How do I know if I am where I should be as far as LSAT scores go?

Question

I just took my very first LSAT prep test and I got a 147. I have a few years until I take it, but is this score relatively in the ball park for what people get the first time they take a practice? I want to get into Boalt, but the chances of that are slim, so UC Hastings is more my first choice school.

Answer 1

147 is too low for Boalt or Hastings.  I had a 166 (as with most of my classmates, I only took it once) and went to Loyola.  Of course, you are talking about prep tests, not the real thing, and I don't know how those compare.  I never took any prep tests or courses.  Most schools average LSAT scores, so I would advise against counting on multiple tries to help you.  Do it once and do it well.

Answer 2

Ideally your minimum score should be 150 when you take the LSAT for real. It may not get you into your first choice but it will ensure that you are in the playing field provided you have a decent GPA. Furthermore on a practice test I would aim for at least 155 - 160 due to the fact practice tests tend to score a bit higher then the real test. So if you received a 147 on a practice test then it is probable if you took it for real you score would be in somewhere between 135 - 145 which would be a bit low for law school admission unless your GPA was at least 3.8.

My recommendation would be to have a strong GPA of at least 3.5 with a strong LSAT score.

Answer 3

"Admitted students generally have LSAT scores ranging from 160 to 165, for those in the 25th and 75th percentiles respectively. On average, the LSAT score of admitted students is approximately a 163." So you really should get your scores up. Most colleges average your scores, so you need to get it as high as possible.

You should enroll in a prep course--apparently they help a lot. The month before you take the test, you should take an LSAT practice test at least once a week.