Solve Each Question

Should you assume that your LSAT score will get you into a school based on the scholarships they were offering last year? And is being “aggressive” on the LSAT a good idea? 

In a recent episode of LSAT Demon Daily, Nathan Fox and Ben Olson addressed a question from listener Lawrence, who scored a 160 on his first official LSAT test. 

Lawrence was scheduled for additional LSATs in September, October, and November. He viewed a score of 160 as advantageous, as it would position him for significant scholarship opportunities at Syracuse University and potential admission to Fordham Law's part-time program.

This article discusses considerations you should make if you’re in a similar situation.

Scholarship Projections and Application Strategy

If you’re looking at last year’s admissions data to project whether or not you’ll receive a scholarship at a particular law school, keep in mind that this data may no longer be accurate.

For instance, last year, a score of 160 typically secured a substantial scholarship at Syracuse, but admissions decisions can vary from year to year. It’s worth consulting the LSAT Demon scholarship estimator to better understand your standing based on the offers your GPA and LSAT score can get you. 

While the data suggests a strong likelihood of receiving a good offer, don’t just assume that everything will proceed smoothly. 

Schools often adjust their admissions strategies, so if you’re in a similar boat to Lawrence, with a score in the early 160s, it’s essential to continue studying in case you need a higher score. And, as always, you should apply broadly to ensure you have alternative options in case your preferred law school’s policies change.

Admissions Decisions Can Be Random

Keep in mind the unpredictable nature of law school admissions. Even if you had multiple applications submitted last year, the outcomes could differ significantly due to various factors, including who reviews the applications. There are elements of chance involved, such as the mood of the reviewer on the day they evaluate an application.

To counter this unpredictability, you should apply to a broad range of schools and obtain your best possible LSAT score. This approach provides more options when it comes to making your final decision. 

Test Strategy and Mindset

Lawrence mentions feeling conservative during his August LSAT, indicating that he spent too much time double-checking answers on the first few questions. This behavior is common. If you’ve fallen into the same pattern, instead of second-guessing, you should aim to answer questions confidently, mirroring the way you perform on practice tests.

Always treat your official test like a practice test, and vice versa. This means solving each passage, answering confidently, and moving on without second-guessing.

Final Recommendations

To summarize, aim to solve each passage before you pick an answer. This will force you to progress through the LSAT at a pace that allows for high accuracy. Focusing on accuracy will help you get better at the LSAT in the long run and improve your score in the short term. Once you are ready, sign up to take an official LSAT. Your goal shouldn’t be to overperform your practice tests on test day, it should be to replicate your practice test scores. 

Approaching the LSAT in this way will help you apply the skills you’ve developed in practice without unnecessary anxiety or pressure to perform differently on test day. Once you’ve crushed the LSAT, use the scholarship estimator to see your potential scholarship outlook at a range of schools and apply broadly based on the results.