Is it bad to keep a low LSAT score?
Asked by: Prof. Vernice Rohan | Last update: January 31, 2026Score: 5/5 (26 votes)
Keeping a low LSAT score isn't inherently "bad" because most law schools use your highest score, but it's usually best to cancel if the score is far below your potential, especially if it was due to poor performance or test-day issues, to avoid unnecessary explanations or concerns about your ability to handle pressure, though one or two cancellations are generally fine and show improvement is possible. However, if the score reflects your true ability or you have no real chance to improve significantly, keeping it might be okay, but it's generally better to show improvement or cancel if it's very low and you plan to retake.
Should I keep my low LSAT score?
Some answers are easy. In general, you should almost always keep your first LSAT score, even if it's well below what you want it to be--officers will assume a 'cancel' means a low score anyway, and you don't want to be caught without an LSAT on record if your circumstances change.
Do law schools care about the lowest LSAT score?
Popular to contrary belief, the LSAT is not more important than the GPA. And in my experience, law schools are often more forgiving of a low LSAT if the applicant has a proven record of academic success. A strong GPA would be above a school's median, or at the very least within the school's median.
What was Barack Obama's LSAT score?
Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely above 170, potentially near perfect) to gain admission to Harvard Law School despite a lower undergraduate GPA, suggesting he was in the top few percentile of test-takers for his application year. While no official number exists, analyses point to a score in the top tier (e.g., 94th-98th percentile) to overcome his GPA for admission to a top-ranked program like Harvard.
What is the lowest acceptable LSAT score?
For a successfully completed LSAT, test-takers receive a scaled score that falls between 120 and 180. Higher scores are more competitive, boosting your odds of admission, but law programs typically don't have a specific cut-off or minimum score to apply.
Low LSAT score: keep, cancel, or postpone
Did Kim Kardashian pass the LSAT?
That said, the question about what the “Kim Kardashian LSAT score” was, or if she even took the LSAT ends in a resounding no. This unconventional choice has sparked conversations about making legal education more accessible and exploring diverse paths in the legal profession.
What is considered a bad LSAT score?
What a Low LSAT Score Means. If your LSAT score is in the 130s or low 140s, it's very hard to find an ABA law school anywhere in the US that will offer you unrestricted acceptance (especially in the increasingly competitive environment).
What LSAT did Elle Woods get?
Elle Woods scored a 179 on the LSAT, just one point shy of a perfect 180, after going from a 143 on a practice test to achieving this near-perfect score by studying intensely for Harvard Law School. Her remarkable score, combined with a 4.0 GPA, secured her admission to Harvard Law.
Did Michelle Obama ever pass the bar exam?
Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
What did Ben Affleck get on his SAT?
Ben Affleck reportedly had a "near-perfect" or "almost perfect" SAT score, rumored to be 1600, on the old 1600-point scale, though the exact score isn't officially confirmed, with sources citing sources like the New York Times on his high aptitude despite poor high school attendance.
Is GPA or LSAT more important?
In general terms, it can be said that law schools value LSAT scores more than they do your undergraduate GPA. However, just how much weight your LSAT score carries will vary between law programs and depends entirely on the preference and acceptance practices of each specific institution.
How to explain a low LSAT score?
If there's 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.
Does a bad LSAT score hurt you?
Most schools only use your top LSAT score for admissions, so having a lower score doesn't generally hurt you. A few schools do look at all your LSAT scores, but most just want to see a trend of improvement if you retake.
Why do I keep scoring low on LSAT?
Consider the circumstances surrounding the lower test score: were you ill, tired, stressed, or otherwise distracted? The LSAT demands a high degree of focus, so if you're not mentally sharp, your performance can suffer. Essentially, life happens, and you're not always able to take the LSAT under ideal conditions.
Is taking the LSAT 5 times bad?
Technically, you could take the LSAT up to 5 times in a single year. (You probably shouldn't. But you could.) The Law School Admissions Council used to limit students to taking the LSAT no more than three times within a single testing year.
Should I cancel my 153 LSAT score?
No, do not cancel. This score will be irrelevant but law schools will assume the worst. They won't use it but they will assume the canceled score is way worse.
Did Joe Biden pass a bar exam?
Yes, Joe Biden passed the bar exam and was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1969 after earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Syracuse University College of Law in 1968, despite graduating in the lower portion of his class. He practiced law before entering politics, serving as a lawyer and later becoming the 27th President of the United States, and the first President with a law degree from a non-"T-14" law school in a century, notes Law.com.
Did JFK Jr. fail the bar exam?
Let's take a journey through some of the prominent American attorneys I found that failed a bar exam in their lives. John F. Kennedy Jr., failed the NY bar exam twice before he passed on his third try.
Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam?
No, Kim Kardashian did not pass the California Bar Exam in July 2025, a result she publicly shared in November 2025, vowing to keep studying despite the setback, but she has previously passed the "Baby Bar" exam after multiple attempts and plans to retake the main bar exam. She revealed her failed attempt on her show The Kardashians, showing emotional moments from her preparation and disappointment, and emphasized her determination to pass.
Does Elle Woods have autism?
No, Elle Woods from Legally Blonde is not officially written as autistic, but many fans interpret her character as having autistic traits, such as intense focus on interests (fashion, law), strong memory, literal thinking, and challenges with social norms, making her a relatable figure for some within the autistic community who see themselves in her journey and focus, even if it's not an official diagnosis.
Is LSAT IQ?
The LSAT is not an IQ test. It does not measure intelligence the way IQ tests are designed to measure innate ability. A person who is very smart can receive a low LSAT score. A person who is very creative can receive a low LSAT score.
What LSAT will get you into Harvard?
The range of LSAT scores accepted at Harvard Law varies from year to year, reflecting the diversity of its applicant pool. Generally, successful applicants have LSAT scores ranging from the mid-160s to the high 170s, i.e. 168 to 175.
What to do if your LSAT score is low?
Increase and/or Change Up Your LSAT Prep
This means you have some time to do more test prep and retake the test in September or October if you have a low score. You might have studied hard for the LSAT, so you feel like you cannot possibly increase your score.
What is the hardest section of the LSAT?
The hardest LSAT sections vary by student, but commonly cited challenges include Logical Reasoning (LR) for its abstract language and nuanced question types (like Parallel Reasoning/Flaw), and Reading Comprehension (RC) due to ingrained reading habits, especially with complex science or legal passages (e.g., Waterbugs, Dworkin). While often feared, Logic Games (LG) (Analytical Reasoning) is generally considered the most learnable and perfectible section, despite tough hybrid or new rule questions.
What's a good LSAT score for not studying?
What can students expect to score on the LSAT without studying? Based on our independent research, students who sit for the LSAT without studying typically score between 145 and 150. However, that is the average and does not mean you can not score higher than that.