LSAT Scoring
Overview of LSAT Scoring for the Multiple-Choice Sections of the Exam
Compared to most graduate-level standardized tests, LSAT scoring is fairly simple. Test takers receive a scaled score that ranges from a minimum of 120 to a maximum of 180, scored in increments of one point. This score is based entirely on the number of correct answers given in the exam's multiple-choice sections, Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. Of the four multiple-choice sections in each exam, only three contribute to the test taker's score; the other is experimental. All questions have the same value, and no points are deducted for incorrect answers, which means that there is no penalty for guessing.
The LSAT Argumentatitive Writing Task
The LSAT Argumentative Writing task is neither scored nor formally assessed by LSAC, but it is a proctored portion of the exam. The Writing task is completed entirely online and is not done at the same time as the multiple-choice sections. In fact, the Writing task may be taken up to eight (8) days before the multiple-choice sections or up to one year afterward. Those taking the LSAT for the first time are required to complete the Writing task in order to have a writing sample on file. If you previously took the LSAT within the past five years and completed the Writing task, you don't need to take it again.
Since the Argumentative Writing task is unscored, some students put very little effort into it, but this is a mistake. Copies of Writing task essays are sent to law schools for their review. They are carefully considered by admissions committees, and do factor into acceptance decisions, particularly when candidates are similar across other factors, such as LSAT scores and undergraduate GPAs.
There's also talk of the Argumentative Writing task becoming a scored section of the LSAT. Many students now use AI-assisted programs to write personal statements and complete other parts of law school applications, which can make it challenging for admissions officers to evaluate candidates' writing abilities. While LSAC has stated that the Writing task will remain unscored at least until the fall of 2025, there is a growing possibility it will eventually be scored or considered important in the law school admissions process in other ways in the near future.
LSAT Score Reports
The LSAT score reports sent to institutions and test takers include total scores (on a 120-180 scale) for all LSATs taken over the past five years. Students can take the exam up to five times during the current reportable score period, which goes five years back from the current date, and three times within the current testing year or cycle. However, it's important to remember that LSAC sends all your LSAT scores to law school programs as part of your file.
The only way to avoid having a score you're not happy with on file is to enroll in LSAT Score Preview and cancel your score after it's released to you. Scores canceled through Score Preview are not added to your LSAC file or released to law programs. However, law programs are still able to see that you took the LSAT on a given date and canceled your score, so it's best to carefully think through your particular situation and decide whether canceling a score will truly be beneficial.
LSAC's position on taking the LSAT more than once is that an average of your multiple scores is probably the most accurate indicator of your current knowledge, abilities, and readiness to enroll in law school. At the same time, it is also commonly accepted that law programs only focus on your highest score, rather than an average of two or three attempts.
In addition to your current LSAT score and any past scores, the score report also contains your raw score (the number of questions you answered correctly), your percentile rank (the percentage of test-takers who scored lower than you during the previous three testing years), and your score band (a range of scores that are slightly higher and slightly lower than the score you received to account for any statistical error of measurement).
LSAT score reports are typically sent about three weeks after the exam date, but the Score Release Date for each test administration can easily be found next to the test dates under "Upcoming LSAT Dates" on the LSAC website. LSAC online account holders automatically receive email notification when their score has been posted. Score reports are sent only to the test taker and their designated law schools, and will not be provided to any other third party without the student's consent.
Raw Score Conversion
The term "raw score" refers to the total number of correct answers out of the total number of multiple-choice questions. Because all LSATs are not identical in difficulty level or total number of questions, there can be small differences in how many correct answers are associated with a specific scaled score of 120-180. For example, a student taking one LSAT may have to get 85 correct answers out of 101 questions to receive a score of 165, while someone taking another LSAT may be able to get the same score with just 83 correct answers. The raw score conversion process aims to normalize any testing discrepancies and make the exam as fair as possible for all test takers.
LSAT Score Percentiles
According to LSAC statistics from 2021 to 2024, the median LSAT score over this time period was 153. This means approximately 50% of test takers scored above 153 and approximately 50% scored below it. Roughly 75% of test takers scored below 160 and 25% of test-takers scored below 146. A score of 171 was at the 97th percentile, and less than 1% of test-takers received scores of 174 or above. At the other end of the scale, 88% of all test takers scored at least 140, and less than 5% scored below 135.
Law School LSAT Score Standards
Law schools in the most selective tier almost invariably report median LSAT scores of 170 or above. Examples include Yale Law School (174), Harvard Law School (174), Stanford Law School (173), University of Chicago Law School (173), Columbia University Law School (173), University of Pennsylvania School of Law (172), New York University Law School (172), University of Texas-Austin School of Law (171), and Duke University School of Law (170).
The next tier is represented by median scores in the upper 160s, such as University of Minnesota Law School (169), Vanderbilt University Law School (169), University of Southern California Gould School of Law (169), Brigham Young University Law School (168), University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Law (167), Wake Forest University Law School (166), and Emory University Law School (165).
Law programs with median LSAT scores in the lower 160s include Indiana University-Bloomington Maurer School of Law (164), Baylor University Law School (163), University of Washington School of Law (163), University of Kansas School of Law (161), and University of Connecticut School of Law (161).
Examples of law programs with median LSAT scores in the 150s include Georgia State University College of Law (159), University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law (158), Drexel University Kline School of Law (158), University of New Mexico School of Law (157), Drake University Law School (156), Marquette University Law School (156), and University of New Hampshire Pierce School of Law (155).
Although students at virtually every scoring level may be able to find a suitable law program, higher scores always give an applicant more options for their legal education.