One of the most common questions from LSAT test-takers is simple: how many times can you take it? The answer matters because it shapes your entire test strategy — whether you sit for the exam when you feel ready, whether you take it as a diagnostic, and how aggressively you pursue a retake after a disappointing score.
This guide covers the exact LSAC rules, what law schools see when you take the test multiple times, and a clear framework for deciding whether another attempt makes sense for you.
LSAC’s Official LSAT Retake Limits
The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) sets the following limits on how many times you can take the LSAT:
- 3 times in a single testing year (the LSAC testing year runs from August through July)
- 5 times within any 5-year period
- 7 times total over your lifetime
If you exceed these limits, LSAC will not allow you to register for an additional administration until enough time has passed to bring you back within the limits. These caps apply to all LSAT administrations — including tests you cancelled, tests where you did not receive a score, and no-shows.
What Counts as an LSAT Attempt?
Any registered LSAT administration counts toward your limits — even if you:
- Cancel your score before it is released
- Do not show up to the test center
- Experience a technical issue during a remote test
The only exception: LSAC may grant exceptions in cases of documented test-center problems that were outside your control. These are handled case by case and are not guaranteed.
This is important: do not register for the LSAT as a “trial run” expecting it not to count. It always counts toward your limits.
What Do Law Schools See?
Law schools see all of your LSAT scores — not just your highest. LSAC’s score report sent to schools includes every administration you have completed, including cancelled scores (which appear as “cancelled” with no number attached).
How law schools treat multiple scores varies:
- Most schools use the highest score for admissions decisions, though they see all scores
- Some schools average scores — this is less common but worth checking for each school on your list
- All schools report the highest score to U.S. News for ranking purposes, which means schools are incentivized to admit students based on highest score
Check each school’s score policy on their admissions website or directly with their admissions office. Policies can and do change.
Does Taking the LSAT Multiple Times Hurt Your Application?
In most cases, no — especially if your score improved. Admissions officers understand that test-taking involves a learning curve, and a score increase demonstrates preparation and persistence.
Where multiple attempts can raise questions:
- Scores that decline — A lower score on a retake can concern admissions officers, even if they use your highest score
- Many attempts without improvement — Taking the LSAT 4 or 5 times with minimal score movement can suggest you have reached your ceiling, which may factor into how schools evaluate your application
- No explanation provided — If you have an unusual testing pattern (sharp decline, many attempts), a brief addendum explaining the circumstances is worth including
In general: two or three attempts with clear score improvement is a completely normal and unremarkable application pattern at any law school.
How to Decide Whether to Retake the LSAT
The decision to retake should be based on concrete analysis, not emotion after a disappointing score. Ask yourself these questions:
Is your current score below your target school’s median?
If your score is below the 25th percentile of your top-choice school, a retake almost always makes sense. Even moving from the 25th to the 50th percentile of your target school meaningfully improves your odds. Use the LSAT score calculator to see exactly where you stand relative to each school tier.
Do you know why you underperformed?
If your practice test scores were consistently higher than your actual score, test anxiety or test-day conditions may be the culprit — and those are fixable. If your practice scores matched your actual score, a retake without a significant change in prep approach is unlikely to yield major gains.
Do you have a realistic plan to improve?
A retake without a new study strategy is usually a waste of a registration. Before committing to another attempt, read our guide on how to improve your LSAT score and build a specific plan targeting your weakest areas.
Do you have enough time to prepare properly?
Meaningful improvement typically requires 2–4 months of dedicated study. If the next available test date is in three weeks, consider whether a later date gives you a better chance at the score you need.
LSAT Score Cancellation: Is It Worth It?
LSAC gives you six calendar days after your test date to cancel your score. A cancelled score appears on your record as “cancelled” — law schools can see that you took the test but received no score.
When cancellation makes sense:
- You had a serious disruption on test day (illness, personal emergency)
- Your practice scores were significantly higher than you felt you performed
- You plan to retake regardless of your score
When cancellation does not make sense:
- You simply feel uncertain — feeling uncertain is normal and does not predict a bad score
- You want to avoid using one of your lifetime attempts — a cancelled score still counts toward your limits
Because cancelled scores still count against your limit, the bar for cancellation should be high.
LSAT Testing Calendar: When Can You Take It?
LSAC offers the LSAT approximately eight to nine times per year. Common test dates include:
- August
- September/October
- November
- January
- February/March
- April
- June
Most law school application deadlines fall between November and February for fall enrollment. If you are targeting a specific application cycle, work backward from your school’s deadline to determine which test dates give you enough time to retake if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the LSAT 3 times in one year?
Yes. LSAC allows up to 3 attempts in a single testing year (August through July). However, taking the LSAT three times in rapid succession without significant preparation changes is unlikely to yield meaningful improvement.
Do law schools see cancelled LSAT scores?
Yes. Cancelled scores appear on your LSAC score report as “cancelled” — schools can see you registered and cancelled, but they do not see a numerical score.
Does Harvard or Yale penalize multiple LSAT attempts?
No T14 school has published a policy penalizing applicants for multiple LSAT attempts. Most elite schools use the highest score for admissions decisions. Taking the LSAT 2–3 times is not unusual at any school.
What if I take the LSAT 7 times and never hit my goal score?
If you have reached your lifetime limit and your score is still below your target, you need to either adjust your school targets or consider the GRE as an alternative. Some law schools accept GRE scores, including several T14 programs.
Is there a waiting period between LSAT attempts?
LSAC does not impose a mandatory waiting period between attempts beyond limiting you to three per testing year. You could, in theory, take the LSAT in August, October, and November of the same year — though that compressed timeline leaves little room for meaningful preparation between attempts.
The Bottom Line
You can take the LSAT up to 7 times total, with a cap of 3 per testing year and 5 in any 5-year window. Multiple attempts are common and rarely hurt your application — especially when paired with score improvement. The key is approaching each retake with a genuine plan to improve, not just more exposure to the test.
Not sure if your current score is worth a retake? Use our free LSAT score calculator to see your percentile and how far you are from your target school’s median. Then read our full guide on whether to retake the LSAT to make an informed decision.