Should You Withdraw from the LSAT?
When test day approaches, many test takers fear that they’re not ready, and consider whether they need to withdraw from the LSAT. This is not an easy decision to make. The LSAT is an expensive test, and depending on when you’re making the decision to bow out, it could still cost you money. Here’s everything you need to know about whether to withdraw from the LSAT.
Am I Making the Right Decision to Withdraw from the LSAT?
As a tutor, I’ve seen a fair number of students who think they need to withdraw their LSAT when they don’t need to, and I’ve also seen a bunch of students who think they’re ready for the test when they’re not. If you’re on the fence about whether or not to take the upcoming LSAT, here are a few questions you can ask yourself:
(If you’re looking to cancel your score after taking the LSAT, check out this separate article that covers the topic.)
Am I close to my target score?
Look at your most recent practice test. If you’re within 3 points, you should absolutely take the test. The standard scoring band for the LSAT is +/- 3 points, which means you are likely to score 3 points over or under your most recent practice score. This is a pretty reliable measure that accounts for test difficulty, luck, and how other test-takers fared on the same test.
2. How many weeks do I have left?
Though we all hope to improve 5 points in the final week, that kind of improvement is relatively unlikely. A realistic LSAT goal is gaining 1-2 points per week, which usually equates to getting 2-3 more questions correct per week. Sometimes, targeted work with a tutor can accelerate those gains, but even then there are limits to how far you can leap. Take a look at your remaining weeks, compare that to your target score, and decide whether this upcoming LSAT is your best option.
3. How many official LSATs have I already taken?
There is a limit on the number of LSATs you can take. You cannot repeat it indefinitely. Those limits are:
Three times in one year
Five times within a five year period
Seven times in a lifetime.
If you are in danger of exceeding those limits, be extremely cautious about taking your next test. You absolutely want to be ready before you take your next one.
4. If I withdraw my LSAT, will I get my money back?
The fact is, you might be paying for this test whether you like it or not. There is a full refund deadline for the LSAT, and it’s typically more than a month before the test is given (the refund date is usually the same as the registration deadline date).
For example, the November 2022 LSAT has a refund deadline of September 29, 2022.
Once the refund deadline passes, you can ask for a partial refund of $50, but that is way less than the full test cost of $215. Test date changes are equally costly; after the deadline, it will cost you a fee of $135 or more to change your LSAT test date.
If you’re past the refund deadline and relatively close to your LSAT target score, it might be worth it to take the test. After all, even if you don’t get the score you want, you will absolutely learn from the experience. More than a quarter of LSAT students re-take the test, and for good reason: re-takes often lead to increased scores. It’s no coincidence that the LSAC Fee Waiver includes 2 free LSAT sittings for qualified students.
How to withdraw your LSAT?
If you’ve considered the questions listed above and still want to withdraw from the LSAT, you should absolutely do so. There’s no point in wasting money on a test you either aren’t ready to take or have decided isn’t for you.
To withdraw from the LSAT, you’ll need to log in to your LSAC account and cancel your registration through your account’s LSAT Status Page (linked here). For more information, you can also email the LSAC at LSACinfo@LSAC.org.
For whenever you choose to take the test, follow us on Instagram for tips to help you squeeze out those last few points.
Keep in mind: self-study resources are typically designed to help the most people possible. That means they’re designed for those who have never seen the LSAT, or those who start with average diagnostic scores (in the 130s-140s). Therefore, the “max score” of self-study resources tends to cap out at 155-160.
If you’re looking for help surpassing these scores, and moving into the top 10%, you will have to push your understanding beyond what mainstream self-study methods have to offer. Many students can push into the 170s via careful self-study. If you think you’d like a guide along the way, take a look at how I can help you.