146 LSAT Score – Is 146 a Good LSAT Score?

A 146 LSAT score may not hit the mark of your expectations, but don’t let it pull your spirits down.

• Impact of 146 LSAT Score on Law School Admission: Understand how this score influences your chances of entering law school.
• Improving a 146 LSAT Score: Explore methods to enhance your performance for a better LSAT score.
• Looking at the Bigger Picture – LSAT Scoring Scale: Discover the broader perspective of LSAT scores, from 120 to 180.

Don’t stop here; let’s proceed further with your journey involving a 146 LSAT score.

Is 146 a Good LSAT Score?

A 146 LSAT score is a mark that falls below the average LSAT score, which is 150. As a result, it would be considered relatively low. However, the term “good” in the context of LSAT scores is not a one-size-fits-all label. Whether or not a 146 LSAT score is deemed “good” can be highly dependent on factors such as your specific goals and law school of interest.

The Role of Your Own Aspirations

Firstly, it’s crucial to consider your personal aspirations. If you aim for the Ivy League or other top-tier law schools, a score of 146, unfortunately, will not be enough. In contrast, if you are flexible in your law school selection and willing to cast your net wider, a 146 might just be viable.

The Perspective of Law Schools

Secondly, looking at the perspective of law schools, acceptance criteria can vary. For some law schools, a 146 may be considered good enough.

• For example, according to data from the American Bar Association, applicants in recent years with LSAT scores ranging from 145-149 had an acceptance rate of 57% in the lower-ranked law schools.

However, keep in mind that while many schools have room for applicants with a 146 LSAT score, obtaining significant scholarships at these schools may be more challenging. Be sure that you are ready for whatever financial implications that may come along with choosing a lower-ranked law school.

Is 146 a Bad LSAT Score?

From another angle, a 146 LSAT score, could be seen as a challenge rather than a defeat. It’s important to remember that the very nature of the LSAT is to assess your skills in reasoning and comprehension, not to judge your potential as a practicing law professional.

The Reality

Although a 146 LSAT score is on the lower end of the spectrum, viewing it as outright bad could be a rush to judgment. It is worth noting that the LSAT is a rigorous, highly competitive exam designed to test not just knowledge, but endurance and test-taking ability. It is undoubtedly a tiring marathon of mental exertion. Even dedicated, hardworking potential law students might stumble on the exam day due to stress, fatigue, or simple bad luck.

The Future Prospects

Is a 146 LSAT score going to land you a spot at a high-ranking, competitive law school? Probably not, unless you have an exceptional GPA or impressive experiences to offset your LSAT score. The harsh truth is that scholarships could also be sparse with a score of 146. However, does a 146 completely derail your law school aspirations? Also, no. With determination, flexibility, and a plan of action, you can still carve out a successful path ahead.

146 LSAT Score Percentile

A 146 LSAT score places you squarely in the 30th percentile. This percentile score means that if you were to line up with 100 test-takers, you’d be right around number 30 counting from the top.

This percentile placement provides a somewhat clearer understanding of how the 146 score plays out in the real world.

What Does the 30th Percentile Mean?

Being in the 30th percentile essentially means that you performed better than approximately 30% of your peers who took the test at the same time. Consequently, around 70% of test-takers received a higher score. Understanding your percentile can help guide your planning for law school, from estimating your acceptance chances at various schools to anticipating potential scholarship opportunities.

However, it’s important to remember that the percentiles are fluid. They can change yearly depending on the performance of test-takers. Hence, a 146 might not always place you in the 30th percentile.

Can You Get into Law School with a 146 LSAT Score?

A score of 146, while below average, does not entirely prevent you from gaining admission to law school – and not just any law school, but those accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).

Wide Range of ABA-Accredited Law Schools

There are more than 200 ABA-accredited law schools across the United States. These schools cover a broad spectrum, with varying standards of prestige and competitiveness. Hence, not all law schools require the same LSAT score for admission. For instance, a score of 146 might hinder your chances of gaining admission into top-tier law schools.

However, there are numerous lower-tier law schools that have a median LSAT score of 146 or even lower.

• For instance, according to data from Law School Transparency, numerous ABA-accredited law schools across the U.S. have reported a median LSAT score of 145 or 146. These schools include Barry University, Southern University, and Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

While gaining unrestricted acceptance into any ABA-accredited law school with a 146 might pose a challenge, there’s certainly still a chance. Should you broaden your horizons and remain flexible in your school preference, progression on your path to becoming an attorney remains feasible.

