The LSAT is a huge piece of your law school application. You are allowed to take the LSAT three times in a two-year period. Law schools will see all of your LSAT scores that you have taken in the past five years, but the highest score carries the most weight. Some schools say they average scores, but in the end the incentive is for them to look at the highest score because this is what the ABA and rankings generators consider when measuring the qualifications of admitted law students.

Why is your LSAT score considered the single most important aspect of your law school application? Because the LSAT is the most objective criterion available for law schools to separate applicants from one another. The LSAT tests for skills required for success in law school and as a lawyer, such as qualitative analytical skills and reasoning skills. Statistics show it is the best indicator of who will succeed in law school and on the Bar Exam.

Each school has a range of LSAT scores that they commonly accept. And law schools accept students on the bottom of their LSAT range if they have other aspects of their application that help them shine. But since the LSAT is so important, often the question is, “Should I retake the LSAT?” There are benefits and risks to taking the LSAT more than once.

If you are just beginning to delve into the law school application process, you may want to start by reading Chapter 4, “The LSAT” of The Law School Admission Game. For this chapter, Ann interviews LSAT tutors for the best sure-fired methods for attacking the LSAT and how best to prepare yourself for a test that helps determine not only where you go to law school, but the scholarship funds you may be eligible to receive. Preparation for the LSAT can pay dividends, and is a worthwhile investment in your future.

Ann Levine works with people to help them decide when to take the LSAT, whether to take the LSAT again, and how to explain parts of their LSAT history including explanations for accommodations received (or not granted despite being requested from LSAC), why their LSAT history is not a good indicator of their academic promise in law school, and when to submit applications based on when the LSAT will be taken.