amount of aid you receive in each category will depend on your own resources, current federal regulations, and the financial aid policies and resources of each law school.

Did Kim Kardashian pass the LSAT?

Indeed, Kim revealed on Nov. 8 that she sadly did not pass the all-important exam, but she wasn't calling it quits, either. "Six years into this law journey, and I'm still all in until I pass the bar," she wrote in a post on her Instagram Stories.

Is the LSAT harder than the bar exam?

Most people consider the Bar Exam harder than the LSAT because it requires memorizing vast amounts of "black letter law" and applying it under extreme pressure, whereas the LSAT tests reasoning skills, but the LSAT's difficulty lies in its highly competitive scoring and abstract logic, making high scores harder to achieve for top schools. The LSAT is a skill-based test for law school entry, while the Bar is a knowledge-based test for licensure, making the Bar more about rote learning and the LSAT about logical aptitude.
 

What is the median LSAT score for Yale?

The above statistics show that Yale Law School typically admits students with LSAT scores ranging from 171 (25th percentile) to 177 (75th percentile), with a median of 174.

Did Michelle Obama ever pass a bar exam?

Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
 

What did Ben Affleck get on his SAT?

Ben Affleck reportedly had a "near-perfect" or "almost perfect" SAT score, rumored to be 1600, on the old 1600-point scale, though the exact score isn't officially confirmed, with sources citing sources like the New York Times on his high aptitude despite poor high school attendance.
 

What is most people's first LSAT score?

The average LSAT score is around 152, though many top-100 schools will require more than the average for admissions. Schools will compare you to other applicants from the same cycle.

How did Elle Woods get a 179 on the LSAT?

Elle surrounded herself with numerous LSAT prep books, emphasizing the importance of using real LSAT questions for practice. This approach is essential for understanding complex concepts and patterns unique to the LSAT.

Can you get into Harvard with a 173 LSAT?

To give yourself a realistic chance of acceptance into Harvard Law School, students should aim to score 171 or above on the LSAT, with the most competitive applicants scoring 174 or higher. The median LSAT score for admitted students is 174.

What is considered a failing LSAT score?

If you are wondering what a good LSAT Score is, there is no failing or passing score on the LSAT. But your score is more than simply the number of questions you got right or wrong—it's slightly more complicated than that.