LSAT Prep by mpamich.com

Prospective law school students must take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test). It is an extremely important test that could significantly impact the choices available to you for law schools. This standardized school entrance test is a half-day exam that is given four times a year, generally in February, June, October, and December.

Scoring

Your score is calculated in three different ways. These include the raw score, scaled score, and percentile. Your raw score is used as the basis and converted into the scaled score and percentile. Both the scaled score and percentile will be accessible by law schools.

Raw Score

Your raw score is simply the amount of correct answers. Incorrect answers will not be counted. Therefore, you will not be deducted for answers that are not correct or are not complete. Each question is weighted equally.

As this is the case, it is imperative that you attempt to answer every single question and do not spend too much more time on one than the other. If the next question is easier to answer, then answer it before spending a long period of time on the one above it. It is a possibility that you could answer a question correctly by accident, but you have no chance at all if you do not fill in the circle.

Scaled Score

Your raw score is converted by the process of equating. This is a statistical procedure that converts your raw score into a scaled score that takes into consideration the differences in difficulty between the LSAT you have taken verses prior exams. For example, the October exam may be simpler than the June test or vice versa. This conversion process makes the scoring evenhanded amongst all test takers. Scaled test scores range from 120 to 180.

Percentile Ranking

This ranking is basically used as a comparison tool among law school candidates. It reflects the percentage of candidates that rank below your LSAT score. It is not based on your actual performance on the test, but rather compares your score to those who have scored less than you in the past three years.

Your score is based on a conversion table that is established from students who have taken this test in the past three years. The percentile ranking generally coincides with your scaled score. If you receive a high LSAT score, then you will likely receive a high percentile ranking.

Here’s an example to help you better understand how the percentile ranking works. If you receive a score of 164, then your percentile may be approximately 90%. This means that your score beat approximately 90% of all test takers. That is pretty good!

Determining a Good LSAT Score

Since LSAT scores fall into the range of 120 to 180, the average score will fall between 150 and 160. Is this a good LSAT score? That all depends on what school you would like to attend and whether or not you will be applying for a scholarship.

For some schools, this score would be considered good. However, if you want to attend one of the top law schools, you will have to do better than that. These scores will likely range from 167 to 180, many of which require at least a 170 or above. There are many law school scholarships available to you; however, the LSAT score is likely a large factor on whether or not you will be accepted.

Summing Up

Remember to answer as many questions as possible since you are not reprimanded for incorrect or incomplete answers. A good LSAT score depends on a number of personal factors, as well as scholarship and academic requirements.

What may be good for one person may not be good for another. There are prep courses like those provided by getprepped.com and guides that can help you prepare for this career changing test. Take the time to prepare, as this test is an integral part of pursuing your journey for becoming a lawyer.