133 LSAT Score – Is 133 a Good LSAT Score?

A 133 LSAT Score can significantly impact your law school aspirations.

• Impact on Admissions: A 133 LSAT score, while above the minimum score of 120, is considered challenging for securing admission into leading law schools.
• Percentile Placement: With a 133 LSAT score, you are placed in the bottom third percentile, falling short of the average score which is around 150.
• Improving your Score: Despite a 133 LSAT score, there are multiple strategies you can employ to improve and reach your target score.

Understanding your 133 LSAT score is the first step towards strategizing your law school application.

Is 133 a Good LSAT Score?

A 133 LSAT score is notably lower than the average LSAT score, which hovers around 150. While this fact may not necessarily translate into it being a ‘bad’ score, it’s important to analyze it in the context of its potential impact on your journey into law school. When weighing the implications of your LSAT score, factors like the particular law schools you’re aiming for and your GPA come into play.

Understanding the LSAT Scoring Range

The LSAT scoring range extends from 120 (minimum) to 180 (maximum). A score of 133 places you above the minimum threshold by a decent margin, which indicates some mastery of the skills the test aims to measure. However:

• If we consider the national average: A score of 133 lags behind the average of 150, implying substantial room for improvement.
• In terms of percentile ranking: With this score, you may fall in the bottom third percentile of all test takers. This percentile ranking is an essential indicator of your performance relative to your peers.

School Preferences and 133 LSAT Score

However, a ‘good’ LSAT score doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it depends on the law schools you’re aiming for and your other credentials, such as GPA and extracurricular activities.

• Target law schools: If you could get a clear sense of the median LSAT scores for admitted students at your target schools, it will shed light on where a score of 133 stands.
• Your GPA: A strong GPA could help balance a lower LSAT score to an extent.
• Soft factors: Personal statements, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities may also influence your chances of admission.

Is 133 a Bad LSAT Score?

The harsh reality of law school admissions prompts us to ask: is a 133 LSAT score a bad score? What is important to understand is that while fundamentally challenging, it’s not an absolute impossibility.

The LSAT Score and its Impact: Admissions Perspective

Given the competitive nature of law school admissions, it’s impossible to ignore that a 133 LSAT score could be challenging. Candidates applying to American Bar Association (ABA) law schools generally face fierce competition—and a score in the 130s, like a 133, can be considered limiting.

• LSAT scores and admission rates: Law schools tend to take scores seriously, making higher scores progressively beneficial.
• ABA-accredited law schools: For these schools, LSAT scores are typically given considerable weight in the admission process due to their predictability for first-year law school success.

However, it’s pertinent to note that scores are just a part of your application, albeit a significant one.

Historical Trends and Admission Decisions

Historical patterns also indicate that scores around 133 tend to somewhat limit probabilities of admissions:

• High law school rankings: Highly ranked law schools often have high median LSAT scores, typically way above 133.
• Overall applications: In recent years, the number of law school applications has increased, making the admission environment even more competitive.

133 LSAT Score Percentile

When it comes to LSAT scores, comparing yourself to other test takers in terms of percentiles can provide perspective. To understand this, we’ll examine the broader LSAT score ranges and their percentiles.

LSAT Score Ranges

If we classify the LSAT score ranges, we have the following brackets:

• Low (120-147)
• Mid (148-156)
• High (157-164)
• Exceptional (165-180)

A score of 133 falls within the low range, specifically in the lower portion of this bracket.

Relative Performance: Percentile Rankings

This score places you in the bottom third percentile, which means that about two-thirds of test-takers outscored you. Of course, the percentile ranking in itself is not an absolute determinant of your potential or the quality of lawyer you can become, but law schools rely heavily on these numbers to make admissions decisions.

However, please note that these percentiles can vary slightly each year, as they’re dependent on the scores of all the LSAT test-takers for that year.

Can You Get into Law School with a 133 LSAT Score?

The significant role an LSAT score plays in law school admissions does pose the question: can you really get into law school with a 133 LSAT score? What is important to understand is that while fundamentally challenging, it’s not an absolute impossibility.

Acceptance into ABA-Accredited Law Schools

Unrestricted acceptance at an ABA-accredited law school with a 133 LSAT score could be challenging. Reasons for this include:

• Trends in admission: Most law schools prefer higher scores. An LSAT score of 133 might limit options and make acceptance a challenge.
• Impact on financial aid: Lower scores don’t typically lead to financial aid. This could mean significant costs if one does gain admission.

Strategies to Increase Admissions Chances

An increase in LSAT score or a high GPA might be required to sway the odds in your favor. If you already have a score of 133, consider adopting these strategies:

• LSAT retake: If you can improve your score with a retake, this could greatly enhance your chances. The higher the better, but even a few points can make a significant difference.
• Strong GPA: A strong GPA can help offset the impact of a lower LSAT score.
• Compelling application: School selection, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular achievements can enhance your overall application, offsetting a lower LSAT score.

