What to do if you get a low LSAT score?

Asked by: Prof. Emmalee Swift  |  Last update: October 23, 2023
Score: 4.8/5 (54 votes)

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.

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

You can still get into law school if you have an LSAT score that is lower than your target. The key is to make yourself a competitive candidate otherwise through a stellar personal statement, impressive resume, and strong letters of recommendation.

What is considered a low LSAT score?

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

Is it bad if your LSAT score goes down?

Basically, an interval of 1-2 points up or down is pretty standard, for a number of reasons; there may be a few more longer questions on your most recent test than on the ones before, or you misread a question. This applies no matter how well you know your stuff.

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.

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15 related questions found

Can you go from a 145 to a 170 on LSAT?

I'm a current LSAT student. My diagnostic score was 146 and I hit 170 on the nose for the first time about two months ago. It is possible, even if it's time-consuming. I've been studying for a little over ten months, and took the second half of June off since I sat for the June LSAT and was a bit burnt out.

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.

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.

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.

Is it worth retaking LSAT?

One of the most obvious benefits of retaking the LSAT is a higher score—we're talking two to three points on average, for most test takers. Of course, results will not only vary depending on how many prep hours you've logged, but on how ready you are to give it another crack come retest day.

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.

Is 157 a bad LSAT score?

The typical LSAT score for 2022 law school enrollees was about 159, but top programs require scores in the 170-175 range.

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.

Is a 153 LSAT score good?

Now that you have some background regarding the LSAT, you might be thinking that a score between 145-153 is actually pretty good. To be fair, a score in that range actually isn't bad, but if you are looking to get into a top-ranked law school, you'll need something better.

Is a 140 a good LSAT score?

Average 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 149 a bad LSAT score?

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

Is 138 a bad LSAT score?

But in most cases, 138 LSAT score indicates that you either should not go to law school and waste so much much on education. Or, it may mean you did not prepare well enough for LSAT.

What is 80% correct on LSAT?

A score in the 80th percentile or higher will give you a good chance at most schools. This requires a scaled score around 160 and a raw score of approximately 78 or 79.

How many questions can you miss to get a 175 on the LSAT?

Scoring a 175 means you missed 5 questions on the test, which can be the equivalent of an entire logic game. Scoring a 170 means you missed 10 or 11 questions, which is nearly half of an entire section.

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.

Can you improve LSAT score in 2 months?

Two months is the optimal LSAT prep schedule for many students. While you can make great score improvements with one intense month of study, practice, and review, most expert LSAT faculty will recommend a longer schedule if one is possible for you.

Is it possible to raise your LSAT score by 10 points?

If you've sat for the LSAT multiple times, and have not seen much change in your score, you might think it's impossible to increase it, no matter how much you study. However, this is not true! We've had students increase their scores by 5-10 points on their third or fourth attempt at the LSAT.

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).

Is 158 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.

Is 155 a low LSAT score?

Scores range between 120 and 180 on the LSAT. However, the average LSAT score is 150, which is enough to get you into most American Bar Association-accredited law schools.