The LSAT score is one of the most important elements of a law school application. Admissions committees use it to compare applicants and decide which prospective students should be offered a seat in their programs. Scores can also be used to secure scholarships and grants, making them a doubly important part of law school for many students. Discover how to understand your score report and what makes a “good” score in the eyes of a college or university admissions committee.
| Score | Percentile |
|---|---|
| 180 | 99% |
| 170 | 95% |
| 167 | 91% |
| 165 | 85% |
| 163 | 82% |
| 162 | 79% |
| 160 | 73% |
| 153 | 49% |
LSAT Scoring System Explained
The LSAT measures a candidate’s skills related to legal studies, such as logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and reading comprehension. It consists of both a long-form written portion and a multiple-choice section. Your score is a compilation of these two sections.
Raw Scores and Their Conversion
There are about 100 questions on the LSAT, but the exact number varies between different versions of the exam. The raw score is the number of questions answered correctly out of the total number of questions on the test. Wrong or blank answers do not hurt your raw or scaled scores.
Schools do not see your raw score. Instead, it’s converted into a scaled score that adjusts for the differences in different tests’ levels of difficulty. This process makes different versions of the test comparable to one another.
LSAT scores expire after 5 years. In 2026, results earned before June 2021 are no longer valid. Anyone planning to apply to law school will need to submit scores taken after June 2021.
The 120 to 180 Scale
The score range for LSAT, once scaled, is 120 to 180. This scale is consistent across all tests and all test administrations.
- 120 is the lowest possible.
- 180 is a perfect score.
- The midpoint is around 150.
Most test takers achieve between 140 and 160. Scores above 160 are considered strong, while results above 170 are typically associated with top law schools. Candidates usually aim for a minimum of 150, which can secure admission to reputable law schools, though not top Ivy League facilities.
Understanding Score Bands
LSAT scores reported to law schools are given in the form of a score band, rather than a specific number. A score band is a small range around your score. The logic is that no exam is perfectly precise, and your result on the test is just one data point measuring your proficiency. Therefore, your actual proficiency is likely a little higher or lower than your specific score.
For example, your scaled score may be 158, but your band score may be 155-161. The actual band given is calculated based on the standard error of measurement (SEM), which is calculated based on data collected from your and previous test administrations.
Admissions offices understand the band score and take that into consideration with your other admissions materials. They focus on your overall performance, backed by a strong band score, rather than making decisions based on a single-point difference.
LSAT Score Percentiles
Like many standardized examinations, the LSAT presents scores with percentile information. Percentiles demonstrate how competitive your score is compared to other test takers. In short, they reveal what percentage of other candidates you outperformed.
Percentiles are calculated using the past four years of data. The percentiles are usually very similar each year. They give more context to your result, allowing you and admissions committees to better understand your standing compared to other law school candidates.
As someone who has sat on admissions committees, I can tell you that the human element often tips the scales. When an applicant we’d met with retested and improved their score, we remembered. We pulled that file to the top of the pile.
Autumn Lockett for The National Jurist
What Constitutes a Good LSAT Score?
A “good” LSAT score will depend on which law school you plan to apply to. For lower-ranked schools, a competitive score can be in the 160-170 range. For elite institutions, nothing lower than a 175 will do.
The general benchmarks for law candidates can be simplified. While it’s important to check your intended school’s acceptance information to make sure you understand the score you need to aim for, the general idea is:
- 150–155: Competitive for some regional or lower-ranked law schools.
- 156–160: Solid result for many mid-tier schools.
- 161–165: Strong score for top 50 schools.
- 166–170: Highly competitive for top 20 schools.
- 171–180: Excellent range for top law schools, including Ivy League programs.
A perfect LSAT score is 180, which equates to the top 99.89th percentile.
A strong score is usually defined as being higher than the median LSAT score of your target schools. Each law school publishes its median, 25th percentile, and 75th percentile LSAT scores for admitted students.
For example, if a law school has:
- Median LSAT: 168
- 25th percentile: 165
- 75th percentile: 171
Scoring at or above 168 puts you in a strong position. Scoring below 165 may make admission more difficult. Highly selective schools may not consider an application with a lower score, but many institutions will weigh the score alongside other admissions materials.
Your GPA also plays an important role. Law schools evaluate LSAT scores and GPA together. A high LSAT score can offset a lower GPA, and a strong GPA can support a slightly lower LSAT score.
If your score is below 150, it’s highly unlikely you’ll gain admission to any law school. Take time to improve your studies with a course and intense review, and try again.
Interpreting Your LSAT Score Report
Your LSAT Score Report is automatically compiled and distributed digitally. Candidates need to plan their test-taking diligently for a variety of reasons. Your scores can help inform you on what to do next regarding applications and retakes.
LSAT Score Reports include:
- Your scaled score: The official LSAT score between 120 and 180.
- Percentile rank: Your performance compared to other test takers.
- Score band: Your score variability range.
- Test and score history: Your results from any previous LSATs you’ve taken, including those you were absent from or for which your score was cancelled.
- Argumentative Writing sample: Your on-file writing sample associated with the LSAT.
If you want an official printed copy of your score report, you can request one from LSAC for $50 per report. It includes all of your reportable and nonreportable (expired) scores. It’s not necessary to purchase the official report unless you’re applying to an organization such as MENSA or another institution beyond law school. The report does not break down your score by section; it only tells you the total over all 3 scored sections.
