How do you deal with a bad LSAT score?
Asked by: Grover Mohr | Last update: November 22, 2025Score: 5/5 (40 votes)
- Take Note of Admissions Statistics. ...
- Focus on Your GPA. ...
- Craft a Strong Personal Statement. ...
- Add to Your Resume. ...
- Consider a Diversity Statement. ...
- Write an LSAT Addendum for Your Application. ...
- Change Your Study Methods. ...
- Target Weaknesses.
What to do when you get a bad LSAT score?
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.
How to explain a bad LSAT score?
However, there are certain extenuating circumstances that do make sense to explain in an addendum, including: Unforeseen circumstances: If your LSAT score was adversely affected by something beyond your control, like an illness, car accident or other sudden catastrophe, and was therefore lower than you expected.
Is it better to cancel a bad LSAT score?
If you feel that you performed poorly on your LSAT, it may be a good idea to cancel your score. However, keep in mind that you do not get a refund if you cancel your score.
Can I get into law school with a bad LSAT score?
You can get into law school with a low LSAT but high GPA.
How I Got Into Law School With a LOW LSAT and Gpa || Releasing my LSAT || My Admission Story
Is a 149 a good LSAT score?
The median LSAT score is around 151-152, so 144-145 is significantly lower than this. As such, the majority of law schools will not accept scores below this.
How bad is a 135 on the LSAT?
As previously stated, the score range for any LSAT exam is 120 to 180, but the average score is about 150. However, most of the top ten law schools require a candidate to have scored at least 165 on the LSAT.
Does a bad LSAT score hurt you?
Meaning, a lower score on a LSAT retake should not hurt you. Now admissions officers are still humans, and there is most certainly some psychological negative impact of having multiple lower LSAT scores and then a high LSAT score when compared to someone who just scored high the first time.
Should I cancel a 143 LSAT score?
Vast majority of law schools take your highest score. Not a lot of benefit, if any, from cancelling. They'll see a canceled score notification. So if you are going to bring it up, I'd keep the score.
Does retaking the LSAT look bad?
No, law schools don't really care if you retake the LSAT. However, if you have multiple LSAT scores (four or more) it may raise a few eyebrows and make the admissions committees question your time management, dedication, and academic potential a little more.
Can a high GPA compensate for a low LSAT score?
The rest of your application must be as strong as you can make it to offset a low LSAT score. The first thing an admissions office will want to see to balance out a low LSAT score is a high GPA. This is a high cumulative GPA.
Why am I scoring so low on the LSAT?
Examples of reasons some tank their LSAT that are worth sharing in an addendum include: Learning disability or difference that causes you to struggle with exams. Having a documented history of poor tests (ACT, SAT, GRE). Having a medical emergency in the days leading up to the test, you didn't cancel your score.
What if I think my LSAT score is wrong?
You may request a score audit after you have received your LSAT score. If the score audit results in a score that is different from the original score — higher or lower — the result will be emailed to you and will be reflected in the CAS reports that are transmitted to the law schools to which you apply.
Should I cancel a 153 LSAT score?
If you don't have strong reason to believe you've done poorly, and retaking will delay your applications, you probably shouldn't cancel. Don't forget that rolling admissions rewards earlier applications.
How hard is it to raise your LSAT score?
Students have successfully improved their LSAT score by over 20 points, but it required several months, even years, of dedicated study, trial and error, and unwavering focus.
What is a failing LSAT score?
Understanding Your LSAT Scores. The LSAT scores range from 120-180, with 120 being the lowest possible score. If you are wondering what a good LSAT Score is, there is no failing or passing score on the LSAT.
Can I get into law school with a 143 LSAT score?
Appalachian School of Law, Virginia
With an acceptance rate of 63 percent, this school is slightly more competitive than some of the easiest on our list, but your chances of getting in are good if you have at least an LSAT score of 143 and a GPA of 2.80.
Is it normal to feel bad after LSAT?
While we hear this after every administration of the test, that's probably small comfort to you. Now that it's over, if you still have LSAT results anxiety based on your experience, that's normal! Most people feel terrible when they come out of the test.
Which part of the LSAT is the hardest?
Analytical Reasoning (Logic Games)
This may not seem like a lot, but with a 35-minute time limit, students will only have about eight and a half minutes to complete each individual “logic game.” These “logic games” are one of if not the most notorious sections of the LSAT because they are meant to trick the test-taker.
Does it look bad to cancel an LSAT score?
Whether to keep a 159 would be a judgment call, and there's really no wrong answer. No law school is inclined to think poorly of an applicant for having one cancellation, and almost no school cares if it takes you 3 scored attempts to reach your goal.
What score is 12 wrong on LSAT?
Every LSAT throughout the year is different, but on a typical LSAT, can still get around 18–19 questions wrong and still end up in the 160s—or about 12 wrong and get a 166, 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 first time takers?
LSAT scores range from 120 to 180. First-time LSAT test-takers score an average of 151 out of 180. The median LSAT score of first-year JD students is 158.5. Among first-year JD students, 160.9 is considered a high score (75th percentile), and 154.8 is considered a low score (25th percentile)
What was Elle Woods' LSAT score?
Elle Woods, a fictional character portrayed by Reese Witherspoon in the movie Legally Blonde, is known for her remarkable LSAT score—179 out of 180. Portrayed as a stereotypical "valley girl," she embarks on a journey to Harvard Law School in the movie that has since become a cult favorite.