Thinking about law school? Then you already know the LSAT is a must for law school success. Every year, thousands of students line up for a shot at their dream school.
But here’s a surprising fact: the number of first-time test takers has been dropping year-over-year. The numbers were only 51.7% in 2022-2023. That’s a lot of people taking it more than once, but how many times could they redo it?
Based on this data, I’d say nearly every test taker has asked this at some point, whether they’re nervous about their first attempt or wondering if a retake will help boost their LSAT score. Let me break down the official rules, what they mean for your law school journey, and some tips to keep your head in the game.
Key Takeaways
- Retake Policy: Test takers may attempt the law school admission test up to three times per testing year, five times within five years, and a maximum of seven times in their lifetime.
- It’s Challenging: The LSAT is a highly challenging test requiring skills in logical reasoning, critical thinking, and time management to succeed.
- Score Visibility: Law schools will see all LSAT scores you earned in the past five years, not just your highest or most recent score.
- Growth Opportunity: Many law school applicants improve their LSAT scores through focused preparation in areas like logical reasoning and LSAT argumentative writing.
- Writing Matters: The LSAT argumentative writing section means practicing your essay strategy is more important than ever.
LSAT Retake Limits: What Test Takers Need to Know
Sometimes it takes more than one shot to get the LSAT score you want. And the good news is the LSAT is not a one-and-done exam. In fact, almost one in three LSAT candidates is a repeat test taker, which means you’re in good company if you want to give it another try.
The Law School Admission Council’s LSAT retake policy allows up to three attempts per testing year, with a max of five over any five-year period, and a total of seven in your lifetime. That means you have the flexibility to improve, but it also means you’ll need to plan out your testing schedule if you want to maximize your chances of gaining admittance to your top law school picks.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Every time you sit for the exam, even if you cancel your score afterward, it will still count as an attempt.
- If you register but then don’t show up, that won’t count against your total.
- You should also be aware that law school admission offices will notice repeat attempts and may look at your score patterns.
The LSAT: Not Just a Number
Don’t get bogged down thinking about the number of questions, because the LSAT consists of more than that. It’s not about the number of questions; it’s about assessing your logical reasoning, reading comprehension, and LSAT argumentative writing skills.
Yes, law schools do use your LSAT score as part of their admissions process, but they’re also interested in your growth and persistence. So, if you’re retaking the test, focus on your weak spots and make sure you understand the logic behind each section.
How Law Schools View Multiple LSAT Scores
Whether you took the LSAT once or repeatedly, your score report will reflect your entire testing history. And while some schools will just look at your highest score, others may look at your average or maybe even clear improvement each time you retook the test. But law school admissions committees value persistence, and know that many applicants will improve their logical reasoning and writing skills on a second or third try.
Having said that, some worry that taking the test multiple times might be a red flag. Just keep in mind that showing growth and determination is a strong indicator of your readiness for the difficulties of law school.
When and Why Test Takers Should Retake the Law School Admission Test
Retaking the LSAT makes sense for different reasons. It could be that you weren’t happy with your first LSAT score because you needed something higher for your dream school, or maybe you know you could do better on one of the sections with a bit more practice.
Whatever the reason, before registering again, take a close look at your timeline and application goals. Does it fit within your law school’s application deadlines? Have you given yourself enough time to improve, where necessary, the Logical Reasoning or Reading Comprehension section or your argumentative writing?
Strategies for Improving Your LSAT Score
Improving your LSAT score will take more than just repeating the practice questions. Focus on the areas where you feel you screwed up in previous exams. There are lots of official LSAT prep materials and practice tests that allow you to familiarize yourself with the test format and even practice under timed conditions, so that you can mirror the reality of test day and its pressure.
If you’re struggling with the argumentative writing section, remember that law schools will value your persuasive writing skills and logical arguments backed by evidence. Practice outlining your essays before you start writing, and review sample prompts to get comfortable with the kinds of issues you’ll need to analyze.
According to bar exam and moot court writing experts, clarity, structure, and a logical application of rules and facts are what’s really necessary for strong legal writing. It’s not just about writing more; it’s about writing better.
When you’re practicing the logical reasoning section, be sure to focus on understanding the reasoning patterns behind each question instead of just trying to memorize answers, not that you can do that anyway. Law schools are interested in students who can spot relevant issues, apply legal rules to new facts, and then draw well-supported conclusions.
Final Thought
Don’t stress—too much—about how many times you can take the LSAT. Especially now that you know only about half of the people taking it each year are taking it for the first time, and the number of times you can take it.
Again, you can sit for the LSAT up to three times each year, five times over five years, and a maximum of seven times in your life. And many test takers do better on their second or third try. Take the time to review your performance, understand the rules, and work on weak spots. The LSAT is your chance to show law schools that you’re ready for the challenge ahead.
FAQs
It’s not uncommon. More than 4% of test takers in 2022-2023 were taking it for the fourth time. Four attempts are within the policy limits and are not considered unusual.
No. But admissions committees will see your full LSAT history from the last five years. Some schools may consider upward trends or ask about significant score changes, but for the most part, multiple attempts won’t have a negative impact.
A score of 172 on the LSAT is considered exceptional and will put you well above the vast majority of test takers. Each year, only about 1% to 2% of all candidates reach high LSAT scores at this level.
Absolutely. You’re allowed to take it up to three times in one testing year, five times within a rolling five-year window, and seven times in your lifetime.
Anyone interested in applying to a law school that requires the LSAT can register and take the LSAT. There are no formal educational prerequisites.
