Should I keep a low LSAT score?
Asked by: Prof. Jamarcus Treutel Sr. | Last update: March 6, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (27 votes)
You should generally keep a low LSAT score, especially if it's your first attempt or if you plan to retake it, because most law schools use your highest score, and showing improvement is viewed positively; only consider canceling if the score is far below your practice tests, significantly lower than past scores, or if you're applying to one of the few schools that average scores, but avoid multiple cancellations as that can raise red flags.
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.
What was Barack Obama's LSAT score?
Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed to have been very high, likely in the 170-175 range, to gain admission to Harvard Law School with a relatively low undergraduate GPA. Analysts suggest he needed a score in the top percentiles (perhaps 94th-98th) to overcome his lower GPA and secure a spot at the prestigious institution, indicating a strong performance near the perfect 180 score.
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.
Should I keep a 151 LSAT score?
151 is about average and in fact may be right at the average score where 50% of people do worse and 50% do better. You can still get into a law school with this score, although probably not a good one.
Low LSAT Score!!! What Next??
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.
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.
What score did Elle Woods need on her LSAT?
Elle Woods needed to score a 179 on the LSAT, just one point shy of a perfect 180, to get into Harvard Law School in the movie Legally Blonde, a remarkable jump from her initial practice score of 143. This near-perfect score placed her in an extremely high percentile, proving her dedication and intelligence despite initial underestimation.
Should I cancel a 158 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 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).
Did Michelle Obama ever pass a 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.
What is most people's first LSAT score?
The average LSAT score is around 152, though many top-100 schools will require more than the average for admissions. Schools will compare you to other applicants from the same cycle.
What to do if your LSAT score is low?
If taking the LSAT is your worst nightmare, consider these five tips:
- Try a different standardized test.
- Look for ways to apply without test scores.
- Retake the LSAT.
- Consider an addendum.
- Emphasize other strengths.
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.
Is your 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.
Should I retake the LSAT if I got a 158?
If you don't have the time or energy to grind before November, you could apply now with 158 and still be competitive at plenty of places. But if you feel like 160+ is in reach and worth the extra effort, retaking once more could pay off long term.
How bad is a 154 on the LSAT?
A 154 LSAT score isn't "bad" in absolute terms (it's above average for all test takers and diagnostic scores), but it's considered average to below-average for admission to many ranked law schools, potentially requiring a strong GPA or compelling personal statement to get into mid-tier schools, while being a significant hurdle for T-14/Big Law prospects. Your chances largely depend on the schools' medians, your GPA, and application strength, with a 154 often placing you in the lower half of admitted classes at many institutions.
How many mistakes for 165 LSAT?
On a four section LSAT, you can miss roughly 18 questions and get a 165. On a three section LSAT, you can miss roughly 13 questions and get a 165.
What is the lowest LSAT score to get into Harvard Law?
Although Harvard Law School does not technically have a minimum LSAT score requirement, our team estimates a 165 is the absolute lower limit of the 'outlier zone'. If you are applying with a 165, your application must demonstrate elite-level excellence in other areas.
Who has gotten a 180 on the LSAT?
A total of 26 perfect LSAT scores (i.e., 180 on the 120-180 scale) were achieved worldwide during the year out of 113,778 people taking the LSAT. The odds of achieving a 180 during the year were approximately 1 in 4400 (0.02%). Two of the 26 students (7.7%) who got a perfect 180 score that year (Michael R. and Mark W.)
What is the most common LSAT score?
Your LSAT score is the most important factor for admission to law school. The highest LSAT score is 180. The average LSAT score is about 152. A "good" LSAT score depends on the law schools you are considering.
Should I retake the LSAT if I got a 150?
You should retake the LSAT if your official score is 2-4+ points below your practice test average, you had a concrete test-day disruption, and you can seriously uplevel your prep without delaying your law school applications past the late fall early submission window—but don't retake if your practice tests match your ...
Can I get into law school with a 152 LSAT?
From your raw scores, the test is graded on an LSAT score scale from 120-180. The average LSAT score is about 150. To get into a top 14 law school, you need to score above 166, and to get into a top 50 law school, you need 153 or above.
Is it better to keep or cancel 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.