How many times can you take the LSAT? Believe it or not, the answer to this question has changed dramatically since September, 2017. Before this date, you used to be able to take the LSAT a total of 3 times. But since September, 2017, the amount of times you can retake the LSAT is unlimited! Talk about a big sigh of relief, am I right?!
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What Unlimited LSAT Tests Means For You
When I took the LSAT in June of 2015, the policy had been that you can only take the LSAT 3 times in a 2-year period. This included absences as well as cancellations. There was a sense of importance that as soon as I was taking my first LSAT, I had the next 24 months to get into the law school I wanted. You pretty much got one shot at it. If you did not get into the law school of your choice, you would need to retake the LSAT. And that already left you with just 2 more LSAT test dates and one more admission season.
Now, if you are not pleased with your LSAT performance or your admissions response from your dream law school, then you can retake the LSAT without rush for the next application season to fit within the 2-year window. Furthermore, studies show that those who take the LSAT a second time actually do better than those who took it their first or third time!
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What Unlimited LSAT Tests Does Not Mean For You
If the answer to how many times you can take the LSAT seems like a huge relief, then that’s great! Rock on with your LSAT retakes or reapply to your dream law school. The disadvantage, however, with retaking the LSAT multiple times is that each score is going to be valid and recorded from the previous 5 years.
These scores are automatically reported to law schools, both separate as well as averaged together. This means you should not be going into the LSAT testing center planning on retaking the LSAT. A poor score, even if it is just your first LSAT score, can hurt your admissions chances. Check out LSAC’s data on LSAT Repeaters.
Unlimited LSAT retakes does not completely wash away the responsibility on your part for proper planning and preparation. You should consider when you should take the LSAT given your studying timeframe as well as enroll in either a top LSAT prep course or home study program.
Average LSAT Retakes
Wondering just how many people retake the LSAT? If you are considering retaking the LSAT, you are certainly not alone.
According to this research report on LSAT retakes collected by LSAC, over a 7-year window from 2006-2013, the average of people taking the LSAT for the first time was 71%. This means that, on average, about 3 of 4 students taking the LSAT were taking it for the first time. Statistically speaking, this means that when you go into the LSAT, the majority of people are taking the LSAT for the first time.
The average of second-time LSAT test takers during this timeframe was 25%. This number drops yet again for third-time LSAT test takers at 4%.
What this tells us is that, on average, about 29% of people retake the LSAT.
Statistically, LSAT reapplicants are more likely to take the LSAT two or more times compared to those who do not choose to reapply to law school. It’s important to note registration dates, however, when choosing your next LSAT test date.
Can you Dramatically Increase Your Score on an LSAT Retake?
Now that you know the answer to how many times you can retake the LSAT, you may be wondering if it is even of any use at all. Can your score dramatically increase on an LSAT retake? The answer is not so black-and-white. If you utilize the best prep strategy and practice, it is possible to see a double-digit score increase! On the flip side, if you do not prepare strategically, use poor study material, or do not practice with real LSAT practice tests, then there is a pretty good chance you will see little to no improvement on your LSAT retake. Check out our full guide on LSAT scores to better understand how it’s calculated.
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