How do I compensate for a low LSAT score?

Asked by: Carolyn Schinner  |  Last update: August 30, 2023
Score: 4.4/5 (28 votes)

The best way to make up for a low LSAT score is to simply retake the test until you achieve a score that is in line with your practice test results. You can take the test up to three times in one testing year, five times over the current and past five years, and seven times total.

Do law schools care about your lowest LSAT?

While you may be able to apply and even be accepted into a law school with a lower LSAT score, there is a cut-off for acceptable application scores. If you are consistently scoring lower than 145, you may need to consider significant studying and a retake before applying to law schools.

Should I cancel a low LSAT score?

Canceling your LSAT score once is not a big deal. Most law schools understand that there are many reasons that students might have for canceling an LSAT score. However, canceling your LSAT score more than once might not be the best look for your overall application.

Has anyone gotten into law school with a low LSAT?

You can get into law school with a low LSAT but high GPA. As you can see from my clients above who got into law schools with low LSAT scores, most of them had excellent GPAs.

How do I write an addendum for a low LSAT score?

Like GPA, an LSAT score addendum should have something to point to as evidence you're more than your score. If you don't have a good reason for a low LSAT score, don't write an addendum. Try to highlight your other strengths (high GPA, strong softs, URM status, etc.) in your PS/DS and let them speak for themselves.

HOW A LOW LSAT SCORE AFFECTED MY CAREER | overcoming a low LSAT score

15 related questions found

What is considered a low LSAT?

Typical LSAT score ranges include: 120-147 Low. 148-156 Mid. 157-164 High.

Do LSAT addendums help?

Low or Multiple LSAT Scores

It is generally rarer to need to include an addendum discussing your LSAT scores. Typically, this type of addendum is only necessary if your LSAT score was affected by something outside of your control and you want to provide an explanation for it.

What is a mediocre LSAT score?

The LSAT score range is 120–180, and the median score is approximately 152. You need to get about 60 questions right (out of 99–102 questions) to get that median score of 152, which means you need to bat about 60 percent.

Can I get into law school with a 135 LSAT?

Quite frankly, if your LSAT score is below 147, it will be difficult to be admitted to an accredited law school, not impossible but very difficult. Your GPA will have to do some heavy lifting. If your LSAT score is 150 or above, your chances increase if you choose prospective law schools wisely.

What is the lowest LSAT score accepted by Harvard?

So let's take a look at what it actually takes to have a chance of being admitted to the most prestigious and preeminent law school in the world. As you can see from these numbers, an LSAT score of 170 or higher and a GPA above 3.75 will give you a chance of gaining admission to Harvard Law School.

Should I keep a bad LSAT score?

Should You Actually Cancel Your LSAT Score? In the final analysis, if you have strong reason to believe you've done poorly, and if you have time to take the test again (and to further your preparation), there's nothing wrong with canceling one LSAT score (but only one).

What if my LSAT score goes down?

Decide Whether to Retake the Test

It's common to take the LSAT multiple times, and there is generally little penalty for doing so. If you have not taken the LSAT three times within one testing year, five times within five years, or seven times overall, there are many reasons to consider retaking the test.

Is it bad if your LSAT score goes down?

Basically, an interval of 1-2 points up or down is pretty standard, for a number of reasons; there may be a few more longer questions on your most recent test than on the ones before, or you misread a question. This applies no matter how well you know your stuff.

What if I score lower on my second LSAT?

So even though your first two scores may be significantly lower than that school's median, an admissions officer could give a rat's ass—when it comes to LSAT scores—if they're comparing you to an applicant who scored a 168 on their first try. So your highest score is really all law schools care about.

Does it look bad if you take the LSAT twice?

Due to the difficulty of the test, law schools generally understand that students may not receive their ideal score the first time around. As a rule, schools look for score improvements overall, and do not necessarily view multiple attempts at the LSAT as a negative factor on an application.

What is the average LSAT score for first time takers?

Data Summary. The average LSAT score for first-time takers was 151, according to scores tracked from 2006-2013. During this period, second-time test takers had the highest LSAT average score of about 152. The average national LSAT score for full-time, first-year JD enrollees for fall 2022 was about 159.

What did Obama get on the LSAT?

Unraveling the secret behind Obama's LSAT Score

Hence it's very likely that Obama had an LSAT Score around the median of the class (43 on the then-used 48 point scale).

Does LSAT or GPA matter more?

Most law schools tend to give LSAT scores a bit more weight, but some schools care more about grades. The admissions process is inevitably subjective, and some admissions officers might be more forgiving of a gap than others.

Do law schools look at old LSAT scores?

For example, if you apply to a law school in January 2023, any LSAT scores you earn in the July 2022-June 2023 testing year will be reported. Any scores you earned during the following testing years will also be reported: July 2021-June 2022.

What score is 20 wrong on LSAT?

Every LSAT throughout the year is different, but on a typical LSAT, you can still get 25 wrong and end up in the 160s— or about 20 wrong and get a 164, a 90th percentile score. Even a perfect score of 180 often allows for a question or two to be missed.

What is the average LSAT score for someone who didn't study?

The LSAT ( law school admission test) exam is scored between 120-180; on average, students sitting in the exam can score 145-153 without studying based on various statistics. LSAT is an exam based on the performance of the test takers, which directly means it is a scalar exam.

What LSAT score did Elle Woods get?

LSAT Lessons from Legally Blonde (really!)

As you probably know, the LSAT is scored from 120 to 180. Elle Woods was able to raise her score from a 143 to a 179 just by diligently preparing.

What is the hardest section to improve on LSAT?

Typically test takers find Analytical Reasoning to be the most difficult section of the LSAT.

Do law firms care about your LSAT?

Higher Scores

Many law firms select interns by evaluating the schools they attend, their overall performance, and their LSAT scores. Those with high scores are more likely to land an internship at a respected law firm.

What section is worth the most on LSAT?

The Logical Reasoning section is the most important section of the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) simply because there are two graded sections, compared to just one for the other sections. Each question type on the LSAT Logical Reasoning section contains a brief paragraph that usually is an argument.