From 2021 to 2024, the median LSAT score was 153, or the 50th percentile. That means anyone who scored 153 had a better score than half of all test takers and a worse score than half. And if you scored 160, you were doing better than about 75% of the crowd. But neither of them is the LSAT passing score.
So, what LSAT passing score do you really need? And is there even such a thing as an actual LSAT passing score? I’ll break down everything in the paragraphs below.
Key Takeaways
- No Official Passing Score: Technically, there’s no such thing as an LSAT passing score, since every law school sets its own standards.
- Median LSAT Scores Vary: Most schools look for scores near or above the median LSAT score of their incoming class.co
- Score Range Matters: LSAT scores range from 120 to 180, and most ABA-accredited law schools want applicants with scores well above the lowest possible score.
- Percentile Ranking Counts: Your percentile score shows how you stack up against other test takers—it’s not just about the raw score.
- Intense Prep Pays Off: Practice tests, a solid study plan, and LSAT prep resources are your best ways to boost your score and confidence for test day.
Understanding the LSAT Score Range
The LSAT, aka the Law School Admission Test, is scored on a scale from 120, which is the lowest possible score, to 180, the highest LSAT score. Every test taker receives a scaled score, which is converted from your raw score—the total number of questions you answered correctly—using a score conversion chart. The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) uses this chart and makes adjustments for differences based on the test difficulty on any given LSAT test date.
But here’s the deal: There’s no official “passing” score. Law schools use LSAT percentiles and median scores to compare applicants, not a universal cutoff.
What’s a Good LSAT Score for Law School?
If you’re asking what a good LSAT score is, good question! The answer will depend on where you want to go. Most ABA-accredited law schools publish the median LSAT score for their incoming class, so be sure to check their website. For many top law schools, the median is around 170, but for others, it might be closer to the average LSAT score nationally, which is in the lower 150s, often from 151 to 153.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Top law schools: Aim for a score in the 170s, preferably mid to upper 170s.
- Most schools: A good score usually falls somewhere between 155 and 165.
- Lowest acceptable score: Some schools may accept scores in the 140s, but that’s rare—admissions get tougher with lower scores.
Keep in mind that your undergraduate GPA is also a factor, but the LSAT is often the most important factor for law school admission.
How Test Day Feelings Compare to Actual Scores
One thing future test takers often wonder is whether the way you feel after the LSAT is a good indicator of your score. The truth? Not really.
Many past test takers say their test-day gut feeling didn’t line up with their results at all. As one student explained, “The first time I knew I didn’t perform at my best, and my score reflected that. The second time I felt amazing, then fear set in the next day—but my score ended up being great.” Others echoed the same idea, with one tutor noting, “If I judged my 99th percentile score based on how I felt, I would have canceled it—thank goodness I didn’t.”
The bottom line: don’t panic if you walk away from the exam feeling like you bombed it, and don’t celebrate too soon if you felt great. Your score is the only reliable measure, and waiting for release day is just part of the process.
LSAT Percentiles and What They Mean
When you get your score report, it’ll show your scaled score and your percentile ranking. The percentile score shows how you did compared to other test takers. For example, an LSAT score of 160 is typically around the 80th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 80% of all test takers.
Schools use these percentiles to get a rough estimate of your abilities versus the competition. If you want to impress the admission committee at the top law schools, shooting for a higher percentile is a smart move.
How LSAT Scoring Works—and What It Means for Your Prep
When you take the LSAT, your score isn’t just about how many questions you get wrong or right. Instead, your raw score, the number of correct answers, gets converted into a scaled score using a score conversion chart. And I should point out that the chart changes a bit for each LSAT test date, because each test is a little different. So the same number of correct answers won’t always equal the same LSAT score every time you take the exam. Not confusing at all, right?
Here’s what matters most:
- All questions count the same.
- There’s no deduction for wrong answers. If you’re stumped, it’s smart to guess, because leaving an answer blank is like leaving free points on the table.
- The scaling process adjusts for differences in difficulty between versions of the test. That way, a raw score from one test date will compare fairly to a different test.
How to Prepare for the LSAT: Tips and Resources
Getting a higher score is all about smart prep. So I strongly recommend:
- Taking practice tests under timed conditions.
- Creating a study plan that best matches your learning style.
- Using LSAT prep resources. Pick a test prep company if you want extra structure.
- Reviewing your mistakes after every practice exam and learning from them.
- You can self-study online with an LSAT prep course, or mix and match other resources—just make sure you practice all the logical reasoning and reading comprehension questions you can.
Pro tip: Find a quiet place and treat each timed test like the real thing. That’s how you’ll learn to manage test day stress!
Final Thoughts
There’s a good chance you’re relieved to know there’s no single LSAT passing score, but don’t let that fool you. Your score is extremely important for law school admission. Focus on the median score for your target schools, and use practice exams to set realistic goals. With the right LSAT prep, you’ll put yourself in the best position to succeed.
FAQs
Yes, a score of 135 is considered low. Most schools expect at least 145-150, but many ABA-accredited law schools prefer much higher scores.
You can usually miss about 10 to 13 questions and still get a 170, depending on the test date and score conversion chart that was used.
Although some law schools do accept scores in the 140s, you’ll have a much better chance with a higher score. Most schools’ median LSAT scores are above 150.
It’s challenging! While there’s no official LSAT pass rate, it’s a tightly timed test that measures logical reasoning and reading comprehension.
If you answer about 80% of questions correctly, you’ll likely score in the mid-to-high 160s, and that will put you in a strong percentile ranking.
