163 first time around without practice: impossible?

[MalachiConstant]

Thanks for your response. I really didn't think it was possible to score that highly the first time around, but I stand corrected.

[SASS]

When a friend suggested that I look at law school, I walked into a Kaplan center and scored a 169 on their practice test.  Decided it was at least good enough to take the real thing and keep my options open, and scored 170+ on the real thing.  I used the book of 10 practice exams put out by LSAC to prep.  So yeah, it's possible.  The test prep classes make me scratch my head a bit, to be honest... this isn't a content test.  Other than a few basic strategies that I'm sure anyone can pick up on the internet, I don't see how it can be "taught."

Then again, I've decided on a non-ABA school, so my advice should probably be ignored.

You scored in the 170+ and went with a non-ABA school? Say it ain't so!

[phreejazz]

When a friend suggested that I look at law school, I walked into a Kaplan center and scored a 169 on their practice test.  Decided it was at least good enough to take the real thing and keep my options open, and scored 170+ on the real thing.  I used the book of 10 practice exams put out by LSAC to prep.  So yeah, it's possible.  The test prep classes make me scratch my head a bit, to be honest... this isn't a content test.  Other than a few basic strategies that I'm sure anyone can pick up on the internet, I don't see how it can be "taught."

Then again, I've decided on a non-ABA school, so my advice should probably be ignored.

You scored in the 170+ and went with a non-ABA school? Say it ain't so!

Hate to disappoint ya, but afraid it is so.  Long story short: In my situation I can't justify taking two years to go back and finish my undergrad degree, so a non-ABA school it is.

[onmytoes812]

i got a 160 when i took the kaplan test. so yes, it's possible.

[OutsideLSAT]

Working for a prep company, I can confirm that many students do score a 163 or higher on their first try: probably 15 - 20% of the students I work with.  Having exceptional reading abilities is usually the key to doing so well with no past prep.

[EarlCat]

Joe Perry picked up the guitar without taking any lessons.  Other than a few basic scales that I'm sure anyone can pick up on the internet, I don't see how it can be "taught."

[StevePirates]

Hate to disappoint ya, but afraid it is so.  Long story short: In my situation I can't justify taking two years to go back and finish my undergrad degree, so a non-ABA school it is.

Totally off topic now, but did you consider Thomas Jefferson in San Diego?  Last I heard they still accept "exceptional non-B.A. candidates".  With a 170+.... you probably fit that bill.

(I was waitlisted there with a 167 before I finished my B.A., but I decided to take the extra year and finish up my degree.)

[Jay Jay]

I received a 162 on my first test, but a friend of mine scored 174 cold on a practice test and when in to take the real one a couple of weeks later with no additional practice and received 168.  So, I'm guessing it's more than possible to score 163 on a first try. 

[BikePilot]

I know many of my classmates did better without any studying. Mid 160's for taking it cold isn't terribly unusual - figure that most folks probably don't improve by more than 10pts, then most of the students at S Y and H probably did better than that.

[TJCCARDCO]

And you can spare us your useless and bitter questions. HTH.