LSAT Retakes

Law schools don't average multiple LSAT scores - they only take the highest.

In my experience, most students worry FAR too much about having multiple takes on record.

If you've taken it 3 or more times, you *might* want to write an addendum, but law schools will care far more about your highest score than the number of takes.

The easiest way to reduce the number of takes is to take it when you feel ready, and postpone/withdraw if you're not.

(If you postpone/withdraw, schools won't even know you were registered!)

It's worth noting that LSAT scores expire after 5 years and are removed from your record.

Also, some Canadian law schools may average multiple LSAT scores - the above was written with the U.S. in mind.

(There are a lot of persistent myths around the idea of averaging scores and looking down on retakes. It may have something to do with the idea of the "holistic approach" in what's generally a numbers-driven process.)

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3-4 times is totally fine. 5-6 or more starts to look a little iffy. If that’s your situation, write an addendum explaining why you had to retake it so many times.

Admission officers are understanding, especially given the digital LSAT transition and the new LSAT-Flex. There have been a lot more retakes and cancellations than in the past.

Two different questions/issues here: 1 is the averaging, the other is the number of takes.

1) Law schools do see the number of takes, score progression, etc. and take that into "consideration" to some extent, depending on the school. They add additional context in that theoretical situation comparing "identical applications" (no such thing, btw).

2) Not a single current/former law admissions officer has personally told me that their school specifically averages multiple scores. (I do hear persistent language floating around about "considering" multiple scores, but I'm not inclined to place much stock in it.)

True, higher score followed by lower isn't as good as lower followed by higher. And better to avoid low scores altogether if possible, of course. Regardless, the numbers are the numbers, and it's often worth trying for the higher score even if there's some risk involved.

I see too many students afraid to retake when they haven't reached their fullest potential because they're afraid more takes will look bad.

The alternative (to apply with a significantly lower score than you could have achieved) means missing out on the opportunity for significant scholarship money, getting into a better law school, or both.