Many people write in wondering what a good LSAT score is. Often times people wonder if they can be admitted to a particular law school based on their LSAT scores. The truth is that your LSAT score is one of two important factors in determining whether law school applicants will be admitted. Importantly, you need to know what your LSAT score range means.
So, we will break down the different LSAT score ranges and provide commentary on what you can expect in your law school admissions process while scoring in the various ranges. We will analyze the scaled scores (not the raw score) for law school admissions which range from 120-180.
120 – 130 LSAT Scores – Something Went Wrong
If you are scoring in the 120 – 130, this is a not good LSAT score. This means you are scoring at the absolute bottom of all test takers. An LSAT score between 120 and 130 means you are in the 0% to 1.9% LSAT scores compared to other test takers on that particular LSAT.
If you have a score this low, it may be because you were unable to complete the vast majority of the questions or you had some sort of error when transferring your answers. Regardless, if you score this low you need to consider retaking the law school admission test. It is highly unlikely that you will get in to a law school with an LSAT score this low. Top law schools will not even look at your application with these LSAT scores.
131-140 LSAT Scores – Try Again
LSAT score in this range is still not a good LSAT score. If your LSAT scored between 131 and 140 you are in the 2.3% to 12.7% range. This is not good. It means about 88% or more of the other test takers scored in a higher LSAT percentile than you did.
Most law schools will not accept someone with a 131 – 140 LSAT score. However, with practice you can move up your LSAT score and apply to law school. It is not uncommon for people to improve 10-20 points to a higher score. If you start around 139 and improve to a 159 you will certainly be admitted to law school. It may not be your dream law school or even a top law school, but you’ll get in somewhere.
141 – 150 – Almost Average LSAT Score
If you are scoring in the 141 – 150 range, that is a great sign if you are just beginning your studies. Although 141 – 150 is not a good LSAT score, you are only a few more correct question away from scoring above average and hitting some law school’s 75th percentile ranges. However, for this percentile score range, there is a huge difference between the high 140s and the low 140s.
That is because this test score range falls right in the middle of the bell curve of scores. So, if you score a 141, you only beat out 14% of other test takers. But, if you score a 150 then you beat out 44%. What this means is that scoring a 150 is much much better than scoring a 141.
A 150 means you are close to break above-average scores, but a 141 means you may have a ways to go.
151 – 160 – You’re Going to Law School
Congratulations! If you can score between 151 and 160 you can go to law school. There are plenty of law schools that will accept an LSAT score of 151 and above. You may be the 75th percentile at some of those schools, but you can get in because you have surpassed the average LSAT score.
As with the previous range, there is a huge difference within this score range on the law school admissions test. A 151 is about an average score where you beat out 48.5% of your peers. However, a 160 means you beat out 82% of your peers. A 160 is a good LSAT score. So, if you are in the 151 to 160 score range, every question counts. Many mid-tier law schools will accept a 160 but will not accept a 151. As far as top law schools go, you really want to break into the next score range to have the best shot.
161 – 170 – Where You Want to Be
LSAT scores in this range are the sweet spot. If you can score between 161 and 170 you beat out 84.9% to 98.1% of other testers. What does this mean? It means you have a good LSAT score that is in the top 16% and above. Additionally, note that the difference between a top 15% and top 2% LSAT score can be simply a few questions answered correctly.
If you are in this score range you will be admitted to law school. The higher score you achieve within this range, the more likely you get into your dream law school. Admittance to the elite law schools like Harvard, Stanford, Yale likely require above a 170, but they do admit students in this score range.
171 – 180 – Top Law School – Significant Scholarship
If you are scoring in this range, you probably shouldn’t even be reading this because you have an elite LSAT score and you know it. This is where the top 1 – 2% of test takers are. If you are agonizing over the difference between a 171 and 1 74 then congratulations. You are probably trying to get into one of the top three law schools in the country where those differences matter.
For everyone else, if you score in this range apply wherever you want and watch all sorts of acceptances and scholarships come flooding in. An LSAT score in this range is rare. Law school admissions councils will be drooling over you if you have a score here and your GPA is also good (except Harvard, Yale, Stanford).
Bottom Line – LSAT Score Ranges
The average LSAT score is between a 151 and 152. If you can score in the range of 151 – 160, you can get admitted to law school. To get into a decent law school and possible get scholarship offers you should aim for the 161 – 170 LSAT scoring range. If you attain a high LSAT score in the 171 – 180 range then you will have no problem getting admitted at your desired school. A good LSAT score to aim for is a 163 if you also have a good GPA.
Frequently Asked Questions about LSAT Scores
No. Your undergraduate GPA is equally important for law school admissions as your score on the law school admission test. A good LSAT score alone will not get you in to law school.
Yes. In fact, every top law school is very careful about how many admitted students come from various LSAT scoring percentiles. For test takers, they simply need to focus on getting the highest LSAT score as they can.
A good LSAT score depends on where you want to attend law school. It also depends on your undergraduate GPA. If you have a 2.5 undergraduate GPA it won’t matter if you score above a 170 on the LSAT. Law schools look at both GPA and LSAT score for law school admissions. However, we would consider a 163 or higher a good LSAT score.
Admitted students at prestigious law schools are often scoring above 170. The top six law schools have a median score for admitted students of about 171 and above.