Remember, while your LSAT score may not be at the level you want, this is just a part of the overall application. Law schools look at several other factors to determine who they admit. Continue to keep an open mind and stay committed to your law school journey.

Should You Cancel a 133 LSAT Score?

If you’ve taken the LSAT and received a score of 133, you may be faced with the question of whether to cancel this score. While the LSAT gives you the option to cancel, deciding to do so should hinge on several factors:

Feasibility of Improvement

• Consider your test-day experience: Was there something significant that negatively influenced your performance? Were there extenuating circumstances—illness, anxiety, or disruptions—that make you believe you did not perform to your potential?
• Evaluate your preparation: Did you prepare sufficiently and systematically? Were your practice test scores usually higher than 133? If both these aspects suggest a disadvantage, a retake may be a sensible option.

Weighing the Consequences of Cancelation

Before opting for cancellation, do remember:

• A cancelation shows on your record: Law schools will be aware that you canceled the score, though they can’t see the canceled score.
• Need for a score: Most importantly, if canceling leaves you without any valid score to report, it can delay your application process.

In the end, it’s a personal decision, but it’s advisable to consider all angles before making the choice.

How Hard is it to Score a 133 on the LSAT?

While a score of 133 may not be the high achievement you were aiming for in the LSAT, it does hold its own unique challenges requiring effort to achieve. Looking at it within the LSAT scoring context:

Relative Ease Vs High Scores

Compared to achieving scores in the high (157-164) and exceptional (165-180) bands, a 133 may seem relatively easier but still requires adequate preparation.

Factors Influencing LSAT Performance

Effort required for a score can depend on:

• Preparation time: More preparation could make scoring higher easier, assuming that the test technique and fundamentals are well-practiced.
• Test-taking skills: Aptitude for high-stakes, timed tests play a role.
• Understanding the LSAT: Grasping the logic-based assessments of the LSAT can challenge some.

Tips to Improve Your 133 LSAT Score

If your LSAT score is 133 and you’re aiming for a higher mark, consider these strategies:

Targeted Preparation

• Understand LSAT Patterns: Familiarize yourself with the test’s structure and types of questions you’ll face.
• Identify weaknesses: Focus on areas that gave you the most trouble.

Time Management

• Plan a study schedule: Make time to study consistently.
• Practice full-length tests: It helps with improving speed while maintaining accuracy.

Use the Right Resources

• LSAT Practice Tests: Official LSAT preparatory tools are a beneficial resource.
• Prep courses or tutoring: A guided approach can prove particularly beneficial for some.

Consider a Retake

• Prepare well for a retake: If a retake is your preferred route, make sure you’re better prepared the next time. Remember, taking the LSAT multiple times without improvement is not a good look.

Understanding the LSAT Scoring Scale: From 120 to 180

The LSAT uses a scale from 120 to 180 to assess your logical reasoning, analytical capabilities, and comprehension skills. Understanding this scoring range has its own significance:

Where does 133 Fall in the Range?

A 133 score is classified in the low LSAT score range (120-147), positioning it above the minimum but well below the average and median marks.

What the Scoring Scale Signifies

A higher score in this range signifies a higher aptitude in skills the test aims to measure:

• 120-147 (Low): Lower percentile ranking with limited law school options.
• 148-156 (Mid): Average scores that offer more law school options.
• 157-164 (High): Above-average scores that enhance the potential of getting admitted into a competitive law school.
• 165-180 (Exceptional): Outstanding scores that lead to a strong applicant profile.

Ideally, a score as high as possible within this range is desirable, but a realistic and strategic approach can still make a score of 133 workable.

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

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

Your LSAT score is one piece of the law school admissions puzzle. If 133 is your score, the focus should be on planning your law school journey strategically:

Emphasizing Other Aspects of the Application

Alongside LSAT scores, GPA, personal statements, and extracurricular activities contribute to the overall application:

• GPA: A strong GPA can help balance a lower LSAT. It reflects your consistency and academic prowess.
• Personal Statement and letters of Recommendation: These offer a glimpse into your personality, resilience, and suitability for the legal profession, introducing elements beyond numbers.
• Extracurricular activities: Help round out your profile, offering a diversity of experiences.

Navigating through a Low LSAT Score

A 133 LSAT score is indeed low, but it is not definitively fatal to your aspirations. The goal should be to bring the best version of your candidacy to the forefront. Remember:

• Widen your school search: Consider a broader range of law schools.
• Planning: Spend the time to tailor compelling application narratives, conducting networking, and exploring alternative financing options.

Regardless of a 133 LSAT score, your law school journey and eventual career are about more than just your ability to perform on one test. It’s a reflection of your tenacity, passion, and dedication, so keep going!