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Reviewed by:
Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University
Reviewed: 01/16/23
If you’re beginning to study for the LSAT or have already written the exam and want to learn more about retaking it, read on.
The LSAT is a unique, challenging test with long reading comprehension passages and answers that all look the same. The thought of rewriting the LSAT might be plaguing your thoughts.
You may even wonder if you can retake the LSAT and, more importantly, if you should. This guide will cover everything you need to know about retaking the LSAT to ease your LSAT nerves.
You can retake the LSAT if you are unsatisfied with your first score. A large majority of test-takers retake the LSAT. In 2023-2024, only 48.60% of test-takers were first-time writers. The other 51.40% were repeat test takers!
So, if you need to write the LSAT again, you are not alone.
You should only retake the LSAT if your score is lower than anticipated because it may significantly reduce your chances of getting into your top law school.
If you achieved a relatively good LSAT score, you may still be a competitive applicant, depending on the school you’re applying to. In this case, you shouldn’t retake the LSAT.
If you scored 180 on the LSAT in the current and past five testing years, you also can’t retake it. If you’re one of these students, consider yourselves lucky, as this is incredibly rare!
You can retake the LSAT five times within the current reportable score period and seven times over a lifetime. While this seems limiting, most repeat test-takers only rewrite the LSAT once or twice before getting a satisfactory score.
We’ve established that you can retake the LSAT, but should you? Before you register for the LSAT again, consider the following:
While you’ll be retaking your LSAT hoping to get a higher score, statistics show you shouldn’t expect to improve drastically on your second LSAT attempt.
According to LSAT retake scores, most students only increase their score by two or three points.
Beating this average will take more than simply continuing your previous test strategies. To maximize your chances of increasing your score as much as possible, change your test strategy or enhance it. One way to strengthen it is to create customized practice exams containing the sections you felt you did the poorest on.
Another excellent way to ensure you’re better prepared for your next LSAT is to trust professionals who know how to get you to your target score. Juris tutors help students achieve a 12-point increase on average and can personalize your study schedule to target your weaknesses!
Your LSAT score only reflects the level of skill and aptitude you honed through your study sessions. Accordingly, you shouldn’t expect your actual LSAT score to be much higher than your practice scores.
Since most practice tests use previous exam questions that may not be used anymore, you can expect your actual LSAT score to be lower than your practice scores.
If you want to retake the LSAT, you must reassess your study strategy. You should only attempt to retake the LSAT when your practice scores improve.
Life often presents unexpected challenges that can disrupt your plans. One way to maintain control over your law school application timeline is by carefully planning your LSAT strategy.
The LSAT is offered only a few times annually. If you take the final available test for your intended enrollment year and decide you need to retake it, you may have to postpone law school by an entire year.
However, delaying law school may not be an issue if your schedule is flexible. If you're eager to begin law school as soon as possible, multiple LSAT attempts could cause significant delays.
Schedule your first LSAT several months before application deadlines to avoid timeline complications. This buffer provides time for a potential retake while still meeting application deadlines for your target enrollment year.
Law schools receive your reportable LSAT scores. However, admissions officers assess them differently.
Some law schools take the median of all scores and use that to judge your candidacy; other schools just look at your highest score. If this is the case, you can rewrite the LSAT and hopefully improve your score; if you don’t, you’ll still have your first score to fall back on.
If your LSAT score is within the same percentile rank as your target score, you likely still have a good chance of getting into your dream law school. You might have to strengthen your application in other ways.
While your LSAT score is one of the most critical parts of your application, it isn’t the only aspect. Instead of spending more time and effort on the LSAT, allocate that to your personal statement and resume.
A personal statement can make or break your application. If written well, it can explain or offset your lower LSAT score. You can also prove your academic potential through your resume by listing any noteworthy accomplishments.
You may also write an addendum to explain why your score was so low. But only do this if you faced a significant barrier that prevented you from achieving your desired score. Saying you didn’t have enough time to study is not an acceptable reason!
The basic LSAT registration fee is $238, so you shouldn’t take rewrites lightly; they aren’t safety blankets. If your percentile isn’t too far from your desired score, save your money. Law school is already expensive enough.
If you have any questions about retaking the LSAT, find your answers below.
Taking the LSAT twice can benefit many aspiring law students, but the decision depends on individual circumstances. If your score is much lower than your target score, then it may be worth it to retake the LSAT.
Law schools generally do not care if you retake the LSAT, and in many cases, they encourage it if you believe you can improve your score. Score improvements can show positive qualities like dedication and good study habits.
Most law schools only consider the highest LSAT score for admissions purposes. As such, your lower score won't directly harm your chances.
You can register for the LSAT again right after your first test date. However, if you select a January test, you won’t be able to write the February one because the registration deadlines are too close.
You shouldn’t retake the LSAT if you’ve already gotten a score within a competitive range of your desired school’s LSAT requirements. Doing so can weaken your application if you receive a lower mark or show no improvement.
Most law schools require the LSAT for admission. According to the LSAC, your LSAT score and undergraduate GPA are "most predictive for success in law school and are fundamental for admission decisions." However, some schools accept alternative standardized tests like the GRE, GMAT, or JD Next.
If, after considering the factors above, you still think retaking the LSAT is in your best interests and admission chances, then it is worth it to rewrite the LSAT. Doing so can make you a stronger candidate.
Ensure you reassess your study plan and methods, get additional support and resources, and take a deep breath! You’ve already done this once; the second time should be much easier!
Reviewed by:
Former Head of Northeastern University's Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University
