Less than 2% of LSAT test takers score a 173 or higher, according to the Law School Admission Council. If you’re thinking about applying to law school, you could say that understanding the LSAT score range and percentiles is just as important as brushing up on your thinking skills.
The LSAT isn’t just a test. It’s the gatekeeper to your law school dreams, and knowing where you stand compared to other test takers can help you aim for your target law schools with a bit more confidence. Let’s break down how LSAT scoring really works—and what those numbers mean for your law school future.
Key Takeaways
- Wide Score Range: The LSAT score range runs from 120 to 180, so you have a broad target to aim for.
- Average and Median: The average LSAT score is about 151 to 153, which is also close to the median LSAT score for test takers.
- Percentile Power: Your LSAT score percentiles will show you how you stack up against other law school applicants.
- Top School Targets: Most top law schools, like Harvard, look for scores in the 170s or higher.
- Score Conversion: Your raw score—number of correct answers— turns into a scaled LSAT score using the Law School Admission Council conversion chart.
LSAT Score Range: What’s the Scale?
When you get your LSAT score report, you’ll see a scaled score anywhere from 120, the lowest possible score, to 180, the highest LSAT score. The Law School Admission Council (LSAC), the organization that actually makes the test, uses a process called scaling to convert your raw score, which is the number of questions you answered correctly, into your final number grade.
Most students will fall somewhere in the middle of the LSAT scoring scale, with the median score typically around 151 to 153. So if you’re for specific scores for law school admission, you need to remember that higher scores will put you in a much stronger position throughout the admissions process.
How LSAT Percentiles Work
LSAT percentiles show how your score ranks compared to other law school applicants. For example, if your score percentile is 90th, that means you did better than 90% of other LSAT takers. The LSAT percentile rank appears right on your LSAT score report, so you can see how competitive you are for your target law schools.
- Most law schools report the 25th, median, and 75th percentile LSAT scores for their incoming class.
- A 170 usually lands you in the 97th percentile, while a 160 will put you closer to the 80th percentile.
- LSAT percentiles vary slightly from year to year based on different LSAT administrations, but the overall curve stays pretty steady.
For a lot of people, finally getting to see your LSAT percentile score spelled out is exciting.
What’s a Good LSAT Score?
A good LSAT score depends on your dream law school. For most law schools, the median LSAT score for admitted students is between 155 and 165. But top law schools, like Harvard and Yale, want to see scores much closer to the highest score possible—so 170 or above, but often mid-170s and above.
Keep in mind, while the LSAT is a big deal, it’s not the only thing admissions officers look at. Your undergraduate GPA, personal statement, and other aspects of your application are important too. And depending on your score, they may be very important!
Raw Scores, Scaled Scores, and Score Conversion Charts
Your raw score is just the number of test questions you answer correctly out of about 100 to 102 scored questions, and I say about, because the exact number can change with different LSAT administrations. LSAC uses a score conversion chart to turn your raw score into a scaled score between 120 and 180. This helps adjust for slight differences in difficulty between each test date.
For example, if you answered 90 questions correctly, your scaled LSAT score could fall somewhere in the 170s. The difference between, say, a 172 and a 175 might only be a couple of questions, which is why every answer really counts.
Why Percentiles Matter for Law School Admissions
Law school admissions officers love LSAT percentiles because they help compare applicants from different testing years and different LSAT administrations. And they can do that at a glance. Just remember that admissions officers are looking at both your LSAT score and your percentile rank.
Most law school applicants focus on getting above the median score for their dream school’s incoming class. Schools like to see a strong LSAT percentile because it boosts their rankings in those all-important law school lists. Bragging rights are very, very important to them! So yeah, to some extent, your score is more about them than it is about you. Sorry to disillusion you!
Final Thoughts
If you’re planning to take the LSAT, understanding the LSAT score range and percentiles can help you set clear, realistic goals. Whether your target is Harvard Law School or you just want to get into a solid regional school, your LSAT score is a huge part of your law school admissions journey. Every single test taker faces the same challenges, and a little bit of strategy and a whole lot of practice can go a long way.
Now that you understand LSAT scores and percentiles, check this comparison of top LSAT courses and see which is right for your study needs.
FAQs
A score of about 168 typically puts you in the 95th percentile among test takers.
A 160 lands you around the 80th percentile, so while it’s not rare, it’s still higher than most LSAT takers’ scores.
Scores of 175 and above are rare. Less than 1% of test takers manage it.
Harvard Law School’s median LSAT score for admitted students is around 174.
Some law schools with lower median scores and higher acceptance rates include schools like Thomas M. Cooley Law School, but always check each school’s current admissions data.
