How Much Does It Cost to Take the LSAT? Full Fee Guide

Regardless of how much it costs to take the LSAT, over the last year, more people are looking to pursue a legal education. At the beginning of the 2024-2025 cycle, there were 26% more applicants than in the previous year. After all, with the changing world of work thanks to innovations like AI, careers involving personal services (like legal representation) are more valuable now than ever.

But how much does it cost to take the LSAT exam now, from your initial LSAT registration to every required law school application step? Let’s get to it.

Key Takeaways

• The LSAT registration fee is $248 per test, and that’s just the starting line.
• Credential Assembly Service (CAS) is essential for most law school applications and costs $215 for registration, plus $45 for each school you send reports to.
• A test date change or signing up late could mean extra fees that will hurt, so register early!
• Fee waivers from LSAC can cover nearly all basic fees. They can be a lifesaver, but only if you qualify.
• LSAT prep courses, test prep materials, and extra services aren’t included and can add quite a lot to your total costs.

The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) has set up a pretty detailed system for what they charge. If you’re not prepared, LSAT fees can feel like you’re getting nickel-and-dimed every step of the way. But don’t worry, I’ve put together everything you need to know about LSAT costs, how to plan for your test date without spending extra, and what to expect if you need a fee waiver.

What Are the Basic LSAT Fees?

Okay, let me start with the basics: how much does it cost to take the LSAT at its minimum? You absolutely can’t avoid the first and main fee—the LSAT registration fee. For any given test administration, the LSAT registration fee is $248 and includes the exam itself plus the LSAT Writing portion, which you do online, regardless of where and how you take the test. Additionally, most test takers will need to pay for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS), which many law schools require for law school applications. CAS costs $215 for registration.

Now, here’s where things start to add up even more, and where planning ahead can save you:

• You’ll need to pay $45 for each CAS Report for each law school you’re applying to.
• If you want to preview your LSAT score report before any of your target schools see it, that will be another $45. But only if you purchase up front.

It’s good you’re doing your research, because a lot of future law students are surprised by the cost and the cost of add-ons. Registering for the LSAT is just the first step, but it doesn’t come cheap. Think of it as paying admission to a really exclusive but super stressful club.

What Extra Fees Should You Expect?

If registering for the LSAT is just the first step, what other fees are there in your LSAT journey? First of all, if you realize that your original test date won’t work for whatever reason, changing the LSAT test date is free, but only up to a specific deadline. After that, it can jump to $150 or even $248, depending on when you make the switch. And if you decide you need to cancel your registration, you only get a partial refund of $50.

Here are some additional LSAT fees that you should keep on your radar:

• Score Preview: I mentioned above that this was $45, but it’s only $45 if you buy it during registration. But after a specified date, the price goes up to $85.
• Score Audit: If you think there’s a problem with your LSAT score, for $150, you can have a Score Audit done. Note that if you have a fee waiver, the price drops to $75.
• LSAT Writing: Your writing sample is included in your initial fee, but if you need to redo it or resubmit it, you need to contact the LSAC’s Candidate Services team. There is no guarantee that you’ll be able to rewrite or what the fee will be.

The LSAT prep courses, practice tests, and prep books are all separate. Some serious test takers invest hundreds, if not even thousands of dollars, in LSAT prep courses to boost their LSAT test scores. I like to look at these add-ons as the premium toppings on your LSAT pizza. Sometimes you just need the basics, but if you’re aiming for a top LSAT score, the extras can help.

Do You Qualify for an LSAC Fee Waiver?

Worried about costs? The good news is there’s an LSAC Fee Waiver Program for test takers who need a financial break. There are two levels to the program:

• Tier 1 covers two LSATs, including the writing sample, full CAS registration, up to six CAS reports, LSAT Prep Plus, and LSAT score preview. It covers almost every major cost—except for whatever you decide to do to celebrate finishing the exam.
• Tier 2 is for those whose circumstances aren’t as extreme as those in Tier 1, but still need assistance.

Now, before everyone lines up and says that they need financial assistance, you need to qualify, and the qualifications are fairly strict, meaning you need to meet the federal poverty guidelines, which you can find online at the Department of Health and Human Services. You’ll need to provide all the necessary documents if and when you apply for the waiver.

The Role of Test Dates and Changes: And Why Planning Ahead Pays Off

LSAT administrations are offered several times a year, but failing to plan ahead can cost you. If you miss a registration deadline, you’ll have to choose a later test administration and maybe even miss out on your dream law school’s application cycle. If you need to change your LSAT test date, the LSAC is a little more flexible before the registration deadline, but late charges can be anywhere from $145 to $248.

If you’re on the fence about which test date will work best for you, I’d recommend marking every deadline on your calendar. And then color-code it or do whatever you need to do to make sure you pay attention to it. That way, you can avoid extra fees and any nasty surprises.

Don’t Forget the Cost of LSAT Prep Courses

The LSAT is hard; no one is going to argue that. Most law school applicants find that practice tests, LSAT prep courses, or even tutoring are necessary to reach their ideal LSAT score. And as far as cost goes, you can find free YouTube videos—but remember what they say about getting what you paid for, to $1,500 or more for live, comprehensive LSAT prep courses. With the old logic games gone, new courses now focus on reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and the LSAT argumentative writing sample, so make sure you’re getting up-to-date material.

When it comes to LSAT preparation, my advice is to budget for at least some formal prep because if you don’t, there’s a good chance you’ll waste your registration fee by going in unprepared.

Check out these reviews of top LSAT courses from Blueprint, Kaplan, and Magoosh to see which is for you.

Final Thoughts

So, how much does it cost to take the LSAT? Probably more than it looks like at first glance. With LSAT registration, the required CAS, CAS report fees, score previews, and maybe even changes to your test date, the total cost adds up quickly… and that’s before you even invest in LSAT prep courses or practice tests.

I’d recommend making a realistic LSAT budget before you get started, checking LSAC for all their up-to-date costs, and applying for LSAT fee waivers if you’re eligible. And do your prep!

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