How Much Does the LSAT Cost

Even a single point’s difference on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) can significantly impact the outcome of your law school admissions, and thus, your future career. With such high stakes, test takers often try to prepare as thoroughly as possible before taking the exam.

But what’s the financial cost of this preparation?

In our How Much Does the LSAT Cost guide, we break down the costs associated with the LSAT at every level, including the mandatory registration fees and any optional extras.

LSAT Cost

Your total LSAT cost will depend on the various mandatory registration and optional fees you have to pay.

In this section, we explore both of these fee categories in greater detail so you can get an idea of how much it will cost you to prepare for the LSAT.

Mandatory Registration Fees

Below, we’ve explored the various registration fees associated with the LSAT that you’ll need to pay.

LSAT Fee

The registration fee for the LSAT is a flat rate of $222, which includes access to the main exam and the LSAT Writing section.

This fee is fixed regardless of whether or not you’re taking the test for the first time, or whether you’re using an old writing sample or re-sitting every single section.

Credential Assembly Service Fee

In order to apply to American Bar Association (ABA)-Accredited Law schools, you will have to pay a fee of $200 and register for a five-year subscription with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS).

This subscription simplifies the law school application process by consolidating the submission of transcripts, letters of recommendation, and other important documents into one centralized system.

CAS Report Fee

An additional cost you’ll encounter is the CAS Report Fee, which is priced at $45 for each law school application. This fee is necessary for assembling and sending your CAS file — which includes your academic transcripts, LSAT scores, and letters of recommendation — to every law school you apply to.

While the fee might seem modest at first glance, it can add up; an applicant applying to 12 law schools, for instance, will end up paying over $500 in CAS Report fees alone.

Auxiliary LSAT Fees

Below, you’ll find a brief summary of the different optional fees you can choose to pay in return for a number of extras related to the LSAT.

LSAT Score Preview

Should you wish to view your LSAT score before it becomes official — and have the option to cancel it if it isn’t what you hoped for — you can choose to take advantage of the score preview service.

This service comes with a fee of $45 if purchased up until the examination date, or a fee of $75 if purchased after this date.

Official Candidate LSAT Score Report

In return for a $50 fee, you can obtain the Official Candidate LSAT Score Report, which provides an in-depth analysis of your performance in the exam.

This report includes a complete record of all your LSAT scores, making it particularly useful for applicants interested in specialized intellectual organizations or for those who wish to review older scores that are typically not included in standard reports.

Score Audit

If you believe an error has been made in your LSAT scoring, you can request an audit for $150, or for $75 if you qualify for a fee waiver. While audits rarely change your initial score, the option is there so that you can be confident every mark has been correctly awarded.

Test Date Change

If you need to change your LSAT test date, you can do so without any charge until the registration deadline. However, if you miss this deadline you’ll have up to 10 days to make changes and pay a $135 fee.

Beyond this 10-day window, changing your test date will require you to pay the full exam fee again, which will amount to an additional $222.

Preparation Courses & Materials

As you budget for the LSAT, another factor to consider is the cost of your preparation materials, which can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars.

Official study resources, such as those offered through the Law School Admission Council’s (LSAC) LawHub, make up a large part of candidates’ preparation expenses. The LSAC’s platform charges an annual fee of $115 in return for access to over 75 official prep tests.

Additionally, to supplement your studies, you may choose to purchase official LSAT PrepTest volumes. While individual books may be found online for reasonably cheaply, acquiring a complete collection can easily cost several hundred dollars.

Furthermore, most law schools recommend supplementing your study regimen with third-party preparation materials and/or private tutoring — which will further increase your costs.

With prices ranging between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars, these resources can increase your costs considerably, but can go a long way toward ensuring that you obtain your desired score on your first attempt.

Fee Waivers

The Law School Admission Council provides a Fee Waiver Program in order to provide support for prospective law students under financial strain. Fee waivers granted by this program can cover expenses that might otherwise add up to over $1,400, which can significantly reduce the financial burden associated with taking the LSAT.

These fee waivers generally fall into one of two primary categories, which we explain in more detail below.

Tier 1 Fee Waivers

Tier 1 Waivers are intended for applicants with considerable financial need. To qualify, independent applicants typically need an income of up to 250% of the federal poverty guidelines, while dependent applicants should have a combined family income that does not exceed 300% of these guidelines.

In addition to income, LSAC takes into account other financial factors like assets and cash balance levels.

A Tier 1 waiver gives you free access to two LSAT attempts, one CAS registration, six CAS Reports, a one-year subscription to LawHub Advantage, and Score Preview for two LSATs.

Furthermore, for undergraduates participating in LawReady, a program designed for those exploring legal careers, Tier 1 includes the LawReady registration and the LawReady Certificate and Portfolio fee, adding over $1000 in value to the waiver’s benefits.

Tier 2 Fee Waivers

Tier 2 Waivers are for those who may not qualify for Tier 1 but who still demonstrate a certain element of financial need. Eligibility usually involves independent applicants earning between 250-300% of the federal poverty guidelines (300-350% for dependent applicants).

A Tier 2 waiver includes one LSAT attempt, one CAS registration, three CAS Reports, and a one-year subscription to LawHub Advantage. It also covers the Score Preview for one LSAT take and, if eligible, one LawReady registration, Certificate, and Portfolio fee.

Keep in mind that the specified income levels are only guidelines and do not automatically ensure approval for a fee waiver. LSAC evaluates each application on a case-by-case basis, taking into account various financial factors.

Note: To apply for a fee waiver, applicants need to submit detailed financial documentation through their LSAC JD account.