120 LSAT Score – Is 120 a Good LSAT Score?

Understanding your 120 LSAT Score is crucial for plotting your path to law school.

• What does a 120 LSAT score mean?
• Is it a barrier or just a hurdle on your legal journey?

This article unpacks these questions, offering key insights and actionable tips to improve your chances of law school admission.

Is 120 a Good LSAT Score?

When it comes to understanding your LSAT score, one of the first questions you’ll likely ask yourself is: Is 120 a good LSAT score? Given that the LSAT is a critical component of your law school application, this is an important question to consider.

The Definition of a “Good” Score

• In the realm of LSAT scores, the average tends to hover around 150.
• A “good” score generally means one that can get you into the law school of your choice.

Comparing a 120 Score

• 120 is the lowest possible score on the LSAT.
• Given that the average score is 150, a 120 places you significantly below the average test-taker.

So, is 120 a good LSAT score? Frankly, the answer is no. A 120 LSAT score puts you in the bottom third percentile of test-takers. This means that more than two-thirds of test-takers have outperformed you, which makes your application less competitive when aiming for law school admission. Furthermore, while each law school has its own unique set of criteria for admission, a 120 LSAT score will likely be a substantial barrier to gaining acceptance to most accredited institutions.

What This Score Tells Law Schools

• A score of 120 suggests a lack of preparation or understanding of the test material.
• It may also be interpreted as a potential risk for law schools concerning your ability to cope with the rigorous academic environment.

It’s important to remember that your LSAT score is just one piece of your application. Other elements like your GPA, personal statement, and letters of recommendation can also carry weight. However, a 120 LSAT score will certainly make your journey to law school more challenging.

To summarize, a 120 LSAT score is not a good score if your aim is to gain admission to an accredited law school. It puts you at a disadvantage compared to the vast majority of test-takers and raises red flags for admission committees.

Is 120 a Bad LSAT Score?

The flip side of wondering “Is 120 a good LSAT score?” is to ponder: Is 120 a bad LSAT score? The blunt answer to this question is yes, a 120 LSAT score is considered a bad score within the context of law school admissions. Let’s delve into why this is the case.

The Statistical Reality

• Bottom third percentile: A 120 score places you in the lowest possible percentile range for the LSAT.
• Comparatively Few Options: With a 120, your options for law school are severely limited, if not virtually non-existent in terms of ABA-accredited institutions.

Consequences of a 120 Score

• Financial Burden: If you do manage to get accepted into a law school with a 120 LSAT score, it’s likely you’ll have to pay full tuition.
• Academic Risk: Law schools might see you as an academic risk, questioning your ability to succeed in a challenging law program.

Given these points, a 120 LSAT score is not just a hurdle; it’s more like a significant barrier to your law school aspirations. This score is often seen as an indicator of either a lack of preparation or a poor understanding of the test material. Either way, it presents a negative image to admissions committees.

What Can You Do About It?

• Retake the Test: One of the most straightforward steps to address a 120 LSAT score is to prepare more thoroughly and retake the test.
• Supplement Your Application: Highlight other strong aspects of your application, such as GPA or work experience, to mitigate the impact of a low LSAT score.

In summary, a 120 LSAT score will significantly impede your law school admission chances. Not only does it place you in the bottom percentile of test-takers, but it also brings into question your readiness for the academic rigor of law school. Consequently, it’s advisable to consider retaking the LSAT or bolstering other parts of your application to improve your odds.

120 LSAT Score Percentile

When grappling with a 120 LSAT score, you might wonder where this score places you among all test-takers. To answer that, let’s delve into the percentile ranking of a 120 LSAT score.

What Does “Percentile” Mean?

• Percentile ranking is a way to see how your score compares to all the people who took the LSAT.
• For instance, a 50th percentile score means you did better than 50% of test-takers.

Your Percentile with a 120 LSAT Score

• Bottom Third: A 120 LSAT score places you in the bottom third percentile.
• Comparative Scarcity: With such a percentile, you outperform a very small fraction of test-takers, making your application much less competitive.

So, what does this percentile indicate? Simply put, a 120 LSAT score puts you at a distinct disadvantage. You’re scoring lower than a vast majority of test-takers, which significantly reduces your chances of gaining admission to most law schools, especially ABA-accredited ones.

Implications for Law School Admission

• Limited Options: Your percentile ranking narrows your list of prospective law schools considerably.
• Increased Scrutiny: Admissions committees will scrutinize other aspects of your application even more if your LSAT score is this low.

Given the implications, a percentile ranking at this level is quite concerning. A low percentile means you have a harder climb ahead in the competitive arena of law school admissions. It may not be impossible to gain admission somewhere, but it’s going to be an uphill battle that likely involves considerable financial expenditure and limited choices of institutions.

In summary, your 120 LSAT score percentile makes your law school journey substantially more challenging. Being in the bottom third percentile severely limits your options and makes each additional component of your application all the more critical. If law school is your aspiration, you’ll need to strategize carefully to overcome this significant barrier.

