Wondering if your 123 LSAT score is apt for law school admission?
- Evaluation of 123 LSAT Score: Unveil if this score is deemed as good or bad.
- 123 LSAT Score Percentile: Determine where your score ranks among other test-takers.
- Law School Admission Possibility: Explore scenarios of getting admission with a 123 LSAT score.
Find out everything you need to know about a 123 LSAT score in this comprehensive guide.
- Is 123 a Good LSAT Score?
- Is 123 a Bad LSAT Score?
- 123 LSAT Score Percentile
- Can You Get into Law School with a 123 LSAT Score?
- Should You Cancel a 123 LSAT Score?
- How Hard Is It to Score a 123 on the LSAT?
- Tips to Improve Your 123 LSAT Score
- Understanding The LSAT Scoring Scale: From 120 to 180
- LSAT Scores 120 to 180
- Conclusion: Embracing Your LSAT Score & Planning Your Law School Journey
Is 123 a Good LSAT Score?
Often, many test-takers find themselves asking, “Is a 123 LSAT score considered good?” The answer largely depends on what one perceives as ‘good’ and what their goals are concerning law school admission.
Considering Average LSAT Scores
When comparing a score of 123 with the average LSAT scores, one would conclude that a 123 is not generally deemed as a ‘good’ score. The LSAT scores range from 120 to 180, and the average score tends to hover around 151-152. Given this, a 123 score falls significantly below the average, about the 10th percentile.
Law School Admission Expectations
An LSAT score largely informs the chances of a student being accepted into a law school. Most law schools look for scores significantly higher than 123, generally above 150, for reasonable chances of admission. Even schools with lower entry requirements prefer scores that are in the high 140s.
Is 123 a Bad LSAT Score?
There’s no sugarcoating it: a 123 is generally considered a lower-than-average LSAT score. But, let’s delve into this further and answer the question, “How bad is a 123 LSAT score?”
Perspective on LSAT Scores
Any score below the average LSAT score of 151-152 is considered below average. But the degree of ‘badness’ depends vastly on one’s aspirations. If one aims for a top-tier law school, a score of 123 might negatively affect their admissions chances. If, however, one is content with pursuing law at a smaller or less competitive school, it might not be as detrimental.
LSAT Scores and Law School Admission
Almost all the American Bar Association (ABA) approved law schools provide statistics showing the range of LSAT scores of their accepted students. These typically suggest that a high majority of accepted students score above 145. A score of 123, for most schools, would fall well below the 25th percentile of admitted students, limiting your options significantly.
123 LSAT Score Percentile
If you’re wondering, “What percentile is a 123 on the LSAT?” here’s a breakdown:
- LSAT Scores & Percentile Rankings: Approximately, an LSAT score of 123 positions a test-taker roughly in the 10th percentile of all test-takers. This implies that about 90% of LSAT test-takers scored better.
Typically, law schools prefer applicants to be in the 50th percentile or higher. However, some less competitive schools might consider applicants who fall below this percentile but excel in other areas of their applications.
Can You Get into Law School with a 123 LSAT Score?
“Can I get into law school with a 123 LSAT Score?” is a question that is likely to weigh heavily on those who score in this range. The answer largely depends on the law school and the competitiveness of the applicant pool.
Exploring ABA Law Schools
Data from ABA-approved law schools indicates that the majority of students accepted have an LSAT score well above 123. However, some schools have accepted students with scores in the 120s. These tend to be less competitive law schools with more flexible entry requirements.
Considering Competitive Nature & Pricing
With a score of 123, getting unconditional acceptance into a higher-ranked law school would be outrightly difficult. Almost all law schools have an LSAT cut-off that is higher than this score. In extremely rare situations, candidates can make a strong case for their admission through exceptional recommendations, a high undergraduate GPA, or demonstrable substantial work experience.
Bear in mind that lower-ranking schools, which might consider a 123 LSAT score, often don’t offer the same employment opportunities post-study as higher-ranked counterparts. Additionally, these schools often have higher tuition and less financial aid available, meaning a greater financial onus on the student.
Should You Cancel a 123 LSAT Score?
Realizing you’ve scored a 123 on your LSAT slot might compel you to consider, “Should I cancel my LSAT score?” While it might seem like an intuitive course of action, it’s worth scrutinizing the pros and cons before making a decision.
Advantages of Score Retention
Cancelling an LSAT score is permanent, with no option of reviewing it later. Keeping your LSAT score has certain advantages:
- Baseline Score: It serves as a benchmark for future improvement.
- Complete Score History: Schools get a more substantial overview of your testing history.
Considerations for Retest
While a cancellation doesn’t lead to any ‘negative points’, it becomes part of your record and might put one in a questionable light to admissions committees. They might wonder why you chose to cancel your score.
If you’re aiming for a higher ranking law school and your current and projected future application materials are strong, then a retest with strategic preparation would likely serve you better.
How Hard Is It to Score a 123 on the LSAT?
Before answering the question, “How hard is it to score 123 on the LSAT?” it’s important to understand that the LSAT is a rigorous and demanding exam.
LSAT Complexity
The LSAT is challenging due to its unique logic and argumentation elements. The level of difficulty varies from person to person, with factors like academic background, preparation, and critical thinking skills coming into play.
Scoring Context
A score of 123 does not necessarily mean someone found the test “hard”. It could mean a host of things: lack of adequate preparation, high exam-day anxiety, or misunderstanding the questions.
Tips to Improve Your 123 LSAT Score
If you’ve scored a 123 on the LSAT and aim to improve your score significantly, here are some actionable tips:
- Detailed Analysis of Performance: Pinpoint your strength and weakness areas from previous attempts.
- Preparation Material: Use practice tests from credible sources.
- Professional Help: Consider a tutor or prep course if you struggle with self-study.
- Stretch Your Preparation: Plan a realistic study schedule well ahead of your test.
Each step you take towards improvement increases your chances of achieving a more desirable LSAT score.
Understanding The LSAT Scoring Scale: From 120 to 180
The LSAT scoring range plays a vital role in understanding where a 123 stands.
LSAT Scoring Breakdown
The scoring scale, by design, is as follows:
- Low: 120-147 (Bottom one-third percentile)
- Mid-Range: 148-156 (33rd-67th percentile)
- High: 157-164 (70th-89th percentile)
- Exceptional: 165-180 (Top 10% of all test-takers)
A score below 147 is in the bottom one-third percentile.
General Outcome for Score Below 147
While a 123 is significantly below the 147 mark, that need not foreclose your law school options. Expectations and outcomes largely depend on the law school one aspires to attend.
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
With all said, remember that law school aspiration is more than a number. It’s about passion, commitment, and, at times, resilience too. Sure, numbers help, but a score below 147, or even a score of 123, does not spell an end to your law school aspirations.
Choosing Your School: Be flexible when choosing law schools. While prestige matters, other factors like location, campus culture, tuition fees and financial aid packages can influence schooling experience and career trajectory.
Cost Considerations: Keep in mind that higher-ranked schools often provide a more substantial return on investment in the long run with early career earnings, although they might come with hefty upfront costs.
Potential Outcomes: Every step you take post your LSAT score, whether it be retaking the test, preparing for applications or researching suitable schools, adds to your career in law.
Remember to stay positive and believe in your ability to succeed. Allow your 123 LSAT score to act as a stepping-stone towards achieving your law school journey. And remember, while numbers significantly speak, it isn’t the sole factor driving your law school experience and career.