LSAT Score Preview

 

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Score Preview is an LSAC add-on purchase that allows you to view your LSAT score before deciding whether to cancel or keep it. Understandably, there is a lot of confusion surrounding what it entails and what benefits it offers. Students routinely wonder if they should purchase it, and what the consequences of using it means.

What is Score Preview? 

A common misconception is that Score Preview gives you the opportunity to view your score earlier than the Score Release date. That is not the case. If you purchase Score Preview, you still still receive your score at the same time as other test takers on the Score Release date (assuming you have an approved LSAT Writing Sample on file or no other holds on your account). Score Preview, then, gives you six days to decide whether you want to cancel or keep your score.

If your score is being held past the Score Release date for any reason, you still receive the same benefits of Score Preview as any other test takers. The six-day period starts once the score is released to you.

If you decide to keep your score or no action is taken, your score will be added to your LSAC account and released to the law schools you have applied to after the six days have passed.

When should I cancel my score? 

If you decide to cancel your score, law schools will still be able to see that you took the LSAT. While they will not see the score you received, this is how it can look to them “155, 162, CANCEL, 167, CANCEL”. This cancelled score also counts towards your five LSAT attempts.

I usually don’t recommend that students cancel their test scores. The only clearcut cases for a cancel are:

• You scored dramatically below your goal score
• You scored dramatically below a prior score you have on record
• You just really hate the score and it offers you no benefits

Otherwise, it simply doesn’t matter. A majority of law schools only consider the highest score you have on file.

Note: If it is your first or second time testing and you scored a few points below what you wanted, definitely do not cancel. You risk not being able to achieve the same score again. You can always take the LSAT again and attempt to improve, but you cannot get a cancelled score back on your account.

 

How much does Score Preview cost? 

This depends on when you purchase it. As with many LSAC services, it is cheaper to purchase earlier in a given test cycle. If you purchase Score Preview before the first testing date of your cycle, it costs $45. If you purchase it during a specific period between the test administration and Score Release date, it costs $80.

If you have an LSAT Fee Waiver for a given test, you can sign up for Score Preview free of charge for that test.

 

So, should I get Score Preview?

If you can afford it, I would recommend getting it before the test, and it’s cheaper to get before the test than after. The reality is that you likely won’t use it (i.e. you likely won’t cancel your score, or at least most people shouldn’t). Still, even the factor of knowing that you have an “insurance” or something to fall back on may provide you ease of mind and comfort during the test. Anything that allows you to think more clearly could be a substantial benefit under the high pressure environment of the LSAT.