Can You Get Into Law School with a 120 LSAT Score?

The question “Can you get into law school with a 120 LSAT score?” is undoubtedly on your mind if you’ve received this low score. While the odds are not in your favor, there are some specific points you should consider.

What Schools Are Likely Options?

• Non-ABA Accredited Schools: Some non-ABA accredited schools may consider your application with a 120 score.
• Online Programs: Some online or less-reputable schools might not weigh LSAT scores as heavily.

Financial Considerations

• Full Tuition: The schools that are likely to accept you may not offer financial aid, meaning you’d pay full tuition.
• Debt: Attending these schools could result in significant debt, with no guarantee of passing the bar or securing employment in the legal field.

Receiving a 120 LSAT score severely limits your options. Most ABA-accredited law schools look for LSAT scores that are considerably higher. Additionally, your low percentile ranking further diminishes your competitiveness as a law school applicant. While some schools may consider your application despite a 120 LSAT score, these are likely not your top choices or the most reputable institutions.

Weighing the Risks and Rewards

• Employability: Lower-tier schools often have less impressive employment statistics, which can affect your career long-term.
• Bar Passage Rates: These schools often have lower bar passage rates, a crucial factor to consider.

So, can you get into law school with a 120 LSAT score? Technically, yes. But the schools that are willing to admit you are likely not your top picks and come with their own sets of challenges, including financial burden and uncertain career prospects.

In summary, while it may be possible to get into law school with a 120 LSAT score, it is not advisable without careful consideration of the risks involved. Your limited options and the potential long-term repercussions on your career should be weighed heavily before proceeding on this path.

Should You Cancel a 120 LSAT Score?

If you’ve walked away from the testing center with a 120 LSAT score, you might be contemplating whether you should cancel this score. This is a significant decision and one that should be made thoughtfully.

Reasons to Consider Cancellation

• Stigma: A 120 score is the lowest possible and can stigmatize your law school applications.
• Signal to Law Schools: This score sends a negative signal about your preparedness for law school.

When Not to Cancel

• First Try: If this is your first attempt, and you plan to retake the test, some argue that keeping the score shows growth.
• Other Strong Components: If the rest of your application is exceptionally strong, a low LSAT score may be seen in the context of an otherwise solid application.

Given that a 120 LSAT score is on the extreme low end of the scoring spectrum, it is widely viewed as a poor performance indicator by admissions committees. However, the decision to cancel should not be made impulsively.

Potential Consequences of Cancellation

• No Record: Canceling leaves you with no record of having taken the test, which might be preferable to a 120 score.
• Lost Time and Money: Remember, you’ve spent time and money preparing for and taking this test. Canceling erases this effort.

So, should you cancel a 120 LSAT score? If you believe that you can significantly improve on a retake, or if this score is an outlier in an otherwise strong academic record, then cancellation may be a good option. This will allow you to retake the test and apply to schools with a stronger score, without the stigma of a 120 hanging over you.

In summary, cancelling your score can be a strategic move, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Assess your specific circumstances, potential for improvement, and overall law school goals before making this crucial decision.

How Hard Is It to Score a 120 on the LSAT?

When you hear about a 120 LSAT score, one question that might pop up is, “How hard is it to score a 120 on the LSAT?” Interestingly, scoring a 120 is actually more difficult than you might think, but not for the reasons you’d expect.

The Challenge of Scoring Low

• Guessing Strategy: If you were to simply guess on every question, statistically you’d likely score higher than a 120 due to the multiple-choice format.
• Intentional Wrong Answers: Scoring as low as 120 often requires consistently selecting the wrong answers, which ironically requires some understanding of the test material.

Psychological Factors

• Stress and Anxiety: Test-day nerves can play havoc with your performance, making it possible to score much lower than your practice tests.
• Lack of Preparation: A 120 score is often an indicator of insufficient preparation or misunderstanding the test format.

The irony is that a score of 120 is not easily achieved through sheer lack of effort or by random guessing. To hit this low of a score, there generally has to be a serious misunderstanding of the LSAT questions or a significant lack of preparation. In this sense, a 120 LSAT score is actually hard to get if you have put in any level of serious preparation for the test.

What This Means for You

• Reflect and Reassess: A score of 120 is a signal to seriously evaluate your study strategies and perhaps seek professional help.
• Identify Weak Points: Use the score to identify areas for improvement in both knowledge and test-taking skills.

In summary, scoring a 120 on the LSAT isn’t as easy as it might initially seem. It often indicates specific challenges that require targeted attention, whether those be related to test-taking skills, stress management, or subject-matter comprehension. If you find yourself with a 120, take it as an urgent sign to refocus and redouble your preparation efforts for a retake.

Tips to Improve Your 120 LSAT Score

So you’ve received a 120 LSAT score. While it’s certainly a setback, it’s not the end of your law school aspirations. In fact, there are specific, actionable steps you can take to improve your score dramatically. Let’s dive in.

