American Bar Association Makes Dramatic LSAT Rule Change

Critical LSAT News Update:

At its June 8-11, 2006 meeting, the ABA Section of Legal Education & Admissions to the Bar voted to change its data collection procedures to require law schools in computing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile LSAT scores of their entering classes to report the highest score of enrolling students (who took the test more than once). The ABA's prior rules had required schools to report the average LSAT score of students who took multiple tests. This rule change follows similar action taken by LSAC. This hugely significant change will definitely encourage students to take the LSAT more than once, although current LSAC rules limit applicants to three tests in any two-year period. It does reduces the risk of negative impact of a low LSAT score, but it forces applicants to consider providing multiple LSAT scores, and in effect it will raise the LSAT "price tag" for elite law school admission, since all of these schools will likely report higher 25th percentile, median and 75th percentile LSAT figures. I urge caution in taking any official LSAT. Prepare thoroughly. Prove your readiness by taking many timed, practice LSATs new to you. Score them. Dissect each test completely, so that you come to a 100% understanding as to why each correct answer is correct. Your goal should continue to be to give the law schools one brilliant, deal-making LSAT score.

However, if you end up with a first low LSAT score on your record, definitely take advantage of the liberalization of this rule. Continue to prepare for a second LSAT, with many more practice tests. A second, brilliant score will clearly improve admission probability.

For more information about beating the LSAT, please see my website www.PrelawAdvisor.com, specifically "Top 15 LSAT Tips."