Average LSAT Scores

What is the Importance of Average LSAT Scores?

The LSAT exam consists of four scored test sections. Your LSAT raw score depends upon the number of questions that have been answered correctly by you. These raw scores are converted to LSAT scores that are on a scale of 120 to 180. If you have taken more than one LSAT test before applying for admission to a law school, then it is likely that the school admission committee will consider your average LSAT scores while comparing your performance with that of other applicants. You may be at a disadvantage if you have not been able to do well in any one of the LSAT tests as this will bring your average LSAT scores down. At the same time, there would be LSAT schools that consider only your latest LSAT scores without giving importance to your average LSAT scores. Hence, it would be worthwhile to find out the policies of the law school of your choice with respect to the average LSAT scores much before you plan to take the LSAT. If your average LSAT scores are being considered by the law school of your choice, then you cannot afford to take any of your LSAT attempts lightly.

In order to maintain good average LSAT scores, some students cancel their LSAT scores immediately after completing the LSAT test sections in the case when they feel that they will not be able to score high. This is because of the inherent fear that one set of poor LSAT scores will adversely affect their average LSAT scores. Your answer sheet at the LSAT will have a section that spells out the instructions for requesting for cancellation of your LSAT scores before you leave the test center. You can also send a written cancellation request to LSAC after leaving the test center. You will get more information about cancellation of LSAT scores from the official website of LSAT, www.lsac.org. This website will also give you detailed information about the policies governing the average LSAT scores and the calculating of LSAT scores. You also need to get in touch with the law schools, where you plan to apply for admissions, for their policies on average LSAT scores. These policies may vary from school to school and it is likely that the law schools might change their policies for the current academic year.

What are the Ideal Average LSAT Scores?

You can consider yourself to have done very well in the LSAT if you manage to secure average LSAT scores of more than 167. If your aim is to get admission to top ranking law programs like those of Harvard University, Yale University, Columbia University etc. then you should aim for average LSAT scores of at least 170 because the highest LSAT scores of students admitted by these universities may go as high as 175. However, students with average LSAT scores of 168 also have good chances of getting admissions to these universities. With lower average LSAT scores, you can get admission to law programs being offered by universities like Oklahoma City University, North Carolina Central University etc. Go to the link, www.ilrg.com/rankings/law/index.php/1/desc/LSATHigh/2007 to see a list of law schools sorted by the highest and lowest LSAT scores of students admitted by them in the past 6 years. You can visit forums like www.top-law-schools.com and www.lawschoolbound.ca/ for discussions related to LSAT scores. You can also get in touch with students who will give you firsthand information about the law schools which consider your average LSAT scores and those which consider only your latest LSAT scores.

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