Changes to the LSAT Exam in 2018, Explained

In the past, it was a well-known rule that you couldn’t take the LSAT more than three times. Beginning in May 2017, there is no longer a limit on the amount of times you can take the exam. While this restriction may be a relief for some, it’s still important to accommodate your LSAT study path to do as best as you can on test day.

Keep in mind some law school administrators are wary of those who take the LSAT a multitude of times, as it can convey a lack of judgment to admissions offices that they won't look favorably on. If you don't perform as well as you'd like on the first try, it may be smart for you to take it again as law schools only consider the highest score, but approach retaking the LSAT judiciously.

LSAC recommends retaking the exam if you feel external personal or health-related circumstances affected your first score—for example, if you believe that illness prevented you from performing optimally and therefore does not reflect your true ability. Unusually, large differences in scores between a first test and a retake might be reviewed by LSAC for any misconduct as well.

Recently, Harvard Law, the University of Arizona Law School’s Roger College, Northwestern and Georgetown University have all announced they’d accept GRE scores in addition to the LSAT and more schools are expected to follow.

The reasoning behind this is so law schools can ultimately cast a wider net to recruit applicants who otherwise might not have set their sights on the legal field. Since scientists, mathematicians and engineers typically take the GRE, law schools are hoping more of them will enroll.

William M. Treanor, Dean of Georgetown Law, said: "We believe this change will make the admissions process more accessible to students who have great potential to make a mark here at Georgetown Law and in successful legal careers, but who might find the LSAT to be a barrier for whatever reason."

While the LSAT has been known for being a paper-based test exclusively, it’s beginning to teeter into the 21^st century, as LSAC recently conducted a digital LSAT pilot test in May 2017. While the tablet-based reality of this digital LSAT might be several years away, LSAC continues to conduct trial runs, meaning this surely isn't too far off.

These alterations are important to keep in mind if you might be taking the LSAT. While these changes don’t affect the material of the test itself – which is a measurement of reading ability, verbal reasoning and writing skills – the new flexibility around frequency of test dates and limitations on how many times you can take the exam are sure to prove useful in planning your course of study.

Ultimately, this provides LSAT test takers more options, greater flexibility, easier access and riper opportunities to get you that high score.

About Manhattan Review: Manhattan Review LSAT Prep is brought to you by Manhattan Review, an international test prep firm. Founded in 1999 by Dr. Joern Meissner, an internationally renowned business school professor, our company helps students gain entrance to their desired degree programs by working to improve their admission test scores. Headquartered in New York City, Manhattan Review operates in many cities in the United States and in selected major cities around the world, including Hong Kong.