137 LSAT Score – Is 137 a Good LSAT Score?

Wondering what a 137 LSAT Score means for your law school journey?

• Understanding a 137 LSAT Score: This score falls in the bottom third percentile of LSAT test takers, indicating a below-average score.
• Law School Acceptance: Gaining acceptance to law schools with a 137 LSAT Score can be challenging but not entirely impossible given your overall application strength.
• Improving a 137 LSAT Score: Strategize an effective study plan, focusing on your weaknesses, and practice extensively to enhance this score.

A 137 LSAT Score is a starting point and knowing how to navigate from here can shape your law school pathway.

Is 137 a Bad LSAT Score?

Given that the average LSAT score is around 150, a score of 137 is considered below the typical benchmark. This score falls into the bottom third percentile, which means only less than 33% of test takers achieve this score or less. To put things into perspective, an aspirant scoring higher than 150 is already performing better than 50% of other test takers.

Exploring the Impact of a 137 LSAT Score

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a test that measures skills that are vital for success in law school, including reading comprehension, evaluating arguments, critical thinking, and logical reasoning. Your performance on this test is often considered a reliable predictor for your first-year grades in law school.

Scoring 137 on the LSAT is unfortunately, below average. Generally, those scoring in the mid-140s or above manage to secure admission in law schools, given they exhibit flexibility in selecting the school and are ready to bear the full tuition fees.

• Scoring above the mid-140s: With a score in this range, usually met by average test-takers, your options for law schools broaden significantly. You’ll have more leverage and won’t necessarily need to pay the full tuition.
• Scoring in the range of 137: A score below the mid-140s means there are more hurdles in ensuring admission. With increasing competitiveness in law schools applications, this score does make the admission process more challenging.

However, it’s important to remember that the LSAT score isn’t the only factor for law school admissions. Factors such as your undergraduate GPA, personal statement, and letters of recommendation can also play a critical role in the evaluation.

137 LSAT Score Percentile

Now that we know a 137 LSAT score is below average, let’s examine where it places on the percentile ranking. A score of 137 puts you in the bottom third percentile.

Analyzing the Third Percentile

• What it signifies: Falling in the bottom third percentile means that approximately 67% of test-takers performed better than you on the LSAT. In other words, if you took the test along with 100 other candidates, 67 of them likely scored higher than you.
• Competitive landscape: Realistically speaking, this means you’re likely to face stiff competition from fellow applicants in law schools accepting scores in this range.

It is important to reiterate that while it’s useful to understand what your score means in relative terms to other test takers, it’s also vital to bear in mind that each law school has its own LSAT score requirements, which can depend on many factors.

Can You Get into Law School with a 137 LSAT Score?

Securing admission to law school with a 137 LSAT score can indeed prove difficult, but it’s not entirely impossible. However, the options for law school acceptance with this score can become considerably limited, particularly in ABA-accredited schools in the US.

The Reality of Admissions with a 137 Score

• Limited acceptance: At this score range, unrestricted acceptance at higher-ranking schools is rare.
• Tuition affordability: In many cases, students may be expected to pay full tuition at law schools that accept scores in this range.

Successfully gaining admission to a law school with a score of 137 may require a combination of factors, such as a strong undergraduate GPA and excellent letters of recommendation.

Should You Cancel a 137 LSAT Score?

Whether to cancel an LSAT score of 137 is a decision that depends on a variety of factors, including the law schools you wish to apply to, and your belief in your ability to significantly improve your score with a retake.

Reevaluating Your 137 LSAT Score

• Reassess your target schools: Schools have different LSAT score requirements. If your score of 137 is not meeting the minimum requirements of your desired law schools, it might be worthwhile to reconsider your choices.
• Consider a retake: If you think you could significantly improve your score with more preparation and study, it may be beneficial to retake the test.

Determining whether to cancel an LSAT score and retake the test is a highly personal decision and should reflect an understanding of your unique situation, your strengths, and your areas for improvement.

How Hard is It to Score a 137 on the LSAT?

Achieving a score of 137 on the LSAT places a test taker in the bottom third percentile, indicating that it’s a relatively low score. Needless to say, the LSAT isn’t designed to be an easy test. It’s a rigorous examination of the suitability of potential students for challenging law school curriculums. Scoring in this range suggests difficulties in mastering the areas tested.

Understanding the LSAT Challenge

While the LSAT is made to probe the intellectual capabilities of aspiring law students, its primary focus lies on three areas:

• Reading Comprehension: This section measures the ability to understand complex passages and discern vital information quickly.
• Analytical Reasoning: Also often referred to as “logic games,” this area analyzes your capacity to understand relationships and drive logical conclusions.
• Logical Reasoning: This tests your ability to dissect arguments and evaluate decisions critically.

Scoring 137 implies a challenge in these areas, which are essential competencies for law studies and practice. The score doesn’t necessarily defame your capabilities but signals the areas you need to improve if you’re serious about law school.

Tips to Improve Your 137 LSAT Score

Boosting your LSAT score from 137 requires well-thought-out tactics. Reviewing and identifying gaps in your test preparation, honing weak areas, and enhancing problem-solving speed can result in significant improvements.

Comprehensive Test Prep Methods

• Understanding the Test Structure: A clear understanding of the LSAT’s structure is the first step. Awareness about the various sections and question types can pave the way for better strategizing.
• Pinpointing Weak Spots: Analyzing your score breakdown can help identify the areas you need to work on. Focusing on the sections where you scored the least can potentially boost your overall score.
• Practice Tests and Reviews: Taking regular timed practice tests and critically reviewing your answers not only aids in improving speed but also inculcating a pattern of thinking that this exam demands.
• Utilizing Prep Resources: LSAT prep books and online resources, study groups, and, if possible, enrolling in an LSAT prep course can help significantly. Extensive practice in areas you find most challenging is key.

Understanding the LSAT Scoring Scale: From 120 to 180

The LSAT scoring scale operates from 120 to 180. The lowest possible score is 120, while 180 is the highest achievable score. The median score, or the middle point where half the test takers score less and half score more, lingers around 150. Thus, an LSAT score of 137 falls below the median and lands in the bottom third percentile.

Key LSAT Score Facts

• Median Score: The midpoint score of 150 means 50% of test takers have scores less than or equal to 150. If you score 150, you perform better than half the test takers.
• Best Score: Achieving the best score of 180 is extraordinary and lands you on the 99.9th percentile.
• A Score of 137: Scoring 137 puts you in the bottom third percentile, which indicates below-average performance compared to other test takers.

While understanding where your score stands is important, it’s equally crucial to use this information wisely to plan your next steps, whether that’s retaking the LSAT or applying with your current score to law schools that accept it.

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

While a 137 LSAT score might initially seem discouraging, remember that it represents just one factor in your law school application. The LSAT score, undoubtedly, is crucial, but it’s the combination of various elements that make a compelling law school application.

Crafting a Holistic Application

• Emphasizing Other Strengths: Your personal statement, letters of recommendation, and especially undergraduate GPA play significant roles in law school admission decisions. Emphasize these elements in your application.
• Strategize Smartly: If law school is your ambition, it’s important to strategize ahead. This could involve intensely preparing to retake the LSAT and aiming for a higher score, or researching and applying to schools that accept lower LSAT scores.
• Persistence is Key: There’s more to law school and the practice of law than just your LSAT score. Remain persistent and committed to pursuing your law career goals.

Remember, your LSAT score does not define you. It’s a measure of your competencies at a given time and is not a reflection of your future potential. Approach your LSAT score as a stepping stone on your journey to law school and ultimately, your successful legal career.