Ever wonder about the length of time your exam score is good for? Unlike a Twinkie, your LSAT score has an expiration date. This test is necessary when you apply to law school. The big question answered here is how long do LSAT scores last? Here we have the answer to that question and other important information that you will need before you take the test.
LSAT Basics
The LSAT (short for the Law School Admissions Test) is just as it sounds. Students wanting to pursue a career in the field of law must pass this exam to gain entry to law schools, which is used by US and Canada institutions. According to the Law School Admission Council, this test measures basic skills needed to succeed within the first year of law school.
This exam can be taken more than once, but it does have limits. The LSAT can be taken five times within the five-year reportable window, but no more than seven times in a lifetime. So basically, you have seven chances to get the results you want. An LSAT result remains reportable for up to five testing years after the testing year in which the score is earned, with testing years running from July 1 through June 30. Scores earned prior to June 2021 are no longer considered valid for law school admission and will not appear on your score report.
Preparing for the LSAT
Taking the LSAT is not an easy feat. In preparation for this exam, take lots of practice tests. Repeated practice helps you identify patterns in your reasoning and spot weak areas before test day.
The LSAT consists of multiple-choice sections testing logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, and reading comprehension, plus an unscored writing sample. LSAT prep books typically include writing prompts to help you practice this portion. You’ll find Official LSAT practice tests through the LSAC portal, but many students also use third-party materials and LSAT online prep courses to round out their study plan.
The LSAT is offered in January, February, April, and June each year, giving you multiple opportunities to test. Since your scores remain valid for five years, you can plan your testing timeline around law school application deadlines without worrying about scores expiring too soon.
Review every practice test carefully. Don’t just check your score and move on. Understanding why you missed a question matters more than how many you got right on any single practice run.
LSAT Test Scores
You’ve taken your test, and now you need to know not only how to get your scores, but also how long they remain valid. What if a major life event delayed your law school plans? Initially, when you take your LSAT, your score will be reported to any law schools you listed upon registration, and you’ll receive a notification when the result is available.
So, how long do LSAT scores last? An LSAT result is reportable for five years after the testing year in which the score is earned. LSAT testing years run from July 1 through June 30, which means a score earned in October 2025, for example, would remain reportable through June 30, 2030. It’s important to understand that LSAT scores earned prior to mid-2021 are no longer considered valid for law school admission and won’t appear on your score report.
When you’re wondering how long are LSAT scores valid, you should also know what appears on your official score report. The LSAT Score Report includes results of all reportable tests (up to 12), including absences and cancellations for standard LSAT takers and cancellations only for LSAT-Flex takers due to challenges related to COVID-19. Percentile ranks for all reported scores are updated every year by the end of July, so your score’s percentile ranking may shift slightly as new data comes in.
One big bonus: if you didn’t get your desired score, you can retake the test. The average score for a first-time test taker is around 150 with a test score range from a low of 120 to the highest LSAT score of 180. If you take the LSAT more than once, your score report will reflect a list of each score received. Law school admission requirements vary by institution. Certain law schools may focus on one score, while others might require a higher LSAT score or consider your average.
What Happens When Your LSAT Score Expires
When your LSAT score passes the five-year mark, law schools can no longer access it through LSAC’s system. The score doesn’t disappear from your personal records, but it becomes unreportable to admissions committees evaluating your application. This means if you took the LSAT in 2021 and apply to law schools in 2026, that score will still appear on reports sent to schools. But scores from 2020 and earlier are no longer visible to admissions officers.
For applicants whose scores have expired, the only option is to retake the exam. There’s no extension process or way to reactivate an old score, regardless of how competitive it was. This can be frustrating if you scored well years ago but decided to pursue other opportunities before law school.
The expiration policy affects career changers and those who took time off between undergraduate studies and applying to law school. If you’re considering law school but aren’t ready to apply within five years, you’ll need to factor in retaking the LSAT as part of your planning. Some test-takers choose to apply earlier than originally planned just to ensure their scores remain valid, while others accept that a fresh test will better reflect their current analytical abilities anyway.
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardized test that plays a crucial role in law school admissions across the United States and Canada. Administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), this exam measures skills that law schools consider essential for success in legal education, including reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning.
Understanding the LSAT’s format, scoring system, and validity period helps you plan your law school application timeline effectively. Your performance on this test, combined with your undergraduate GPA and other application materials, forms the foundation of your law school candidacy.
LSAT scores remain valid for five years from the date you take the exam. This means law schools will accept scores from tests taken within that window when you apply. The test is offered multiple times throughout the year, including in January, February, April, and June, giving you flexibility in choosing when to sit for the exam.
Before diving into test preparation, it’s worth assessing how hard is the LSAT so you can set realistic expectations for your study timeline. Most successful test-takers dedicate several months to preparation, and choosing the right resources matters. Many students start by exploring best LSAT prep books to build a strong foundation in each section.
For those considering digital study options, reading an LSATMax review can help you evaluate whether app-based preparation fits your learning style. And if you’re aiming for the highest possible score, learning how to get a 180 on the LSAT provides insight into the strategies top scorers use.