173 LSAT Score – Is 173 a Good LSAT Score?

Grasping the significance of the exceptional 173 LSAT Score can be key to leveraging it effectively for law school admissions.

• Understanding Your Score: Knowing how scores are distributed gives a clearer picture of your achievement. A 173 LSAT Score** is well above average and lands in distinctively high percentiles.
• Improving Your Score: Although already impressive, learn strategies to push your score even higher, further increasing your competitiveness.
• Planning Your Law School Journey: With a strong 173 LSAT score**, you are well-positioned to gain entry into some of the nation’s top law schools.

Your 173 LSAT Score is a stepping-stone to making your dreams of law school a reality.

Is 173 a Good LSAT Score?

When preparing for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), one question on every test taker’s mind is “what is a good LSAT score?”. To answer this, you need to understand the LSAT scoring range, which goes from 120 to 180.

Unlike other standardized tests, the LSAT does not grade on a curve. This means that your score is not relative to other test takers but solely dependent on your performance. A score of 173 falls within the exceptional category, putting you in the top 10%** of all test takers.

Exceptional Scoring Indicators

Obtaining such a high score indicates several key skillsets which are important for succeeding in law school and the practice of law. These include:

• Analytical reasoning: Your ability to deduce implications from a set of given facts, which is crucial for legal argumentation.
• Logical reasoning: Analyzing, evaluating, and completing arguments in everyday language, which are significant skills in the practice of law.
• Reading comprehension: Understanding dense, complex textual materials similar to legal documents or cases.

These competencies showcased by a 173 score make you a desirable candidate for law schools, as they reflect the abilities necessary for legal study and practice.

Is 173 a Bad LSAT Score?

Considering the LSAT score range, a score of 173 is far from a ‘bad’ score. In fact, it is highly regarded and places you among the top performing test takers. Such a score places you in a position of advantage during the law school admission process.

Comparing Score Expectations

While all law schools in the U.S. and Canada accept LSAT scores, their requirements may vary. Most average to high-ranking law schools consider an LSAT score above 150 to be decent. However, top-tier law schools like Harvard Law or Yale Law School look for exceptional scores, generally above 170. Therefore, a score of 173 not only meets but exceeds the expectations of these top law schools.

Even in situations where certain top-tier law schools are looking for somewhat higher scores, keep in mind these are the exceptions rather than the rule. An LSAT score of 173 still provides you with a significant edge in your law school applications.

173 LSAT Score Percentile

An LSAT score of 173, according to the official scoring measures, falls in the exceptional category. This score places a candidate in approximately the 99th percentile of test takers, which is a hugely beneficial position for law school applications.

Understanding Percentiles

Percentiles offer a way to compare your score with others. A score in the 99th percentile means you have performed better than 99% of test takers. In practical terms, if 100,000 people took the test, a score in the 99th percentile would mean that you scored higher than 99,000 of them.

This high percentile with a score of 173 significantly enhances your chances of securing a seat in competitive law schools, thereby setting your legal journey on a promising path.

Can You Get into Law School with a 173 LSAT Score?

The answer is a definite yes. A 173 LSAT score makes you a strong candidate for numerous top-tier law schools. But successful admission is not solely dependent on your LSAT score.

Considering the Full Application

While the LSAT score is an influential component in the admission process, law schools also consider other elements such as your GPA, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and potentially relevant work experience. However, a high LSAT score, like 173, can give significant weight to your application.

Even applicants with a lower GPA might find themselves in a favorable position with a high LSAT score. This does not undermine the importance of maintaining a strong academic record, but points out the substantial influence of an exceptional LSAT score.

Where a great deal of competition exists, the 173 LSAT score coupled with other favorable factors in your application increases your chances of being selected. Your high percentile rank typically validates your aptitude for analytical reasoning and comprehension skills, which are vital in legal studies and highly sought after by reputable law schools.

Having such a solid score opens up several opportunities and choices, allowing you to select from some of the best law schools to further your legal education. This underscores the significant advantage a 173 LSAT score brings to your law school journey.

