Get in touch: (800) 551-3410
Reviewed by:
Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University
Reviewed: 11/30/23
Taking the LSAT is no small feat. But how much does it cost? Read on to learn more!
While preparing for the LSAT, you’ve probably asked many questions, like how much the LSAT is. Part of preparing is knowing how to budget properly.
While you might think your LSAT budget should include the costs of any prep materials, the actual exam can be expensive. This guide will cover all the basic and additional fees you can expect to pay for this difficult exam.
The LSAT costs $238 for the 2025-2026 testing year. This fee covers the basic registration for the exam, which includes the LSAT itself and the LSAT Argumentative Writing component.
The CAS costs $207 for registration. This service is administered by the LSAC and is a subscription that remains valid for five years.
In addition to the registration fee, you'll need to pay $45 for each CAS report sent to law schools you apply to. These reports include your LSAT scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and other relevant application materials that have been standardized and authenticated by LSAC.
Most ABA-accredited law schools require applicants to use the CAS service as part of their application process. Even if you reapply to the same law school in a subsequent application cycle, you'll still need to purchase a new $45 CAS report for that school.
These reports add up if you apply to several law schools. You should create a realistic list of school choices to ensure admission to at least one.
We recommend applying to between 5 and 15 law schools in the US, with a target of around 12 applications. This helps you increase the chances of getting into at least one of your top choices, but the CAS reports alone will cost you $540.
If you’re eligible for financial need, LSAC's fee waiver program can cover the CAS registration fee and up to six CAS reports, along with other LSAT-related expenses.
The above LSAT fees are considered basic fees that every student pays. The following fees are optional add-ons you can purchase:
Students who want to cancel their score can purchase this add-on. You will receive your score at the same time as everyone else, but you will have six days to decide whether you want to keep or cancel it.
The LSAT score preview costs $45 if you sign up before the first day of testing for a given test administration but $80 if you sign up during a specified period after testing concludes.
Official LSAT score reports cost $50 and provide a complete record of all your LSAT scores, including:
These detailed reports are not required for standard law school applications, as schools automatically receive your reportable scores through CAS.
If you have concerns about the accuracy of your LSAT score, you can request a score audit for $150. This service is designed to verify that your answer sheet was scanned properly and scored, and the correct score was calculated based on your responses.
However, score audits rarely result in changes to the original score. This service is primarily for peace of mind rather than a likely means of improving your score. If you have room in your budget, by all means, but otherwise, this service is not recommended.
The most common auxiliary fee applicants purchase is test date changes. If you chose an LSAT test date and need to change it, you’ll have to pay a fee:
Circumstances change, and life can get in the way. Keep these dates in mind to prevent any unexpected charges.
If you’re a financially under-resourced test taker, you can apply for a fee waiver and be granted one of the two-tiered packages that are part of the LSAC Fee Waiver Program.
To qualify for an LSAT fee waiver, you must:
For independent applicants, Tier 1 eligibility is up to 235% of federal poverty guidelines, while Tier 2 is 235%-260%. For dependent applicants, Tier 1 is up to 200% of poverty guidelines, and Tier 2 is 200%-300%.
Tier 1 Fee Waiver Package:
Tier 2 Fee Waiver Package:
Law school applications are very expensive. If you’re eligible for either of these packages, ensure you apply for them to save where you can!
Now you know how much the LSAT is, but for any remaining questions, check out the FAQs below.
Yes, you can take the LSAT for free if you qualify for an LSAC fee waiver. These waivers are designed for financially under-resourced applicants who genuinely cannot afford the costs associated with taking the LSAT and applying to law schools.
The total cost of taking the LSAT is approximately $985 for the average applicant. This includes the $238 LSAT registration fee, $207 for the required Credential Assembly Service (CAS), and $540 for CAS reports to 12 law schools ($45 each).
The cost of LSAT preparation typically ranges from $0 to $3,000+. Students who rely on used and free materials may spend a few hundred dollars or less, and those who buy new materials and rely on courses, tutors, and more may spend thousands of dollars.
Retaking the LSAT costs $238, the same fee as the initial test registration. Consider LSAT tutoring with Juris Education to have the best success on your first attempt.
Yes, you can purchase a score preview that allows you to cancel your LSAT score.
It will only cost money to change your LSAT test date if you do so after your registration deadline.
Knowing exactly how much you can expect to pay for the LSAT can help you feel more prepared for and in control of the most daunting part of your law school application!
Good luck!
Reviewed by:
Former Head of Northeastern University's Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University
.avif)
