Will I Ever Reach My Goal Score?

Nafosat, a dedicated LSAT student, finds herself in a position many test-takers can relate to. Despite scoring in the high 170s on practice tests, her official LSAT scores have plateaued, with her best sitting at 171 after four attempts. Exhaustion has set in, leaving her wondering if she’ll ever achieve her goal of 175 or higher. She’s now faced with two key decisions:

1. Should she apply to Stanford, Yale, and Harvard with her 171?

2. Should she take the LSAT one final time?

In this article, we’ll analyze Nafosat’s situation and offer guidance for others in similar circumstances.

171: A Competitive Score

First and foremost, a 171 is a great score by any measure. Paired with an impressive international GPA, translated as “Superior,”  Nafosat is already an excellent candidate for elite law schools, including some of the most competitive ones like Stanford, Yale, and Harvard.

While it’s true that these are among the most selective schools, a 171 keeps her in the running. These institutions are long shots for most applicants, even those with top-tier credentials, but applying with a 171 is still worthwhile. For these schools, every applicant is exceptional, and because they don’t offer merit-based scholarships, being below the median LSAT won’t affect her potential cost of tuition.

Why Not Take It Again?

Although a 171 is already an excellent score, Nafosat’s practice tests suggest she can score even higher. Her consistent performance in the mid-to-high 170s indicates she is capable of improving her official score, which could strengthen her application. However, Nafosat has expressed exhaustion and frustration after four attempts, raising the question of whether another test would help or simply add more stress.

Don’t Give the LSAT Too Much Respect

One issue that may be holding Nafosat back is the mental disparity between how she approaches practice tests and official LSATs. Her official scores lag behind her practice scores, a common issue for students who unintentionally treat the official test differently.

This difference often stems from the pressure of achieving a specific score on test day, which can lead to second-guessing, overthinking, or rushing through questions, all of which tend to cause students to underperform on test day.

Instead of treating the official LSAT as just another practice test, students sometimes give it too much significance, which can hinder their performance. Underperforming can be discouraging, but just like other obstacles on your journey, you are capable of overcoming underperformance on test day. If you’ve underperformed on an official test, ask yourself what you might have done differently, consciously or subconsciously, and how you can avoid making those same mistakes next time. Learning to attack the real thing just like a practice test helps students see that the tools they’ve learned while studying are every bit as applicable to the real thing. 

Don’t Wait Too Long

Nafosat has expressed hesitation about using her final LSAT attempt, wanting to save it for the “perfect”  moment. However, this mindset adds unnecessary pressure and risks turning the fifth attempt into an overly significant event.

Her practice test results show that she’s already prepared to achieve a higher score, and she’s already got an elite score in her back pocket. Waiting until April or June to retake the LSAT may not be necessary and could prolong the stress she’s already experiencing. Treating the final attempt like any other practice test—relaxed and confident—could help her unlock her full potential. Nafosat can take the official test confidently because she has nothing to lose. We’re confident she’s going to crush it.

Takeaway

Nafosat’s situation highlights several important lessons for anyone navigating the LSAT process:

1. A 171 is an excellent score: With a score in the 98th percentile and a strong GPA, she is a competitive candidate for top law schools, including Stanford, Yale, and Harvard.

2. Higher scores are possible: Her consistent practice scores in the high 170s indicate the potential for improvement.

3. Mindset matters: Treating the official LSAT as another practice test can reduce stress and lead to better results.

4. Perfection isn’t necessary: Aiming for incremental improvement, even just one or two points, can significantly improve an application, especially at such a high level.

5. Don’t overthink it: Avoid adding unnecessary weight to the last LSAT opportunity. It’s just like another practice test.