Taking the LSAT costs $253 in 2026-2027, but that's not the only fee you'll need to budget for when booking your test date. I'll walk you through the other costs you can expect, which fees you can avoid, and how LSAC's fee waiver program can help you save money.
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LSAT Costs and Fees Breakdown in 2026-2027
In total, you can expect to pay between $517 and $1,300 to take the LSAT and apply to law school in 2026-2027. The minimum cost is $517 for one LSAT attempt and one law school application, while applying to five schools costs $697. Your total could reach $1,103 if you apply to more schools and purchase optional services like Score Preview or a score audit.
Estimated LSAT Total Cost
| Cost Scenario |
Estimated LSAC Cost |
What’s Included |
| Minimum Cost |
$517 |
LSAT registration ($253)
CAS registration ($219)
1 CAS Law School Report ($45) |
| Typical Applicant |
$697 |
LSAT registration ($253)
CAS registration ($219)
5 CAS Law School Reports ($225) |
| Higher-End Applicant |
$1,103 |
LSAT registration ($253)
CAS registration ($219)
13 CAS Law School Reports ($585)
Score Preview ($46) |
Basic Fees
| Fee |
Cost |
With Fee Waiver |
What It Covers |
| LSAT |
$253 |
Free |
This is the basic registration fee for the LSAT and includes the Argumentative Writing portion. |
| Credential Assembly Service (CAS) |
$219 |
Free |
CAS collects your transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation, and LSAT score in one place and sends them to the law schools you apply to. Most ABA-approved schools require you to register for CAS. |
| CAS Law School Report |
$45 per report |
Free |
You need a separate CAS Law School Report for each law school that requires one. LSAC sends each report directly to the school, along with your transcripts, LSAT scores, and letters of recommendation. |
| LSAT-Only Law School Report |
$45 per report |
Free |
You can opt for an LSAT-Only Law School Report when applying to Canadian law schools or U.S. law schools that don't use CAS. You can also use this report if a U.S. law school accepts CAS but doesn't require it and you haven't purchased CAS. LSAC sends your LSAT scores and writing sample directly to each school for $45 per report. |
Auxiliary Fees
| Fee |
Cost |
Date Change Fee |
With Fee Waiver |
Details |
| LSAT Score Preview |
$46 if purchased before the test |
$87 if purchased after taking the test |
Free |
LSAT Score Preview lets you see your score before deciding whether to keep or cancel it. You have six days after receiving your score to decide whether to cancel it. |
| Official Candidate LSAT Score Report |
$50 |
— |
Free |
LSAC provides an official paper copy of all of your LSAT scores. Test-takers often request one to get a copy of their nonreportable scores (scores older than five years) or because they are applying to intellectual organizations like MENSA. However, anyone can order an official score report. |
| Score Audit |
$150 |
— |
$75 for pre-approved fee waiver recipients |
You can request a score audit if you think LSAC made a mistake when scoring your LSAT. The audit costs $150, but fee waiver recipients pay $75. |
| Test Date Change |
No charge |
$153 up to seven days after the deadline.
$253 from eight days after the deadline through the day before testing begins |
Same fees. The waiver does not apply. |
You can change your LSAT test date for free before the registration deadline. LSAC charges $153 if you make the change within seven days after the deadline. The fee increases to $253 starting eight days after the deadline until the day before the test day. |
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Should You Buy LSAT Score Preview?
I recommend buying the LSAT Score Preview if you want peace of mind on test day. Think of it as $46 worth of insurance in case you don’t perform your best. I’ve known students who bought it, didn’t use it in the end, but said it was nice to have the option to cancel in case they got a low score.
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LSAT Fee Waiver Tiers & Requirements
LSAC fee waivers can cover the full cost of taking the LSAT for eligible applicants. Tier 1 recipients receive two free LSAT registrations, while Tier 2 recipients receive one. Both tiers also cover additional expenses, including CAS registration, a limited number of Law School Reports, LSAT Score Preview, and a one-year LawHub Advantage subscription.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for an LSAT fee waiver, you need to:
- Meet LSAC’s income limits
- Be a U.S. or Canadian citizen or permanent resident or meet eligible immigration or residency status
- Complete the online Fee Waiver application through LawHub’s JD Services
- Submit required financial documents within 45 days of submitting your application
LSAC Fee Waiver Tier 1 vs Tier 2
If you are approved for either tier of the Fee Waiver program, you can start using its benefits as soon as you complete certain tasks, like their “How Do I Apply to Law School?” course and practice tests on LawHub.
| Benefit |
Tier 1 |
Tier 2 |
| Who it’s for |
Applicants with the greatest financial need |
Applicants who meet LSAC’s financial requirements but don’t qualify for Tier 1 |
| LSAT registration |
Two free LSAT registrations |
One free LSAT registration |
| LSAT Score Preview |
Free |
Free |
| CAS registration |
Free five-year subscription |
Free five-year subscription |
| Law School Reports |
Six law school reports |
Three law school reports |
| LawHub Advantage |
Free for one year |
Free for one year |
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FAQs
How Much Will I Spend on LSAT Preparation?
You can spend anywhere between $0 to $3,000+, depending on the study route you choose:
- Free resources ($0): LSAC offers a few free practice tests on LawHub and a Fee Waiver program for applicants with financial need. Our free LSAT practice tests are full-length and come with detailed answer explanations, and you can sign up for our LSAT Question of the Day to get a new practice question in your inbox every weekday.
- Self-study books ($50-$120): LSAT books can help prepare you for the exam. This is a good option for budget-conscious, disciplined test-takers.
- Online or in-person courses ($65-$2,000): Self-paced online courses are usually on the lower end of the range, while live courses can cost thousands.
- Private tutoring ($100-$400/hour): Hiring a one-on-one tutor is the fastest way to improve your score since it is personalized instruction based on your strengths and weaknesses. You can explore our LSAT tutoring packages to find an option that fits your goals and budget. All our tutors scored 173+ on the LSAT and provide personalized instruction to help you address your weaknesses, build on your strengths, and reach your target score.
How Much Will It Cost to Retake the LSAT?
Retaking the LSAT costs $253 in 2026-2027, the same price as your first attempt. You also need to factor in preparation costs like self-study books (~$50-$120), self-practice online courses (~$65/month), live courses (~1,500-$2,000), or private tutoring (~$100/hour).
Can I Cancel My LSAT Score?
Yes, you can cancel your LSAT score if:
- You cancel within six calendar days of your test date (if you didn’t purchase Score Preview)
- You cancel within six calendar days after your official score is released (if you did purchase Score Preview)
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