How do you explain a low LSAT score?

Asked by: Pierce Adams  |  Last update: September 16, 2023
Score: 4.7/5 (39 votes)

That said, if there is a specific reason for your underperformance on the LSAT and inability to retake it, write an addendum to explain your situation. For example, you might mention factors like unresolved personal hardships, persistent emergencies or a documented history of underperformance on standardized tests.

How do I write a low LSAT score for law school addendum?

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.

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.

Has anyone gotten into law school with a low LSAT?

Despite your best efforts, some things don't pan out as expected. Receiving a low LSAT score can be incredibly disappointing but don't give up hope! You can still get into a great law school despite a low LSAT score.

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.

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

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What to do after low LSAT score?

High grades can help offset a low LSAT score, as can strong recommendation letters from professors, professional experience and a well-structured personal statement. Use other elements of your application like your resume to bring out skills tested by the LSAT, like logical reasoning and close reading.

Should I cancel a 153 LSAT score?

First we should state that, in general, we do not recommend canceling your LSAT score. Canceling has very few benefits—the test still counts toward your allotted 3 takes per cycle (and 5 takes per 5-year period, and 7 takes total), and it doesn't remove the test administration from your record.

What is the lowest LSAT accepted?

How do I get into law school with a low LSAT score? 6 ways to boost your chances of admission: Retake the LSAT - the lowest acceptable LSAT score is 140. Take the GRE - but only if you'll do better percentile wise than the LSAT.

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.

Is a 149 LSAT score good?

The LSAT is scored from 120-180, and an average score is about 150.

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).

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.

Is there a failing LSAT score?

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.

What is the hardest section to improve on LSAT?

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

Is it hard to get LSAT accommodations?

But like most things related to law school admissions, requesting LSAT accommodations isn't an easy process. You have to meet strict deadlines, choose the right evaluators, and write statements that convincingly represent your need for LSAT testing accommodations.

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 without studying?

The average LSAT score without studying ranges from 135 to 145, well below the median at 151 in the 50th percentile. Preparing with practice tests and learning the skills you need for each exam section is the key to boosting your LSAT scores.

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.

Is 135 a bad LSAT score?

How low is too low? 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 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.

Can you get into Harvard Law with a low LSAT?

As of the most recent application cycle, Harvard Law's median LSAT score is 174. Assuming the rest of your application is perfectly “average” for Harvard Law, if your LSAT score is below 174, your chances of getting in are below average. If it's above 174, your chances are above average.

Do most people retake the LSAT?

Thus, when you go to the test center for the first time, the majority of people around you are also there for the first time. What about people repeating the test? The average percentage of second-time test takers is 26%, and the average percentage of third-time test takers is 5% (percentages rounded).

How bad is a 148 on the LSAT?

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

Is 155 an okay LSAT score?

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.

Can I increase my LSAT score by 20 points?

The Short Answer Is

Ultimately, most people improve by 10-20 points or more, but there are outliers who will improve by a lot more (and also, unfortunately, by a lot less). This is not to say that a target score that is 30+ points higher than your current range is utterly unrealistic: it's just exceptionally ambitious.