Quick answer: you can take the LSAT 5 times in the current reportable score period and 7 times in your life, per LSAC. Canceled scores count, but absences and withdrawals do not. You cannot retake after scoring a 180 in that period. Read more about the highest LSAT score and what it takes.
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:
- 5 times within the current reportable score period (tests taken since July 2021)
- 7 times total over your lifetime
- No retakes after a 180 (a perfect score) within the current reportable score period
There is no longer a limit per testing year. LSAC dropped the old “3 times in one testing year” rule. Tests taken before September 2019 do not count, and neither do the May to August 2020 LSAT-Flex tests.
If you reach a limit, LSAC will not let you register again. The 5-test limit can ease over time as older tests drop out of the reportable score period, but the 7-test lifetime limit never resets. Canceled scores count toward these limits, including scores canceled with Score Preview. Absences and withdrawals do not count.
What Counts as an LSAT Attempt?
Here is what LSAC counts toward your limits:
- Counts: a test where you get a score
- Counts: a test where you cancel your score, including with Score Preview
- Does not count: an absence (you registered but did not test)
- Does not count: a withdrawal before the test
If you face a serious problem outside your control, you can ask LSAC for an exemption by emailing TTL@LSAC.org with details. Appeals are due five business days before the registration deadline, and they are not guaranteed. Even if you get one, the other limits still apply.
This is important: do not sit for the real LSAT as a “trial run” and cancel the score. A canceled score still uses one of your attempts. Use free practice tests instead.
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 about 7 to 8 times per year. For 2026-2027, the U.S. and Canada tests are in September, October, November, January, February, April and June. See the full list of LSAT test dates.
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 no longer limits how many times you can test in one testing year. You are only limited to 5 tests in the current reportable score period and 7 in your lifetime. But taking the LSAT three times close together without changing how you study is unlikely to raise your score much.
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 require a waiting period between attempts, and there is no longer a cap 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 5 times in the current reportable score period (since July 2021) and 7 times in your lifetime. There is no longer a per-year cap, and absences do not count. 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.
Official Sources to Check
Use this guide for planning, then verify current test rules, score reporting, application requirements, and school disclosures with primary sources before making final decisions.