Part 1: The Data Behind LSAT Retakes — What the Numbers Really Show

Every LSAT cycle, thousands of people face the same question:
Should I take the LSAT again?

If you’ve already sat for the exam and you’re unsure whether a retake is worth it, start here. Before talking strategy or motivation, you need to understand the baseline — how common retaking actually is, how much improvement is typical, and what the real data say about performance trends.

The good news? Most repeat test takers do improve. But not everyone does — and understanding why is what separates a smart retake from a wasted one.

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How Common Is LSAT Retaking?

According to LSAC’s research report Performance of Repeat Test Takers of the Law School Admission Test (2010–2011 through 2017–2018), retaking the LSAT is completely normal:

• Roughly 68% of test takers in any given year are first-timers.
  
  
• Around 26% are sitting for their second attempt.
  
  
• Another 5% take it three times or more.
  
  

That means nearly one in three LSAT test takers is a repeater. It’s not a mark of failure — it’s part of the process. In fact, LSAC’s more recent testing-year data show the trend continuing: the proportion of repeat takers climbs steadily through later test administrations each cycle.

For example, in the 2017–2018 year:

• June exams were roughly 80% first-time takers.
  
  
• By December and February, first-timers dropped below 60% — the rest were repeaters.
  
  

Retaking has become the norm, not the exception.

How Much Do Repeat Test Takers Improve?

Here’s where the LSAC data get interesting.

Across millions of records, LSAC found that:

• Second-time test takers gain on average about 2.6 points compared to their first attempt.
  
  
• Third-time test takers improve another ~2.3 points beyond their second attempt.
  
  

Those averages hide a wide spread: some see +5 to +10 point jumps; others flatline or even drop. But statistically, the second attempt is the most productive one.

Think of it this way:

• Your first LSAT establishes your baseline and exposes your weaknesses.
  
  
• Your second is usually your best shot at a meaningful gain — if you’ve diagnosed and corrected what went wrong.
  
  

By the third attempt, diminishing returns kick in. Gains taper off as test familiarity peaks and fatigue sets in.

Why Do Retakers Improve?

Improvement isn’t random. The LSAC data suggest several structural reasons repeaters outperform first-timers:

1. Experience effect: The first test removes the shock factor — pacing, interface, fatigue, and test-day logistics no longer surprise you.
   
   
2. Selection effect: People who choose to retake are typically more motivated and willing to prepare seriously.
   
   
3. Targeted prep: Retakers who analyze their prior performance can focus study time on high-yield weaknesses instead of starting from scratch.
   
   

But here’s the catch: improvement only comes if you actually change something. Taking the same test twice with the same study plan is just gambling on luck.

Understanding the LSAT Retake Limits

A reminder from LSAC’s official retake policy (updated 2024):

• You may take the LSAT five times within the current five testing years.
  
  
• Seven times total in your lifetime.
  
  
• If you’ve ever scored a 180, you cannot retake within the current score-reporting period.
  
  
• Canceled scores count toward these limits; withdrawals and absences do not.
  

These limits exist because retaking endlessly isn’t productive for you or for schools — and because law schools receive all of your reportable LSAT scores from the past five years.

So, make every retake deliberate. Each attempt burns one of your limited shots.

What the Numbers Mean for You

If you’re on the fence about a retake, interpret LSAC’s data like this:

• Most people improve modestly (2–3 points). That’s encouraging, but not automatic.
  
  
• Improvement is front-loaded. The second attempt is statistically your best.
  
  
• Diminishing returns are real. Beyond two or three sittings, average gains shrink and variance widens.
  
  
• Experience matters. The more familiar you are with the test, the more controlled your performance — but only if you’ve fixed your old errors.
  
  

Retaking the LSAT can be one of the best decisions you make — or a drain on your time and confidence. The difference lies in why you’re retaking and how you prepare.

Coming Up Next: Should You Retake?

In Part 2, we’ll tackle the real question: when is a retake worth it — and when are you chasing diminishing returns? We’ll break down the risk-reward calculus, scholarship thresholds, and the psychological traps that ruin second attempts.