03/07/06
How to understand your Prep Test LSAT score
So, have you taken a practice LSAT and want to get an idea how well you did as far as national averages go and “competitiveness” for law school? (For a link to a Sample LSAT that you can take, click here). Here is an excellent summary I gleaned from a post on the LawSchoolDiscussion.org website.
“If you answered 58 or less correctly, you would have received a score of 150 or below. If you fall in this range, you may want to consider taking more than two months to properly prepare for the LSAT. You need to learn most of the skills that encompass a successful LSAT scoring ability. Consider taking at least four months to prepare in order to get a score in the high 150’s and at least six months to prepare in order to get a score in the low to mid 160’s. If you are serious about getting a score in the high 160’s and low 170’s, you will need to at least study for six to nine months. The good news is that the LSAT is a completely learnable test. (Please also read and follow the advice for the 151-155 score range.)
If you answered between 59 to 67 answers correctly you would have received a score between 151 and 155. If your practice score falls in this range, you are in pretty good shape. Ask yourself if the score was because you were not able to finish the test? Or did you finish the test and the score is this low because you rushed through the questions? It is really important to analyze your score and why you received the score you did receive. If you did not have enough time to finish, complete the rest of the questions now, untimed and rescore your test.
If you found that you ran out of time, but you scored in the 156-160 range once you completed the questions that you did not get to answer, then you are in good shape. You will be able to achieve a higher score by consistently taking timed practice tests and you should be able to complete your studies in two months. If you are aiming for a score in the mid 160’s, you should give yourself at least four months to study.
If you answered between 67 to 75 correctly, you would have received a score between 156 and 160. If your practice score falls in this range, you are in good shape. Same as for the lower scored advice above, ask yourself if the score was because you were not able to finish the test? Or did you finish the test and the score is this low because you rushed through the questions? It is really important to analyze your score and why you received the score you did receive. If you did not have enough time to finish, complete the rest of the questions now, untimed and rescore your test.If you found that you ran out of time, but you scored in the 161-165 range once you completed the questions that you did not get to answer, then you are in good shape. You will be able to achieve a higher score by consistently taking timed practice tests and you should be able to complete your studies in two months. If you are aiming for a score in the above 170, you should give yourself at least four months to study.
If you answered between 76 and 83 correctly, you would have received a score between 161 and 165. If your practice score falls in this range, you are in very good shape. Same as for the lower scored advice above, ask yourself if the score was because you were not able to finish the test? Or did you finish the test and the score is this low because you rushed through the questions? It is really important to analyze your score and why you received the score you did receive. If you did not have enough time to finish, complete the rest of the questions now, untimed and rescore your test.
If you found that you ran out of time, but you scored in the 165-170 range once you completed the questions that you did not get to answer, then you are in good shape. You will be able to achieve a higher score by consistently taking timed practice tests and you should be able to complete your studies in two months.
If you answered between 84 and 89 correctly, you would have received a score between 166 and 170. You are in great shape! For the next two months take the practice tests under timed conditions and study the LR question types that are giving you some “trouble”, do the same for the game section and take some timed reading sections. Take a few more practice tests to ensure that your score are an accurate reflection of what your score from this test and not just a “fluke”.
If you answered between 90 and 101 correctly, you would have received a score above 170 to 180. – You won’t need this guide, just take a few more practice tests to ensure that your score are an accurate reflection of what your score from this test and not just a “fluke”.
Be aware that the LSAT scores are based on a bell-shaped curve. Approximately 50 percent of all LSAT takers score below 150 and the other approximately 50 percent of all LSAT takers score above 150. The majority of LSAT takers score between 145 and 155.
