Should you retake the LSAT?

A disappointing score is not the end of the road. Because of how schools treat the LSAT, retaking is often the right move, but not always. Here is how to think about it.

Schools use your highest score

For admissions and for their own rankings, law schools generally focus on your highest LSAT score, not your average. They may see every score on your record, but the highest is the one that carries the weight. That single fact is why a retake usually has more upside than downside.

Retake if any of these is true

• You scored below your practice-test average. A bad day does not reflect your real level, and your practice average is the better estimate.
• You are below your target schools' medians. A few points could change which schools and scholarships are open to you.
• Something went wrong on test day. Illness, nerves, or a technical problem are all fixable on a second attempt.

Think twice if

You already scored at or above your practice average and your target schools' medians, or you have not changed anything in your preparation since the last attempt. Retaking without a new plan tends to produce the same score. If you retake, retake differently.

The practical limits

You can retake the LSAT, but within limits LSAC sets on how many times you can sit it in a given period and over your lifetime, and the test is offered many times a year. Plan your retake date around when your practice scores recover, not the soonest available slot.

Make the second one count

The students who improve on a retake are the ones who change their approach, not just their date. If you are deciding whether to sit it again, a free consultation gives you a straight read on whether a retake is likely to move your number.