When reviewing your results, compare it to the published data from your target schools. Look at their median and percentile ranges. This gives you a realistic sense of where you stand.
You, any law schools you’ve indicated in your registration process, and optionally, additional schools and agencies as part of the Candidate Referral Service, as well as your prelaw advisor.
For example, if your score is 162 and your target school’s median is 164, you are close to the competitive range. Strengthening other parts of your application, such as your personal statement, letters of recommendation, GPA, and work experience, can improve your chances of acceptance.
If your score is well below the 25th percentile, you may want to consider retaking the LSAT or adjusting your school list. When retaking the LSAT, your new score can show how effective your studying and prep have been. If your score remains lower than desired, you may need to adjust your study habits, take a course, or work with a tutor to help you prepare for another attempt. Note that you can only take the LSAT 7 times in your life, so be sure to plan your tests and studying carefully.
How LSAT Scores Affect University Admissions Decisions
Law schools usually only consider the highest LSAT score in your admissions packet. Note that they can see your full testing history, which could, in certain cases, influence their decision. Admissions committees typically focus on:
- Your highest score
- Score consistency across multiple attempts
- The timeline of your attempts
The LSAT score preview is an optional service you can purchase ($46 before test day, $87 on or after test day) that allows you to see your score before it is submitted to anyone else, such as schools and agencies. If you’re unsatisfied with the score, you can request that it be cancelled rather than submitted. Note that future reports will show a cancelled status for your score for that administration.
Candidates often make multiple attempts, and most admissions committees do not penalize retakes; however, highly selective schools may be negatively swayed by multiple subpar results even if you score well on your final attempt. Thoroughly research your target schools before scheduling your first LSAT to fully understand their expectations and admissions trends.
Generally, displaying a significant score increase across two or three attempts can show that you diligently do the work to correct your errors and learn what you need to know. It paints you as a resilient, competent, and persistent student who is capable of improving. On the other hand, a history showing drops in your score or large gaps between exams can raise questions.
Choosing LSAT testing dates that match your schedule and needs, as well as the school's admissions timeline, is important. It's generally recommended to have a solid LSAT score by December before the fall semester in which you intend to commence your studies. You can always take another LSAT later on to try to achieve a higher score. Many students are advised to submit applications before March for a fall commencement, but of course, the exact application schedule depends on the school.
Competitively, students with higher scores generally have a better chance at admission, provided their other application materials are satisfactory. Here’s how your score stacks up in law school admissions:
Very strong chance of admission
Stronger chance of admission
Applicants are evaluated more holistically (strong GPA, letters of recommendation, etc. can make or break your application)
Low chance of admission. Strong application materials may help. Retaking the LSAT and getting a higher score is recommended.
LSAT scores of accepted students influence a university’s ranking and reputation. Not only do prestigious schools require a high score because they expect their students to perform at an acceptable level, but they also need to maintain their prestige through exclusivity.
LSAT Score Targets for Top Law Schools
Planning your target LSAT score requires researching your preferred law schools. You will need to know various figures from their admissions data. The 25th percentile is the bare minimum score you should submit, while scoring near the mid range will put you in a competitive place. Scoring above the 75th percentile gives you the best chance of acceptance.
Here are some LSAT figures for the top law schools across the US:
Harvard
- 25th: 171
- Median: 174
- 75th: 176
University of Chicago
- 25th: 171
- Median: 174
- 75th: 176
Yale
- 25th: 171
- Median: 174
- 75th: 177
Texas A&M
- 25th: 161
- Median: 169
- 75th: 170
Boston College
- 25th: 162
- Median: 168
- 75th: 169
Northeastern University
- 25th: 161
- Median: 164
- 75th: 166
University of Wisconsin-Madison
- 25th: 161
- Median: 167
- 75th: 169
Arizona State University
- 25th: 158
- Median: 165
- 75th: 167
Scoring low on the LSAT is not the be-all and end-all for your law school applications. Many students take LSAT prep courses and dedicate themselves to intense studies, resulting in marked improvements (sometimes by as much as 20 points!). With careful planning and effective studying, you can achieve a satisfactory score on the LSAT and pursue your law school dreams.
References
- “Compare 196 ABA-Accredited Law Schools Side-by-Side.” Public Legal | Internet Legal Research Group, Dec. 2025, www.ilrg.com/rankings/law. Accessed 7 July 2026.
- Lockett, Autumn. “Is It Smart to Apply to Law School Before Taking the LSAT?” National Jurist, 11 Mar. 2026, nationaljurist.com/why-its-smart-to-apply-to-law-school-before-taking-the-lsat. Accessed 9 July 2026.
- “LSAT Percentiles | the Law School Admission Council.” LSAC, www.lsac.org/data-research/data/lsat-percentiles. Accessed 7 July 2026.
- “LSAT Scoring | the Law School Admission Council.” LSAC, www.lsac.org/lsat/lsat-scoring. Accessed 7 July 2026.
- “Official Candidate LSAT Score Reports | the Law School Admission Council.” LSAC, www.lsac.org/lsat/lsat-scoring/official-candidate-lsat-score-reports. Accessed 7 July 2026.
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