I have been on and off studying for LSAT for a year, but finally locked in this May and am being consistent and working 2-3 hours a day on curriculum and drills. Prep test diagnostic when I first took it was 148. I want to get into a top law school and I need to apply this term (for next year) because I graduated college this year. I am going to be in an accounting Masters program this year as well. I feel like I am making progress. Is a jump to 160 possible if I am determined? and will I be able to get into a top law school?
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My only additional advice from the perspective of a former admissions officer is if you feel like you need to rush your prep and your apps, you'll probably be a more competitive applicant next year rather than this year. It's really rare to see someone do their best on the LSAT while they're also in a grad program. That's before we even get into the reality of questions like "... so, when are you going to find time to write your personal statement, update your resume, and do your school specific statements...?"
I know you said that you need to apply this admissions cycle! I just wanted to offer the counterpoint that you may be better off in the long run if you give yourself the time and space to do your best!
I can't speak on the top law school aspect, but I got a 148 on my diagnostic and my official score in June was 163. So i think it's possible! I had been studying since Dec 2025.
From an LSAT-studying point of view, it's definitely possible to improve from a 148 diagnostic score to a 160 official score! The important questions are: Where are you scoring at this point, how much improvement have you seen since that 148 diagnostic score, and how are you spending your study time? We often like to emphasize how quality is more important to quantity when it comes to studying. So if you find that it's exhausting to study 2-3 hours a day on top of your master's program, you might be better off studying for less time per day to avoid burnout, or maybe even postponing your test date so you're not stressed about meeting a deadline.
Apart from the LSAT itself, there are lots of good questions to consider about when to apply for law school, how to fit in the other elements of your application (e.g. essays and resumes) that are just as important, and how to build a balanced law school list. @JacobBaska gives some great tips about that. You definitely don't have to apply this year, and law schools often prefer candidates with more work experience, all else equal.
What are you considering a top law school? T14? T50?
There's also a lot of information you aren't detailing that can impact your application.
I see that you've listed Duke on your 7sage account as one of the schools you're interested in. If that's the case, 160 isn't going to cut it and you're really aiming closer to 170. You don't have to hit 170 but that's essentially the median score for accepted applicants there.