New LSAT Retake Policy

Selene Steelman

From LSAC's website (https://www.lsac.org/lsat/taking-lsat/lsat-faqs):

LSAC is updating their test-taking limit policy later this summer, and it will go into effect with the September 2019 LSAT administration.

Starting with the September 2019 test administration, test takers will be permitted to take the LSAT:

Three times in a single testing year (the testing year goes from June 1 to May 31).

Five times within the current and five past testing years (the period in which LSAC reports scores to law schools).

A total of seven times over a lifetime.

This policy is forward-looking, not retroactive. Tests taken prior to September 2019 will not count against these numerical limits.
In addition, test takers will not be permitted to retake the LSAT if they have already scored a 180 (perfect score) within the current and five past testing years, the period in which LSAC reports scores to law schools. This aspect of the policy will be applied retroactively.

There will be an appeals process for test takers who have special circumstances and want to request an exception to this policy.

jmarmaduke96

Wow! This is definitely going to be something I need to keep in mind going forward... thank you for keeping us updated!

Selene Steelman

Yes, a prospective candidate should consider (1) when they would be prepared to take the test and (2) when a new and hopefully higher score might be useful. A higher score could help get them off a waitlist in the spring or increase an initial merit scholarship award. Those conversations would likely start to take place around March and onward. Good luck!

LegallyBrunette21

I am glad that they clarified that exams written prior to September 2019 do not count towards the total count but at the same time I do not understand this as the LSAC will be losing money asI am sure certain people would choose to write the GRE instead.

Selene Steelman

The GRE is still considered very new to admissions and reliable stats are not available. While people with just GREs are indeed admitted to law schools, the results are less predictable than with an LSAT score.

Donotdisturb26

So if I’ve taken it 2 times it won’t count....I was so 😟 worried.

cooljon525-1-1

Do you know if an absence or cancellation counts after Sep 2019 as one of your attempts at the LSAT?

Selene Steelman

In addition to the new test policy on the LSAC website, here are further clarifications about Absences, Withdrawals, and Cancelled Scores as it relates to the new policy (as per an LSAC representative):

If you CANCEL your test score, it DOES count as a test attempt. School will see you cancelled the score.
If you are ABSENT for your test, it DOES NOT count as a test attempt. School will see you were absent at the test.
If you WITHDRAW from your test, it DOES NOT count as a test attempt. School will NOT see you have withdrawn from test.

Cookie Moon

@"selene.steelman" said:
In addition to the new test policy on the LSAC website, here are further clarifications about Absences, Withdrawals, and Cancelled Scores as it relates to the new policy (as per an LSAC representative):

If you CANCEL your test score, it DOES count as a test attempt. School will see you cancelled the score.
If you are ABSENT for your test, it DOES NOT count as a test attempt. School will see you were absent at the test.
If you WITHDRAW from your test, it DOES NOT count as a test attempt. School will NOT see you have withdrawn from test.

sounds like they want us just take the test even when we are not feeling ready

gabes900-1

@"selene.steelman" said:
From LSAC's website (https://www.lsac.org/lsat/taking-lsat/lsat-faqs):

LSAC is updating their test-taking limit policy later this summer, and it will go into effect with the September 2019 LSAT administration.

Starting with the September 2019 test administration, test takers will be permitted to take the LSAT:

Three times in a single testing year (the testing year goes from June 1 to May 31).

Five times within the current and five past testing years (the period in which LSAC reports scores to law schools).

A total of seven times over a lifetime.

This policy is forward-looking, not retroactive. Tests taken prior to September 2019 will not count against these numerical limits.
In addition, test takers will not be permitted to retake the LSAT if they have already scored a 180 (perfect score) within the current and five past testing years, the period in which LSAC reports scores to law schools. This aspect of the policy will be applied retroactively.

There will be an appeals process for test takers who have special circumstances and want to request an exception to this policy.

Interesting. Thanks for the post and heads up. I will keep this in mind when planning to take it in September or in the Fall.