138 LSAT Score – Is 138 a Good LSAT Score?

Grasping the significance of your 138 LSAT Score can transform your law school application strategy.

Understanding a 138 LSAT Score: Learn how your score compares on a national scale and measure your chances of gaining admission to law school.
Improving a 138 LSAT Score: Discover effective study strategies to boost your score and increase your competitiveness.
Embracing a 138 LSAT Score: Explore how this score impacts your law school journey, from acceptance chances to financial considerations.

Harness the value of your 138 LSAT Score to effectively shape your law school path.

Is 138 a Good LSAT Score?

The Law School Admission Test, or LSAT, is a critical component of the law school application process. The score derived from this test has a direct impact on a candidate’s admission to law schools across the United States and Canada.

The LSAT score is a normalized score that ranges from 120-180. Although a score of 138 isn’t extremely low, it actually falls in the low range category (120-147).

Understanding LSAT Score Averages

In the realm of LSAT scores, an average score calculated over several years hovers around 150. From this perspective, a score of 138 is below average. This does not necessarily mean it’s a ‘bad’ score, as this is heavily subjective and significantly influenced by individual aspirations and target law schools.

Take into consideration the following aspects:

Target law school: Each law school has its own specific LSAT score means that it uses during the admission process. Researching a potential school’s median LSAT score can provide you with an understanding of whether your score is competitive.
Aspirations: Your personal achievements and career expectations play an essential role in defining what a ‘good’ score is for you.
Ability to improve scores: If a retake is feasible and you genuinely believe you can improve your score, then an initial score of 138 might not be a major concern.

Ultimately, it’s vital to remember that the idea of ‘good’ is subjective and can greatly depend on your personal goals and target law school(s).

Is 138 a Bad LSAT Score?

How one views an LSAT score is highly dependent on individual circumstances. However, if we strictly adhere to what the numbers convey, then a score of 138 tends to lie in the lower third percentile. This means that roughly two-thirds of test-takers score better. From this viewpoint, a 138 LSAT score could be seen as less competitive in the eyes of top law schools.

Realizing Your Law School Aspirations with a 138 LSAT Score

High aspirations to gain admission into top-tier law schools might experience hurdles with a 138 LSAT score. But it’s essential not to lose sight of your dreams. Depending on your personal goals and ambitions, a lower LSAT score may not define the end of your law school journey. For instance:

Retaking the LSAT: If you’re not satisfied with your current score, you may consider retaking the test. However, you should only consider this if you’re prepared to invest extra time into studying.
Expanding your law school options: Broaden your law school options beyond the top-tier schools. Many law schools may not demand extremely high LSAT scores and still provide quality education.
Highlighting other accomplishments: A 138 LSAT score doesn’t erase years of academic or professional accomplishments. Remember, a law school application is multifaceted, with undergraduate GPA, recommendation letters, extracurricular activities, personal statements, and other factors playing significant roles as well.

138 LSAT Score Percentile

From an analytical perspective, the percentile ranking offers a valuable insight into an LSAT score. This ranking compares an individual’s performance to that of their peers.

Deciphering the Percentile

A 138 LSAT score generally indicates a lower third percentile. In other words, around two-thirds of test-takers achieve higher scores. This statistic helps shed light on the competitive situation for students.

When understanding this percentile, consider the following:

Score interpretation: A 138 score suggests that out of 100 test-takers, approximately 66-67 will have scored better.
Competitiveness: Depending on the score’s percentile, you can gauge the competitiveness of your score for different law schools.
Potential for Improvement: The lower percentile could also serve as motivation for improvement. If your current scenario permits you to retake the LSAT, your percentile might give you an idea of the improvement needed.

Can You Get into Law School with a 138 LSAT Score?

Though a challenging prospect, entry into law school with a 138 LSAT score isn’t impossible. However, this score typically calls for a high level of flexibility about attending institutions and an inclination to pay full price for law school.

A Path with a 138 LSAT Score

Even with these compromises, finding an American Bar Association (ABA)-accredited law school that readily accepts a 138 LSAT score without restrictions may be a challenge. However, not all hope is lost:

Broadening school options: Expanding your list of potential law schools may increase the probability of finding ABA-accredited schools that accept applicants with a 138 LSAT score.
Focused preparation on the rest of the application: Strengthening other aspects of your applications, like recommendation letters and personal statements, may help balance out the lower LSAT score.
Exploring financial scholarships: Even if a 138 LSAT score might not qualify you for academic scholarships, other forms of financial aid or scholarships might still be accessible.