Should You Cancel a 173 LSAT Score?

The LSAT, due to its crucial role in the law school admission process, can cause a significant degree of stress and anxiety. As a result, candidates often second guess their performance and contemplate whether to cancel their score.

When it comes to a score of 173, students generally should resist the instinct to cancel. This score is already within the range of top-tier law schools. Making the decision to retake the test in order to achieve a higher score offers minimal benefits, and conversely, presents several risks.

The Risk of Retaking

While it’s natural to strive for perfection, it’s imperative to understand that a score of 173 is already exceptional. The attempt to achieve a perfect score, or even a slightly higher score, might not provide substantial advantages in terms of admission.

On the flip side, the risk of scoring lower in a retake attempt is a real possibility. A lower score could potentially hurt an applicant’s prospects and come off as inconsistent during the application review.

Cancelling a 173 LSAT score would generally mean foregoing a significant advantage in your law school admission process. It is usually advisable to embrace this score and focus your efforts on other aspects of your application.

How Hard Is It to Score a 173 on the LSAT?

Achieving a 173 on the LSAT is undoubtedly a challenging feat. The LSAT is designed to test skills necessary for success in law school, including critical reading, logical reasoning, and analytical thinking.

The Hard Work and Preparation Required

Getting a high score requires not just knowledge, but also the ability to apply that knowledge under test conditions. This is where substantial preparation comes into play. It involves rigorous practice, familiarity with the test format, time management, and maintaining a calm disposition during the test.

It’s important to remember that the high percentile associated with a 173 highlights how few test-takers achieve such a score. Therefore, reaching this score indicates not only academic prowess but also dedication, hard work, and strategic preparation.

Tips to Improve Your 173 LSAT Score

While a score of 173 already puts you amongst the top-performing candidates, some might be looking to further improve their LSAT score. Advancing on an already high score can be demanding but is possible with the right strategy.

Focused Approach and Consistent Practice

The following pointers can help improve your score:

• Understand the Test Structure: Enhance your understanding of the different sections of the LSAT and know what to expect. This will help you anticipate the type of questions that could come up during the test.
• Timed Practice Tests: Regularly taking full-length, timed practice exams will improve your timing and accuracy. It will also help habituate you to the LSAT testing conditions.
• Analyze Mistakes: Rather than focusing solely on right answers, spend time reviewing your mistakes. Dissecting why an answer was wrong can provide valuable insights and helps avoid repeating errors.
• Consistent Study Schedule: Consistency is crucial for LSAT preparation. Rather than long hours of study in a single sitting, shorter, consistent study periods can be more effective and lead to a better understanding of the concepts.

Understanding the LSAT Scoring Scale: From 120 to 180

The LSAT uses a scaled scoring method, which ranges from 120 to 180. A score of 150 is more or less the mean, or average, score. Anything above the mean is generally considered good, with scores from 165 to 180 considered as high and exceptional scores, placing test-takers in the top 10% to 1%.

Your Scale Position

A score of 173 firmly places you in the exceptional zone, far above mid-range scores (148-156), which represent the 33rd to 67th percentile of test-takers. To achieve such a score means you have surpassed a significant majority of other LSAT participants, thus demonstrating your readiness for rigorous academic work at a law school.

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

An LSAT score, especially one as high as 173, plays a crucial role in planning your law school journey. This score is more than just a number; it’s a reflection of your dedication, hard-work, and critical thinking abilities – qualities law schools greatly value.

Considering the Whole Picture

While a high LSAT score is certainly advantageous, remember that it is just one piece of the law school application puzzle. Your academic record, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and relevant work or extracurricular experience, all play a role in creating a strong application.

However, a LSAT score of 173 provides an extra buffer, helping offset weaker areas in your application and making the journey to law school admission less daunting.

In conclusion, rather than viewing your LSAT score in isolation, look at it as an essential component of your overall application. From the time you start studying for the test until you submit your applications, your LSAT score plays a key role in shaping your law school journey. Ultimately, a score of 173 confirms your potential for success in law school and a career in law. Embrace it, and let it fuel your determination to excel further.