What to do if you get a bad LSAT score?

Asked by: Daniela Littel DVM  |  Last update: October 12, 2025
Score: 5/5 (35 votes)

How To Maximize Your Chances of Acceptance With a Low LSAT Score
  1. Understand Admissions Stats. ...
  2. Apply Strategically. ...
  3. Strengthen Your GPA. ...
  4. Write a Standout Personal Statement. ...
  5. Build a Solid Resume. ...
  6. Highlight Your Diversity. ...
  7. Explain Your LSAT Score.

What to do when you get a bad LSAT score?

Maximizing Your Chances of Acceptance With a Low LSAT Score
  1. Take Note of Admissions Statistics. ...
  2. Focus on Your GPA. ...
  3. Craft a Strong Personal Statement. ...
  4. Add to Your Resume. ...
  5. Consider a Diversity Statement. ...
  6. Write an LSAT Addendum for Your Application. ...
  7. Change Your Study Methods. ...
  8. Target Weaknesses.

Should I cancel a bad LSAT score?

Some people may come out of the test feeling nervous or unhappy with how they did but end up scoring very well. You should only seriously consider canceling an LSAT score if you feel like you completely flunked the exam.

Can I get into law school with a bad LSAT score?

You can get into law school with a low LSAT but high GPA.

Is a 157 a bad LSAT score?

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

How to score in the 170s on the LSAT.

37 related questions found

Should I retake the LSAT if I got a 157?

An LSAT score of 157 is a decent score (approximately at the 74th percentile) and will not make a law school applicant unwanted and retaking the LSAT is certainly a viable option.

Can I get into law school with a 155 LSAT?

For most law schools, an applicant should aim for an LSAT score of 152 or higher to gain admission.

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.

What LSAT score did Elle Woods get?

When she applied to this school, she had a 4.0 GPA with a 179 on the LSAT, the two most important things when applying to law school. The average LSAT score for students applying to Harvard is 174, meaning she got above the average.

Do law schools care about old LSAT scores?

According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), LSAT scores typically have a five-year shelf life, but some schools prefer scores from the last three to four years.

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.

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.

Can law schools see if you withdraw from LSAT?

Law schools will not see if you withdraw online from the LSAT prior to the official administration. Law schools will, however, see if you cancel a score after you take the test.

What is the lowest LSAT score accepted?

What Is The Lowest Acceptable Score? A 144-145 is generally considered to be the lowest acceptable score to attend law school. 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.

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.

Is a bad LSAT score the end of the world?

A low LSAT score is not the end of the road for law school applicants.

What was Obama's LSAT score?

The easiest to predict, by far, is Barack Obama's score, mostly because we have some data. Based on admissions records, we can deduce — somewhat reliably — that Barry-O scored between the 94th and 98th percentile on his LSAT. Using today's grading system, that would place him somewhere around a 170.

What is a mediocre LSAT score?

The LSAT percentile score range demonstrates your score relative to other test-takers over the past three years. According to the Law School Admission Council, which administers the test, the median score for the 2021-24 testing years was 153, meaning 50% of test-takers scored below and 50% scored above that number.

How rare is a 180 LSAT?

How Hard Is It To Get A Perfect Score On The LSAT? According to LSAC, only 119 test-takers out of nearly 60,000 achieved this in 2022. So when you ask, “How many people get a 180 on the LSAT?” the answer highlights the rarity and difficulty of this achievement.

Can I get into law school with a 148 LSAT score?

Can you get into law school with a 149 LSAT score? Yes, but even law schools accepting low LSAT scores have standards. A solid LSAT score ensures you meet these requirements.

How bad is a 152 on the LSAT?

A 150 is a decent LSAT score, but if we're getting specific, 151-152 is better, as this is the average LSAT score. You'll meet the LSAT requirements for many accredited law schools with a score in this range.

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)

Is a 159 a bad LSAT score?

As mentioned above, the average LSAT score nationally is a 152. Generally speaking, a score of 160 and above is necessary to guarantee admission into top-100 schools like Tulane, UC Hastings, or Case Western Reserve.