Each prospective student receives a score between 120 and 180. LSAT examiners calculate each individual's final score by converting a raw score from the number of questions answered correctly. The LSAT score reflects the prospective law student's ability to answer reading and verbal reasoning questions.
While law schools do not publish definite cut-off scores for admission, each law school does publish an admission profile grid showing the LSAT scores of admitted students. Prospective law students can assess their chances of admission by using profile grids to find out how many applicants with similar LSAT scores gained admission in previous years to their preferred schools. Students with LSAT scores much lower than the law school's student population are unlikely to receive an offer of admission.
Prospective law students can search for law schools whose students have similar LSAT scores to their own scores. The Law School Admission Council maintains an online search tool which applicants can use to filter law schools. (see Resources) Users of the tool enter their undergraduate grade-point-average and LSAT score. The search results show the user's scores compared to the range of scores for students admitted at each school. The user can also sort the search results to show likelihood of admission based on his grades and LSAT score.
Though students with low LSAT scores may feel discouraged if they fall outside the LSAT score-range for their preferred schools, they may be able to rely on other aspects of their qualifications to gain admission, regardless of a weaker LSAT score or low grade-point-average. Recommendations written by former professors or employers may provide a more personalized picture of the applicant. Each applicant can also submit a personal essay, often written about a topic of her choice, to tell her own unique story. Law schools might also consider an applicant's work experience, other graduate degrees, or ability to add to the school's diversity.