LSAT POLICIES
SCORE RELEASE DATES
LSAT scores are generally released 3 weeks after any test administration. Candidates must complete the LSAT Writing unscored test before any scores are released.
REMOTE PROCTORING, TABLETS & USE OF SCRAP PAPER
The Digital LSAT is currently being proctored both remotely, and at test centers. The exam was designed for a touch-screen tablet, which LSAC can provide upon request to any registered testtaker. During the test, each candidate can bring up to 5 pieces of scrap paper (blank, lined, or graph) and a writing instrument.
SCORE PREVIEW NOW ALLOWS ALL LSAT CANDIDATES TO SEE THEIR SCORES BEFORE CANCELLING
The Score Preview feature -- which allows a candidate to view their score before deciding to cancel it-- started with the August 2020 test administration. Until this year, only First-time LSAT-takers could exercise the Score Preview option for a fee of $45. Fortunately, LSAC now permits ALL test-takers to Preview their scores before deciding whether to share the scores with law schools. Score Preview costs $45 if you purchase it prior to the first day of testing for a given test administration, or $75 for those who purchase the option during a specified period after their test administration. Click here to view Score Preview deadlines for all upcoming test adminstrations
STANDARD RETAKE POLICY FOR DIGITAL LSAT: 3-in-1; 5-in-5; and 7- overall (maybe...)
Law School Candidates can take the LSAT up to three (3) times per year (no testing before September 2019 counts toward this calculation). They may also take the LSAT five (5) times in five (5) years, and seven (7) times during their lifetime. Applicants who have cause, may appeal to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) for permission to take the LSAT more often than the general policy permits. This official retake policy does not apply to any LSAT FLEX administration (which was developed during the pandemic - and did not include a fourth, experimental section), since sitting for any LSAT FLEX administration does not count towards a candidate's annual or lifetime test limits. However, the final LSAT Flex will be offered in June 2021, after which time, the standard retake policy will apply.
REPEATING THE LSAT, IMPACT OF MULTIPLE SCORES: Exceeding the Margin of Error
It is not advisable to take an actual LSAT for "practice" purposes-- either test your best or not at all. Though schools have moved away from averaging LSAT scores, there is no reason to broadcast any sub-par scores to admissions officers who are evaluating your ability to succeed at their school. An LSAT score stays on your record for 5 years and if it is low, you must include an addendum with your application explaining (and implicitly apologizing for) your LSAT record. This is why it is best to avoid a foreseeably low score by either rescheduling your test date or cancelling your score within 5 days of taking the exam. Note that only first time LSAT -takers have the benefit of being able to Preview their score before cancellation.
If you end up retaking the LSAT it is important to raise your score by 6 or more points (thus escaping the +/- 3 point error of the test), otherwise an improved score may not impact your chance of admission, and may not warrant delaying your applications. Though it is possible that 1 to 5 points of improvements may help (especially if such an improvement is on a cusp on the score curve), such improvements are not as statistically significant as an increase of at least 6 points because admissions officers are aware of the margin of error on the LSAT.
Indeed, it is due to this imprecision that LSAT scores are reported in "bands"- which take into account the inherent error of the test. Due to the anomalies in the LSAT scale, many admissions officers prefer to consider a student's LSAT percentile- which tends to be a more stable mathematical assessment of performance.
LSAT scores are generally released 3 weeks after any test administration. Candidates must complete the LSAT Writing unscored test before any scores are released.
REMOTE PROCTORING, TABLETS & USE OF SCRAP PAPER
The Digital LSAT is currently being proctored both remotely, and at test centers. The exam was designed for a touch-screen tablet, which LSAC can provide upon request to any registered testtaker. During the test, each candidate can bring up to 5 pieces of scrap paper (blank, lined, or graph) and a writing instrument.
SCORE PREVIEW NOW ALLOWS ALL LSAT CANDIDATES TO SEE THEIR SCORES BEFORE CANCELLING
The Score Preview feature -- which allows a candidate to view their score before deciding to cancel it-- started with the August 2020 test administration. Until this year, only First-time LSAT-takers could exercise the Score Preview option for a fee of $45. Fortunately, LSAC now permits ALL test-takers to Preview their scores before deciding whether to share the scores with law schools. Score Preview costs $45 if you purchase it prior to the first day of testing for a given test administration, or $75 for those who purchase the option during a specified period after their test administration. Click here to view Score Preview deadlines for all upcoming test adminstrations
STANDARD RETAKE POLICY FOR DIGITAL LSAT: 3-in-1; 5-in-5; and 7- overall (maybe...)
Law School Candidates can take the LSAT up to three (3) times per year (no testing before September 2019 counts toward this calculation). They may also take the LSAT five (5) times in five (5) years, and seven (7) times during their lifetime. Applicants who have cause, may appeal to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) for permission to take the LSAT more often than the general policy permits. This official retake policy does not apply to any LSAT FLEX administration (which was developed during the pandemic - and did not include a fourth, experimental section), since sitting for any LSAT FLEX administration does not count towards a candidate's annual or lifetime test limits. However, the final LSAT Flex will be offered in June 2021, after which time, the standard retake policy will apply.
REPEATING THE LSAT, IMPACT OF MULTIPLE SCORES: Exceeding the Margin of Error
It is not advisable to take an actual LSAT for "practice" purposes-- either test your best or not at all. Though schools have moved away from averaging LSAT scores, there is no reason to broadcast any sub-par scores to admissions officers who are evaluating your ability to succeed at their school. An LSAT score stays on your record for 5 years and if it is low, you must include an addendum with your application explaining (and implicitly apologizing for) your LSAT record. This is why it is best to avoid a foreseeably low score by either rescheduling your test date or cancelling your score within 5 days of taking the exam. Note that only first time LSAT -takers have the benefit of being able to Preview their score before cancellation.
If you end up retaking the LSAT it is important to raise your score by 6 or more points (thus escaping the +/- 3 point error of the test), otherwise an improved score may not impact your chance of admission, and may not warrant delaying your applications. Though it is possible that 1 to 5 points of improvements may help (especially if such an improvement is on a cusp on the score curve), such improvements are not as statistically significant as an increase of at least 6 points because admissions officers are aware of the margin of error on the LSAT.
Indeed, it is due to this imprecision that LSAT scores are reported in "bands"- which take into account the inherent error of the test. Due to the anomalies in the LSAT scale, many admissions officers prefer to consider a student's LSAT percentile- which tends to be a more stable mathematical assessment of performance.