When you decide to take the LSAT and start looking at law schools, you inevitably run into the score requirements for admission. From there, you can develop an idea of what you want, and likely need, to get on the LSAT in order to get into the school of your dreams. After taking a few practice tests, you might start asking yourself the question. Is it possible to get a 165? A 170? A 175? This question makes a regular appearance in our classrooms, in private conversations with tutoring students, and on the LSAT Forum. So, is it possible?
Statistically, Speaking
When looking at statistics, your chances are small. Whether you reach your target score or not depends on how realistic it is. If you’re currently scoring in the mid-150’s and your target score is 160, then yes! There’s no reason why you can’t reach your goals. As long as you have a strong conceptual understanding of the material, your score will almost certainly continue to increase. With the right study regimen, you will gradually become more efficient in how you tackle the various question types, improve your overall section strategy and time-management, and see your scores creep up. 10-15 hours a week over two months will be what it takes to reach, maybe even exceed, that range.
Focus Your Efforts
It goes without saying that the more ambitious your target score is, the more effort it will take to get there. Many students experience a plateau in their performance, generally 1-2 months after commencing their studies. There are ways to overcome this, of course, but you will probably see diminishing returns on your investment. A 10-point jump may have taken only a month in the beginning; once you hit a plateau, it could take another two months to jump half as much! That’s when students often seek professional help through instruction, tutoring, or both to identify and fix specific gaps in their skill set or knowledge base. For more info on score plateaus, check out the following posts.
- Score Plateau? Focus on the Process
- Why Breaks from the LSAT Can Increase Your Score
- Wait! Did My LSAT Score Just Go Down?
The Short Answer Is
Ultimately, most people improve by 10-20 points or more, but there are outliers who will improve by a lot more (and also, unfortunately, by a lot less). This is not to say that a target score that is 30+ points higher than your current range is utterly unrealistic: it’s just exceptionally ambitious. Some students have gone from the low-140’s to the low-170’s! But, no two students are exactly alike. Differences in background, study habits, aptitude for logical reasoning and reading comprehension, etc. can and do lead to different outcomes even under the best possible circumstances.
So, if you’re prone to worrying about reaching your target score (realistic or not), stop right now! Obsessing over it is like wondering if you’ll make your first million by the age of 30. The more you worry about it, the less likely it will be to happen. Focus on the process and let it do its magic. With every practice test you take and review, you learn more about your strengths and weaknesses. Use that knowledge to your advantage, and you won’t be disappointed.
Brianna says
Hi!
I just got my score for my first official lsat test for June 2021. I got a 145 and I wanted to see how I would perform under the actual test day pressures.
I utilized the free khan academy practice tests, the lsat trainer book, and the powerscore lsat logic games bible.
I want to retake my test in October 2021 and would like to score in the 165-175 range to get into my dream school.
What can I add to my study regimen or how many hours a week should I dedicate to studying?
Thanks!
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Brianna,
Thank you for your comment! We highly recommend that students looking into LSAT prep options check out our fully comprehensive PowerScore LSAT Course. The course is designed to begin with ground one, giving students an introduction to the LSAT and the basic methodologies of how to approach the test, and the concepts taught in class will build from there. We offer two online versions of this course so that students can find an option that fits best with their study preferences. Both versions (Live Online and On Demand) follow the same syllabus and include the same material.
The Live Online LSAT Course meets online but the course is still held live, in real time. There is also a chat window so that you can talk in real time with the instructor and the other students in the course! The PowerScore On Demand Course is a pre-recorded version of our Live Online LSAT Course and consists of 10 lessons that are each three hours long. This course is best for students who need a flexible schedule, as the pre-recorded lectures allow students to view the classes at their own convenience.
Lastly, please keep in mind that studying for the LSAT is about consistency and diligence. This is not a test you can cram for, so don’t put in one hour a week and then try to study forty hours a week in the last two weeks. Instead, we suggest getting into a regular schedule where you study a minimum of 12-15 hours a week (and hopefully much more!). 😊
Thank you!
Sim says
Hello!
On my first practice test I scored a 140. I’ve been vigorously studying for the past 3-4 weeks and got a score of 152 on my most recent practice test. My goal is to get a 170 (or close to it) by the mid-August LSAT (2.5-3 months). Do you think this is realistic?
Thanks!
S
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Sim,
Thank you for your comment! While a move from 150 to 170 is certainly possible, here are a few factors to determine if it’s realistic for you:
What are your study habits like? As I’m sure you’re aware, the LSAT is not a test you can cram for, so don’t put in one hour a week and then try to study forty hours a week in the last two weeks. Instead, we suggest getting into a regular schedule where you study a minimum of ten hours a week (and hopefully much more!).
What are your strengths and weaknesses? A lot of students study just by taking practice tests, but they don’t take the time to go back and really figure out things like what they did wrong, why they chose the wrong answer, why the right answer is right, and whether or not they are getting certain types wrong more often than others. If you do take the time to figure out things like that and target specific areas, we are confident you’d be maximizing your time and effort as you try to get the highest score possible. We always say that the benefits of test reviews are so great that it’s almost not worth taking a test unless you can spend an adequate amount of time reviewing it (What is the Best Way to Review LSAT Practice Tests?: https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/the-best-way-to-review-lsat-practice-tests).
Also, you didn’t mention what resources you have available, or whether you have taken any courses. You might want to consider the PowerScore LSAT Bibles, the Analytics Package, an LSAT Course, or LSAT Private Tutoring (https://www.powerscore.com/lsat/) if your schedule and budget allow. The increase you are seeking will require a lot of time and dedication on your part to achieve. If you focus your efforts on the tips above and mentioned in the blog, you should be headed in the right direction!
Thank you!
K.C says
Hi,
I scored a 142 on the November LSAT Flex. Would it be a feasible goal, granted if I took a practice test on a weekly basis, to obtain a 160+ on the January (or even the February) LSAT Flex?
According to some people I’ve spoken to (mostly non-legal or LSAT professionals), this is a completely unrealistic goal, and the best score I will obtain is a 150.
Best,
K.C.
Dave Killoran says
Hi K.C.,
Thanks for the message! Let’s address the last part of your question before getting to the main point. First, a 142 score doesn’t automatically limit you to never scoring above 150. That’s just not the case and I know since I’ve seen many people start there or lower and then score much higher. So, as a general principle, you can certainly score above 150 from a 142. I’d also be careful about listening to or relying on the opinions of others when it comes to your future! I talk about that in this blog (please read it, it addresses this verypoint): Tom Brady and the LSAT. and if you have time, click on the Forum link in the first line of that article that references “one of our students.” He started at a 143, and wanted to score a 170 and just like you people told him it was impossible. Happily, he ended up getting quite close 🙂
Second, whether 160+ is realistic for you depends on a few different things, including:
* What have you done so far to study?
* What strengths and weaknesses do you have?
* How much more than a single practice test can you do each week?
Each person is different, and so there’s no one answer for everyone as to how high they can go. But if you can give us additional insights on the above, then I can make a better assessment. I will say that doing a single practice test each week isn’t going to be enough, though!
Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you!