Maximizing Your Score On The LSAT

You already know that the LSAT is a critical component of your law school application. But what constitutes a “good” LSAT score?
Ilana Kowarski, a reporter at US News, recently spoke with some experts who broke down what it means to have a “good” LSAT score.
“As far as an LSAT score to aim for in order to be competitive for admission to law school, it really does depend on the particular school and how competitive it is,” says Kellye Testy, president and CEO of the Law School Admission Council, the nonprofit organization that administers the LSAT, in a US News interview.
Aim For A Score In The High 160s And Above
The LSAT is scored on a scale from 120 to 180.
Experts say a competitive score is in the high 160s and above.
“The average score is about 150, but if you’re looking to get into one of the top 25 law schools, your score should be well over 160,” according to LSAT Center.
But raw score isn’t the only important factor when it comes to the LSAT. According to Will Haynes, a test prep tutor for The Princeton Review, percentile rank is also crucial to admissions officers.
“People often get hung up on the exact score, but they should also consider their percentile rank,” Haynes tells US News. “This looks at how test takers compare to each other.”
Percentile rank can be especially important when you’re being compared to others with similar raw scores.
“This means students do not need to chase after a perfect score,” Haynes tells US News. “There is barely any difference between a 170 and a 180 in the eyes of admissions.”
Setting Yourself Up For Success
When it comes to the LSAT, logic is the name of the game.
Many experts agree that if you want to master the LSAT, you’ll first need to learn and understand the logic on the LSAT.
The LSAT tests students on their understanding of several logical principles. Approximately 26 of these known principles have appeared on the LSAT. “Many questions on the LSAT test students on one or more of these principles,” Robert Fojo, principal at Fojo Law, P.L.L.C., and co-founder and CEO of LSAT Freedom, writes in a LinkedIn post. “If you spend the time learning the logic on the LSAT, you can begin recognizing these principles – through consistent and organized practice – as they manifest themselves on various questions on the exam.”
Nikki Geula, the founder and CEO of Arete Educational Consulting, says students should practice the logic games portion of the LSAT.
“Logic games can really be mastered,” Geula tells US News. “It’s really just knowing how to set them up and having a strategy for all the types of games that are on the test.”
While enough practice can certainly raise your LSAT score, it’s also important to remember that the LSAT is just one component of your entire application.
“Sadly, someone can’t simply score high on the LSAT and expect a direct acceptance into the best law schools; the rest of the application absolutely matters,” Haynes tells US News.
Sources: US News, LSAT Center, LinkedIn