BREAKING NEWS: Reinstated LSAT Retake Limits

[Dave Killoran]

LSAC has just announced that beginning with the October 2020 LSAT they are reinstating the retake limits first established in September 2019, but that have been suspended for all tests from May through August of this year. For those unaware, here are the restrictions being resurrected for multiple attempts:

• You can sit for the LSAT three times in a single testing year (LSAC's year goes from June 1 to May 31). This applies to cancellations as well as to kept scores. After three attempts you have to wait until the following June before you are permitted to test again.
• You are allowed five attempts within any five year period (the period in which LSAC reports scores to law schools). After your fifth LSAT you must wait until five years have passed since your first test before being allowed to retake.
• You can take the LSAT seven times in total. After that no further attempts are allowed.

These limits apply regardless of whether future tests are Flex or in-person, but will not be enacted retroactively: the May, June, July, and August 2020 LSATs do NOT count toward these limits, but tests from September 2019 through February 2020, and tests after August 2020 all will. So plan accordingly as you map out your testing timeline—taking the LSAT solely for experience now comes with additional consequences.

In other LSAT World news, we will release a PodCast episode shortly that breaks down the scoring info above and the ongoing July 2020 missing-score debacle. Here's the link if you want to give it a listen, Episode 62 when it posts in an hour: https://www.powerscore.com/lsat/podcast/


2021-2022 UPDATE: LSAC has adjusted their annual testing cycle dates so that the current "year" begins with the August 2021 LSAT and ends with the June 2022 LSAT (previously the year ran from June 1st through the following May 31st). That means test takers can sit for three attempts, including cancellations, within that window. It will then reset and allow for additional attempts after June 2022. More info here: https://www.lsac.org/about/lsac-policie ... ating-lsat

[oychoi]

Hi Dave,

Thanks so much for taking the time to explain all of this for test-takers. I have a question regarding my situation.

I have taken the LSAT twice already (July 2019 and January 2020) and am considering a 3rd attempt for October (was going to take August but don't feel ready so am considering pushing it back another month).

And, if it has to be done, I am open for a 4th take in November (hopefully it doesn't come down to that).

Considering the list you wrote out, it looks like I am in the clear in regards to a potential two more takes? That is if LSAC calendar is June 1 to May 31 and we are now past that? And a maximum of 3 more takes (January 2021 included) before I am locked in for 5 years?

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Dave,

Thanks so much for taking the time to explain all of this for test-takers. I have a question regarding my situation.

I have taken the LSAT twice already (July 2019 and January 2020) and am considering a 3rd attempt for October (was going to take August but don't feel ready so am considering pushing it back another month).

And, if it has to be done, I am open for a 4th take in November (hopefully it doesn't come down to that).

Considering the list you wrote out, it looks like I am in the clear in regards to a potential two more takes? That is if LSAC calendar is June 1 to May 31 and we are now past that? And a maximum of 3 more takes (January 2021 included) before I am locked in for 5 years?

Hi oychoi,

Thanks for the question! Yes, your July 2019 take has no effect, since the limits didn't go into effect until after that exam. You thus have one countable take in last year's testing cycle, meaning that right now you have the following available (prior to this October):

• • Current testing year (LSAC's year goes from June 1 to May 31): Three available takes.
  • Five year period: Four available takes.
  • Lifetime: Six available takes.

So, plenty of freedom and available takes. Does that make sense?

Thanks!

[oychoi]

Hi Dave,

I apologize for the long delay but that really did help me a lot!

Yes, I hope that I can be done with the LSAT within one more take but it is really reassuring that I have more chances if it needs to be.

Thank you again!

[graham0220]

Hi Dave (or whoever may answer!),

I just want to make sure I have this straight as I am a bit confused when I try and factor in the previous testing year as well. I took the June 2019 exam and recently took the August 2020 exam. I am registered for the October as the August did not go as I had hoped (love tanking on test day!). I was debating registering for the November 2020 exam as a back up JUST IN CASE, as it is the last one of the year.

Am I able to do this? What would that leave me with? I mean I sure as heck hope I am done in October, but just wanted to check with you all first!

Thank you so much!

[KelseyWoods]

Hi Graham!

Your June 2019 exam does not count toward the retake limit, since the limits didn't go into effect until September 2019. Your August 2020 exam also does not count toward the retake limit as the policy was suspended for the May, June, July, and August Flex exams. So as of this moment, your past tests do not count toward the retake limit at all and you're basically starting at square 1 as far as that policy is concerned. So you are allowed to take the LSAT 3 more times between now and next May 31, 5 more times total within 5 years from your next test, and 7 more times total.

So you're in the clear for taking the exam in October and November. After that, you'd be able to take it once more before May 31, 2021, 3 more times within 5 years, and 5 more times total.

Hope this helps!

Best,
Kelsey

[graham0220]

This was SO helpful Kelsey, thank you so so much for clearing this up for me!

[Yazmins22]

Hi, I was wondering if someone could help me out. I currently have 3 lsat takes. Oct Flex 2020, Nov Flex 2020, and Jan Flex 2021. I understand that the testing period runs from June 1 till May 31. I was informed by LSAC that I would be allowed to sign up to take it one more time in June 2021 since its part of the new testing period. The reason I need to take the test one more time is due to the wait list I am currently on. I tried to sign up for the June 2021 Flex but it doesn't allow me to do so. Would you happen to know why?
For reference I have spoken to LSAC twice about this and in those two separate occasions, they pulled up my account and told me I could take it again after the testing period ends in May 31 and that June would be my next chance.

[g_lawyered]

Hi Dave,
Thanks for the update. If I understood you post correctly, the LSAC begin to count and limit how many times you can take the LSAT beginning of Sept 2019- until currently in 2021? Or if you took any LSATs at all prior to Sept 2019, they count also? I took an LSAT in 2017. So it's unclear to me where I will reach my limit. Because this forum is public, is there any way to discuss this privately? Maybe via email?

Thanks for your time

[KelseyWoods]

Hi Dave,
Thanks for the update. If I understood you post correctly, the LSAC begin to count and limit how many times you can take the LSAT beginning of Sept 2019- until currently in 2021? Or if you took any LSATs at all prior to Sept 2019, they count also? I took an LSAT in 2017. So it's unclear to me where I will reach my limit. Because this forum is public, is there any way to discuss this privately? Maybe via email?

Thanks for your time

Hi GGIBA003!

According to the LSAC policy: "Tests taken prior to September 2019 will not count against these numerical limits." So your 2017 test does not count toward your limit.

Here's the link to the full LSAC policy: https://www.lsac.org/about/lsac-policie ... ating-lsat

Hope this helps!

Best,
Kelsey