How many times are you allowed to take the LSAT?

Generally, the LSAC allows you to take the LSAT no more than three times in any two year period (even if your scores are cancelled or otherwise unreported). There are select exceptions to this rule: “You may retake the LSAT if a law school to which you are applying requires a more recent score than any you have on record, or approves your retaking the test, and the school provides LSAC with written proof of its requirement no later than the last day of registration for the test.”

How LSAT scores are reported:

LSAC policy is as follows: “LSAC will automatically report the results of all LSATs in your file, including cancellations and absences, since June 1, 2002. The scores are averaged and also appear separately.” (Note: LSAC rounds up when calculating the average score). Recent change to ABA policyIn 2006, the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admission to the Bar changed its policies, now requiring schools to report the highest LSAT scores of those students who took the test twice or more: “…beginning with the October 2006 Annual Questionnaire, which collects LSAT data on the Fall 2006 entering class, the Questionnaire will seek 75th percentile, median, and 25th percentile LSAT data based on the high score rather than the average score for matriculants who took the test more than once.”Since schools now report their students’ highest scores to the ABA, the majority of law schools now consider only an applicant’s highest LSAT, although a small number of schools still consider the average of all scores.

Is a significant score increase possible?

We routinely hear this sort of question regarding potential score increases. It is important to understand that the LSAT is not an I.Q. test! Dramatic score increases are possible with proper preparation and the right approach. Double-digit score increases after studying properly and thoroughly are possible.  But, only if you really put the effort in.The Law School Admissions Council recommends the following courses (no matter what your major) as ones to take in order to do well on the LSAT:
 * In Philosophy: Critical Thinking and Logic classes (60% of LSAT is reasoning thinking)

 * In English: Argumentative Writing (20% of LSAT is reading and writing comprehension)

 * In Political Science: American National Government and Constitutional Law (for content area)

 * In Justice Studies: The Criminal Justice System (for content area)

 * In Philosophy: Introduction to Ethics (an acute concern of law schools these days); and courses in the Philosophy of Law and in Human Rights .

 * A Commercial LSAT Prep Course: Such as those offered by Kaplan, Princeton Review, or Power Score.  Take these types of courses in the month just prior to taking the LSAT.