Are you scratching your head over a 135 LSAT Score? Let’s unpack what this means.
- Understanding a 135 LSAT Score: We’ll help you comprehend where this score stands in the grand scale of LSAT scores.
- Implications of a 135 LSAT Score: We take you through how this LSAT score can impact your law school application.
- Strategies to Improve a 135 LSAT Score: We offer tips and strategies to up your LSAT scores.
Own your 135 LSAT score and learn to navigate your future law school journey effectively.
- Is 135 a Good LSAT Score?
- Is 135 a Bad LSAT Score?
- 135 LSAT Score Percentile
- Can You Get into Law School with a 135 LSAT Score?
- Should You Cancel a 135 LSAT Score?
- How Hard Is It to Score a 135 on the LSAT?
- Tips to Improve Your 135 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 135 a Good LSAT Score?
When it comes to the LSAT, scores can range anywhere from 120 to 180. The average score tends to fall around 150. So naturally the question arises: Is a score of 135 a good LSAT score? The answer, unfortunately, is largely dependent on the specific admission requirements of the law schools you are targeting.
Understanding a “Good” Score
A “good” score on the LSAT is subject to many varying factors. While a 180, the highest score possible, would certainly be considered an excellent score, most test-takers don’t need such high scores to achieve their law school aspirations.
The determining factors include:
- The caliber of law school you’re aiming for: Different law schools have different average LSAT scores for admitted students. Generally, top-tier law schools will require higher LSAT scores.
- Your own personal goals: Some aspiring law students might be aiming for scholarships, higher-ranking schools, or specific programs that require stronger LSAT performance.
- Your overall law school application: The LSAT is only one component of your law school application. Good scores may complement a strong application or compensate for weaknesses in other areas.
With these variables in place, it’s evident that a “good” score varies greatly from person to person. However, compared to the average score of around 150, a score of 135 is generally not considered favorable, especially when applying to top-tier law schools.
Is 135 a Bad LSAT Score?
On the other end of the spectrum, it’s important to understand that while a score of 135 may not be considered good, it’s not necessarily the end of the road for your law school dreams. It falls below the required minimum for numerous law schools, especially those accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Understanding a “Bad” LSAT Score
While each law school’s required minimum may vary, it’s worth mentioning that the LSAT percentile ranks also play a significant part in determining whether a score is considered poor or acceptable. The percentile rank essentially indicates the percentage of test-takers who scored lower than you – so the higher the percentile rank, the better you did compared to other test-takers.
As an example, if a score of 160 places you in the 80th percentile, that means you scored equal to or better than 80% of test-takers. A score of 135, by contrast, would likely place you in a lower percentile, indicative of a lower performance on the test.
Again, low does not necessarily mean bad. Some law schools do consider lower LSAT scores, placing more emphasis on other crucial elements that demonstrate the potential for success in law school, such as grade point average (GPA), personal statement, letter of recommendation, and work or internship experience.
135 LSAT Score Percentile
So where does a score of 135 put you in the LSAT percentile ranks? Well, a 135 LSAT score places you in the low range, specifically in the bottom third percentile. This means that approximately 66% of test-takers scored higher than you.
Impact of LSAT Percentiles
The LSAT percentiles are important as they give you an indication of how you performed relative to other aspirants. They offer a comparative measurement that law schools may consider when looking at your application. However, it’s important to bear in mind that LSAT scores and percentiles are just one of several factors contributing to a successful application.
Can You Get into Law School with a 135 LSAT Score?
The reality is, it is possible to get into some law schools with a 135 LSAT score. However, the key is understanding that your choices may be somewhat limited.
Admissions & LSAT Scores
Traditionally, many law schools require LSAT scores to be at least within the 50th percentile, if not higher. Nonetheless, some schools can be more forgiving when it comes to LSAT scores, especially if you can compensate in other areas of your application.
Keep in mind that the lower-ranked or unranked schools that might accept a 135 score usually require students to pay in full. Law school is expensive, even without considering living expenses or the interest on student loans. Consequently, getting admitted to such schools often means paying a full price for law tuition.