Should You Cancel a 146 LSAT Score?

Whether or not you should cancel your LSAT score really depends on your circumstances and goals. Every situation is unique, and what might be advised for one test-taker might not necessarily apply to you.

In many cases, a 146 score is not impossible to work with. If your dream is just to become a lawyer, regardless of the school or stature, and you’d rather avoid the stress of a retest, then keeping your score might be a valid choice.

The Competitive Edge

However, if you are hoping to enter a highly competitive school, then having a 146 put a slight dent in that hope. It would be reasonable to consider retaking the test for the potential of achieving a better score. Here are a few reasons why:

• Your performance on the score felt uncharacteristic: You have consistently performed better on your practice tests, and you know you significantly underperformed.
• Feeling physically or mentally unfit on the test day: If you were sick, stressed, experienced technical difficulties (especially for the online variant), or faced unexpected, disruptive circumstances.

It’s important to understand that law schools generally consider the highest of multiple scores. While some law schools might average multiple scores, it’s not a widespread practice.

Do Your Research

Make sure to check each school’s policies regarding multiple LSAT scores before retaking the test. Reach out to the specific law schools that you are interested in and get answers directly from them. This will provide you with the most relevant and accurate information.

How Hard Is It to Score a 146 on the LSAT?

Scoring a 146 on the LSAT is a challenge that requires effort. However, with a decent amount of preparation, it could be manageable for many test-takers.

The Expectations

The LSAT is designed to test candidates’ abilities in key areas necessary for law school and the future practice of law. These encompass analytical thinking, logical reasoning, and comprehension skills. Therefore, a score like 146, which is relatively low, could indicate the need for additional learning in these particular areas.

Gap Analysis

Here are some key areas you might need to focus on for improvement if your score was 146:

• Reading Comprehension: The LSAT’s reading comprehension section tests your ability to understand, infer from, and analyze complex written texts.
• Analytical Reasoning (Logic games): The analytical reasoning section requires you to construct organized structures and make deductions based on given sets of facts, rules, or conditions.
• Logical Reasoning: This section assesses your ability to critically analyze and evaluate arguments presented in standard-language forms.

Remember that improvement is always possible with the right preparation and mindset, no matter where you start.

Tips to Improve Your 146 LSAT Score

Even if your LSAT score was significantly lower than you expected, you can take steps to significantly improve it before the next test.

Study Routine

Effectively studying for the LSAT isn’t just about spending long hours. It’s about quality, focus, and smart studying habits. Regular review, with adequate breaks, often proves more beneficial than marathon study sessions.

Practice

Doing practice tests is indispensable. It aids in understanding the nature of questions and improves time management.

• Thorough Analysis: Understand how to approach different types of questions. Analyze your mistakes and avoid them in future attempts.
• Test-Taking Conditions: Simulate actual test-taking conditions while attempting practice tests. This can help manage time and stress.

Consider hiring a tutor or joining a prep course to help guide your studies and provide you with personalized feedback.

Understanding the LSAT Scoring Scale: From 120 to 180

The LSAT scoring scale ranges from a low score of 120 to a high score of 180. This is the range within which every single LSAT score falls, and understanding it helps to put a 146 score into perspective.

• Low Range (120-147): A score ranging from 120 to 147 is considered below average. The 146 score falls within this range.
• Mid-Range (148-156): Scores in this range are typically considered average.
• High Range (157-164): LSAT scores falling within 157-164 are considered above average, often synonymous with competitive.
• Exceptional Range (165-180): A score within this range is considered stellar, reflecting strong analytical and critical reasoning skills.

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 146 LSAT score, while falling into the low range of the spectrum, is not a complete blockage to law school acceptance. It’s crucial to remember that acceptance into a law school isn’t solely based on LSAT scores. Other factors, including undergraduate GPA, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular involvement, can significantly impact admissions decisions.

For those aiming for a higher score, refining your LSAT skills should be the primary focus. Utilize the available resources effectively, seek help when necessary, and create a preparation strategy that suits your learning style and schedule. Consistent practice is the key to understanding the intricacies of the test and improving your score.

Above all, stay motivated, remain patient, and persevere. Pursuing a career in law can be a challenging journey, but your determination and resilience can carry you through to achieve your ambitions, even if your path might veer slightly from your initial plan. Embrace your LSAT score as a stepping stone in your journey and let it fuel your growth rather than hamper your aspirations.