How Much Does The LSAT Cost?

How Much Does It Cost to Take the LSAT?

So, how much does the LSAT cost? There are a number of different fees you might encounter that factor into the overall LSAT price. The basic fees involved with the LSAT are as follows:

• Full LSAT exam (multiple-choice and writing): $238
• Credential Assembly Service (CAS): $207
• Law school reports (sent to the schools to which you’re applying): $45

On a side note, students can no longer purchase LSAT Writing as a standalone.

First Step For Taking the Exam

Before you can pay the LSAT fee, you’ll need to start the registration process. The LSAC website has all the information you need to determine when the test is held.

There are a few ways you can register for the LSAT. The best way is to register online using an account with LSAC. If you don’t have an account, and for whatever reason don’t want to set one up, you can register by phone. You just need to call LSAC at 215-968-1101.

To register for test dates between September and February, you need to call weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. EST. To register from March through August, you need to call weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. EST. Mondays are their busiest days, so it’s best to avoid calling on Mondays if you can.

Before calling, it’s best to consult the website for the dates the test will be offered and click the date you want to take the test. This will give you a wealth of information such as deadlines for applying, accommodation requests, and uploading necessary materials, and information as changes in dates, test centers and the like.

Cost to Change Your LSAT Date or Testing Location

You can change your LSAT exam date, but it will cost. Currently that cost is $145 or $238, depending on how close the exam date is.

As you can see, making a change to your LSAT date can result in a hefty fee so be diligent is selecting your date.

Refunds for the LSAT

Before the test change date deadline arrives, you can request to take the LSAT on a different date. This will incur an additional fee, as listed above. Still, it may be a much better idea (if you can’t make your date) to pay the extra fee than it is to cancel altogether.

If the test date change deadline has already passed, you may need to withdraw.

Because LSAC incurs costs for setting up your exam and maintaining the registration infrastructure, if you need to cancel your exam, you can only get a partial refund. In general, you can only get $50 of your fees back if you withdraw from the exam and request a refund.

For this reason, and given the comparatively high LSAT price, it’s a very good idea to make sure that you can make the date for which you register to take the exam.

👉 Related Article: How Long Are LSAT Scores Valid?

The Basics of the LSAT

“LSAT” stands for Law School Admission Test. It’s an entrance exam that almost every law school requires for entrance, along with a good undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, a personal essay and the Credential Assembly Service application.

It’s important to understand that many schools value the LSAT scores every bit as much as they do your GPA, so it’s an important test.

Many law schools require that you take the LSAT by the December before the fall semester in which you wish to enroll. It’s a good idea to prepare well in advance, including registering and paying the LSAT test cost and fees.

We actually recommend preparing well before December, as applying earlier in the application cycle will improve your chances of being accepted. Law schools may not like to admit as much, but it is true. Try to take your LSAT in the spring or summer before applying early in the fall.

What Can I Expect From the LSAT?

The LSAT is a law school entrance test with multiple-choice and essay sections. The test was formerly taken with pencil and paper but is now administered digitally. It is offered by the Law School Admission Council, or LSAC. Its purpose is to assess the reasoning, reading, analytical and persuasive skills that will be required to succeed in your graduate school education.

The LSAT is offered several times per year, and you should set aside several hours. The test itself requires 3 hours to take, and consists of up to 101 multiple-choice questions.

You’ll also probably want to book at least a half-hour on either side for yourself to account for transportation and getting yourself in the right frame of mind to take the test.

The test itself is composed of three different sections. These are:

• Arguments (logical reasoning)
• Reading comprehension
• Essay

There’s also an experimental section that is not scored and provides a benchmark for testing out new items, new test forms and other elements that may appear on future versions of the test. Your performance on the experimental section helps the test evolve for future legal professionals.

Preparing to Take the LSAT Exam

LSAC also offers a wealth of resources to help prospective students prepare for the exam. You’re best advised to do as much preparatory work as possible, including taking practice exams, studying the various skills on which you’ll be tested and reviewing practice materials.

If you’d like more information about the LSAT test cost, LSAT registration or preparing for the exam, check out our website for more resources and help!