In conclusion, achieving a law school placement with a 135 LSAT score is indeed feasible, though it may involve strategic planning and a sound understanding of the admission requirements of the schools that interest you. The journey ahead isn’t without its challenges, but rest assured that a low LSAT score isn’t an impenetrable barrier to your law school aspirations.
Should You Cancel a 135 LSAT Score?
When faced with a less than ideal LSAT score, there can be a wave of anxiety, self-doubt, and the burning question: should you cancel a 135 LSAT score? Choosing whether to cancel the score or not heavily depends on each individual’s circumstances and their law school aspirations.
Determining When to Cancel an LSAT Score
Cancellation might be a viable option if you are confident that the result doesn’t reflect your true capability due to a poor test day or a specific mishap that impacted your performance. However, it’s essential to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of such an action.
Factors to consider include:
- Performance expectation versus reality: Before canceling your score, analyze whether you had realistic expectations about your performance. Is there a significant gap between your practice test scores and your actual score?
- Impact on future applications: Having a cancelled score on your record may not hold negative implications in future applications — law schools do not typically penalize applicants for cancelled scores. Yet, if you cancel a score and then don’t see improvement in future attempts, it may be a red flag for law schools.
From these perspectives, considering the 135 LSAT score’s position in the low score range and the plausible implications on law school admission opportunities, retaking the test might appear to be an attractive option.
Choosing to Retake the LSAT
Deciding to retake the LSAT should involve careful reflection. Consider your test preparation time, ability to address weaknesses, and how well you handle standardized tests. Retaking the test for a higher score is a feasible course of action if you believe you can achieve significant improvement.
How Hard Is It to Score a 135 on the LSAT?
Scoring a 135 on the LSAT does not usually require mastery of the most difficult LSAT questions. However, it does necessitate an understanding of the test’s basic elements.
Basic LSAT Proficiency Needed
To achieve this score, students are likely to be familiar with, and skilled in, the following areas:
- Logical reasoning: Ability to recognize assumptions, draw inferences, and understand the general structure of an argument.
- Analytical reasoning: Ability to grasp basic conditional logic and diagram simple logic games.
- Reading Comprehension: Proficiency in identifying a passage’s main idea, author’s tone, and understanding the content’s broad strokes.
Although a 135 LSAT score represents a basic proficiency level, students should not be discouraged. With continued study, dedication, and strategic test preparation, significant score improvement is possible.
Tips to Improve Your 135 LSAT Score
If you are determined to increase your LSAT score, there are several strategies and tactics that can aid you along this journey.
Tailored Test Preparation Strategies
- Identify your areas of weakness: Focus your study time and attention on the sections and question types that give you the most difficulty.
- Practice with real LSAT questions: LSAC publishes official PrepTests, which consist of real LSATs from previous administrations. These are the most effective study materials.
- Adopt test-taking techniques: Implement strategic techniques such as time management and elimination of wrong choices.
- Prep courses or tutoring: Consider investing in an LSAT prep course or hiring a tutor if you need structured study plans or personalized feedback.
It’s essential to be patient and persistent. Significant improvement can take time, but with the correct strategies and a positive mindset, you can increase your LSAT score.
Understanding the LSAT Scoring Scale: From 120 to 180
The LSAT scores are measured on a scale from 120 to 180, with an average score of around 150. This score range reflects the precise and intricate nature of the LSAT test.
Weighing Your Score Against the LSAT Scale
A 135 LSAT score places you somewhat below the average, falling into the ‘low’ range. This suggests that a significant number of test-takers have achieved a higher score. However, note that the test scoring takes into account the difficulty level of each test version, hence ensuring a score’s fairness and validity.
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
A journey into law school may indeed be arduous, but stumbling blocks, like a 135 LSAT score, should not discourage you. Remember, it isn’t the be-all and end-all.
Applying strategic planning about which law schools to target, considering other significant parts of your application like GPAs and essays, and focusing on enhancing your LSAT score — if possible — are all factors that could lead you down a successful law school path. Remember, law schools are looking for well-rounded candidates, not just high scorers.
In the end, despite its challenges, a 135 LSAT score can still lead to a rewarding law school journey, preparing you for a fulfilling career in law. Embrace your LSAT score, leverage your strengths, and move forward with confidence and determination. You’ve got this!