Revisiting Your Study Strategy

• Time Investment: One of the most straightforward ways to improve is to dedicate more time to focused study.
• Quality Resources: Invest in reputable LSAT prep books, courses, or tutors.
• Practice Tests: Consistently taking timed practice tests can provide invaluable insight into your strengths and weaknesses.

Understanding the LSAT Inside and Out

• Question Types: Understand the types of questions that appear on the LSAT and how to approach each one.
• Logical Reasoning Skills: The LSAT is a test of reasoning. Strengthen your logical and analytical abilities through targeted exercises.

Improving from a 120 LSAT score will require targeted effort and a reassessment of your initial approach. Given that the LSAT is a test of skill rather than knowledge, it’s crucial to adapt your methods to the types of questions you’ll encounter. Honing your logical reasoning skills, improving your reading comprehension, and mastering the art of the analytical essay are all crucial steps in your LSAT improvement journey.

Tech Aids for LSAT Prep

• LSAT Apps: Many apps can help you prepare on the go, making use of spare moments.
• Online Forums and Groups: Use online platforms to connect with other LSAT test-takers for mutual advice and encouragement.

In summary, while a 120 LSAT score is a serious obstacle, it’s also an opportunity for growth. By reassessing your study strategies, focusing on understanding the test itself, and making good use of available resources, you can make significant strides. A comprehensive and adaptive approach is essential for transcending the limitations of a 120 LSAT score and setting yourself up for law school success.

Understanding the LSAT Scoring Scale: From 120 to 180

Navigating the law school admissions process can be confusing, especially when it comes to LSAT scores. To truly understand what your 120 LSAT score means, it’s crucial to grasp the full LSAT scoring scale that ranges from 120 to 180.

The Scoring Scale Explained

• Low Scores (120-147): Falling in the bottom third percentile, these scores will significantly limit your law school options.
• Mid-Range Scores (148-156): Placing you in the 33rd-67th percentile, these scores open up more opportunities but are still considered average.
• High Scores (157-164): These scores put you in the 70th-89th percentile and make you a competitive applicant for many law schools.
• Exceptional Scores (165-180): Falling in the top 10% of all test takers, these scores can open doors to top-tier law schools.

Understanding this scale is pivotal for setting realistic goals. A 120 LSAT score puts you at the very bottom of the range, which means there’s ample room for improvement.

Relativity and Perspective

• Benchmarking: Use the average LSAT scores of your target schools as a benchmark for your own improvement.
• Holistic Admissions: Some schools consider the whole applicant, not just the LSAT score, although a minimum score is usually required.

Strategy for Improvement

• Retaking the LSAT: Most students improve on their second try, especially after targeted preparation.
• Time Management: Learning to manage your time during the test can result in significant score gains.

In summary, a 120 LSAT score is a starting point, but it’s far from the end of your law school journey. Understanding where you stand on the LSAT scoring scale can help guide your preparation and set realistic expectations for your law school applications. By focusing on strategic improvement and being aware of the benchmarks you need to hit, you can shift your score from the bottom of the scale closer to your desired range.

For more information on the LSAT Scoring Scale we recommend you check out LSAT.org

LSAT Scores 120 to 180

120	121	122	123	124
125	126	127	128	129
130	131	132	133	134
135	136	137	138	139
140	141	142	143	144
145	146	147	148	149
150	151	152	153	154
155	156	157	158	159
160	161	162	163	164
165	166	167	168	169
170	171	172	173	174
175	176	177	178	179
180

Conclusion: Embracing Your LSAT Score & Planning Your Law School Journey

Congratulations, you’ve reached the end of this comprehensive guide on understanding a 120 LSAT score. While it’s a low starting point, it’s important to remember that it is just that—a starting point. Now, it’s time to plan your journey toward law school with a focus on improvement and strategic action.

Your Next Steps

• Reevaluation: Take a step back and objectively assess what led to your 120 score.
• Targeted Preparation: Utilize resources that cater to your weaknesses and learning style.
• Seek Professional Help: Tutors and prep courses can provide invaluable tailored advice.

Keeping the End Goal in Mind

• Law School Dream: Keep your end goal in sight and use it as motivation.
• Holistic Approach: Remember that law schools consider a range of factors including GPA, extracurriculars, and work experience.

Your 120 LSAT score is not an insurmountable barrier to your law school aspirations. It’s a wake-up call that can propel you to take the necessary steps for improvement. Use this as a learning experience to better prepare for your next attempt. The path to improving your LSAT score and consequently, your law school options, is rarely a straight line. It requires consistent effort, strategic planning, and a resilient mindset.

Embrace the Journey

• Learning Experience: Each stage of your preparation is a learning opportunity.
• Growth Mindset: Adopt a mindset that embraces challenges as opportunities for growth.

In conclusion, a 120 LSAT score is undoubtedly a challenging obstacle, but it’s not an end. Embrace the score for what it is—a call to action, an opportunity for growth, and a chance to prove to yourself and to law schools that you are more than a number. Focus on actionable steps and keep a positive, proactive mindset as you plan your law school journey.