Overall, a 138 score doesn’t necessarily close the gates of law school. But it does necessitate strategic planning and a greater emphasis on pandering to your strengths.

Should You Cancel a 138 LSAT Score?

Encountering the challenge of a 138 LSAT score, cancellation might be something you’re contemplating. This decision, though, is highly dependent on your individual circumstances and future law school plans.

Making the Decision to Cancel

Canceling your LSAT score is a serious step, one that involves careful deliberation. Assessment of the prospective benefits and drawbacks is crucial:

Law school aspirations: Consider the varying admissions criteria of prospective law schools. Some may be more open to lower LSAT scores, particularly if the remaining application is strong.
Retake potential: Do you think you could vastly improve your score with more study time? Also, consider potential financial, time, and emotional costs of retaking the exam.
Openness to changing law schools: If you’re willing to be flexible about where you attend law school, a score of 138 might not constitute a deal-breaker.
Financial concerns: Bearing the financial burden of full-price tuition at law school is a crucial concern. Many students consider scoring high on the LSAT to potentially secure scholarships.

So, while a 138 might seem like tough luck, the decision to cancel depends largely on individual circumstances, aspirations, and capabilities.

How Hard Is It to Score a 138 on the LSAT?

While a score of 138 on the LSAT isn’t the lowest achievable, it suggests a need to refine your preparation strategy.

Navigating the LSAT

Getting to grips with the exam’s difficulty depends on your understanding of the LSAT format and intensive study routines.

LSAT format: Familiarity with the LSAT format and types of questions is essential. Reviewing previous exams can develop an understanding of test patterns and common pitfalls.
Effective strategies: Recognize problem areas and introduce more targeted strategies. Mock tests and time-based question practice can significantly boost overall performance.
Resources: Use preparatory guides or puzzles, especially for the analytical reasoning section (often referred to as logic games).

In essence, the LSAT is challenging, but a strategic approach can help you overcome common hurdles that might lead to a lower score.

Tips to Improve Your 138 LSAT Score

Achieving substantial progress from a score below 150, such as 138, revolves around strategic and intensive study. Here are some tips to optimize your LSAT journey:

Starting from a Current Score of 138

Reassess studying tactics: Successful improvement requires a shift in studying strategies. Evaluate your previous methods – what worked, what didn’t, and why.
Identify work areas: Pinpoint the most challenging sections of the test. Prioritize working on improving these areas.
Time management: Practice managing your test time more effectively. Many test takers struggle due to time constraints.
Test Prep Assistance: You may want to consider seeking professional help, such as hiring a tutor or enrolling in an LSAT prep course.

With determination and careful planning, it’s possible to significantly boost your 138 LSAT score.

Understanding the LSAT Scoring Scale: From 120 to 180

A key part of your LSAT journey is fine-tuning your understanding of the LSAT scoring scale. A 138 score falls within the low range of this scale, which runs from 120 to 180.

How the LSAT Scoring Scale Works

Raw scores: Start by computing a raw score, which is simply the number of questions answered correctly.
Scaled scores: The raw score is then converted into a scaled score within the 120-180 range. This process accounts for differences in difficulty between test versions.
Score bands: Each scaled score is accompanied by a score band, indicating the score’s precision. It provides a range within which the candidate’s actual ability likely lies.

Understanding how your score compares to national averages and percentile rankings can give you a deeper insight into your study needs and competitiveness level.

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

As substantial as it may seem, scoring a 138 on the LSAT isn’t the end of your law school journey.

Viewing Your Score in Perspective

Scoring a 138 is merely one indicator among many others that can:

Clarify focus points for preparation: What sections do you need to work on? What study methods are most effective for you? These are key questions that your score can help answer.
Understand competitive admissions: It can underscore the reality of the competitive admissions process, shedding light on where you stand and how much more needs to be done.
Shape future goals: Your LSAT score, combined with personal ambitions and the realities of law school admissions, can shape future law school and career goals.

Endeavor to remember that while your LSAT score is important, strategic planning and dedication constitute a significant part of your law school journey. A score of 138 may signal room for improvement, but it also signals the start of your exciting venture into the world of law. Embrace it, learn from it, and let it guide your path to law school.

“138 LSAT Score: Discover what it means, how it impacts law school admission, and tips to improve it.”