Your LSAT scaled score only tells part of the story. What really matters in law school admissions is your percentile — where your score ranks compared to every other test-taker in the country. A 160 sounds impressive, but is it the 73rd percentile or the 80th? The difference matters when schools are comparing applicants.
This guide gives you the complete LSAT percentile chart for every score from 120 to 180, explains how percentiles work, and shows you how to use your percentile to evaluate your law school options.
Already have your score? Use our LSAT score calculator to instantly see your percentile, your school-tier fit, and your recommended next step — no sign-up required.
What Is an LSAT Percentile?
Your LSAT percentile tells you what percentage of test-takers scored below you. If you scored in the 80th percentile, you performed better than 80% of all LSAT test-takers in the reference period.
LSAC calculates percentiles using data from the most recent three testing years. This means percentiles shift slightly over time as the test-taking population changes. The data below reflects official LSAC percentiles for the 2021–2024 testing period.
Percentile matters more than raw score in law school admissions because schools report their 25th, 50th (median), and 75th percentile LSAT scores in their ABA 509 Required Disclosures — and those numbers directly shape how competitive your application looks.
Complete LSAT Percentile Chart (120–180)
The table below shows the approximate percentile rank for every LSAT scaled score. Use it to find exactly where your score places you nationally.
| Scaled Score | Percentile Rank | Band |
|---|---|---|
| 180 | 99.9th | Elite |
| 179 | 99.9th | Elite |
| 178 | 99.9th | Elite |
| 177 | 99.8th | Elite |
| 176 | 99.6th | Elite |
| 175 | 99.4th | Elite |
| 174 | 99.1th | Elite |
| 173 | 98.7th | Elite |
| 172 | 98.1th | Exceptional |
| 171 | 97.4th | Exceptional |
| 170 | 96.5th | Exceptional |
| 169 | 95.4th | Exceptional |
| 168 | 93.9th | Exceptional |
| 167 | 92.3th | Outstanding |
| 166 | 90.1th | Outstanding |
| 165 | 87.7th | Outstanding |
| 164 | 85.0th | Outstanding |
| 163 | 82.0th | Outstanding |
| 162 | 78.7th | Strong |
| 161 | 75.3th | Strong |
| 160 | 71.6th | Strong |
| 159 | 67.8th | Strong |
| 158 | 63.7th | Strong |
| 157 | 59.6th | Competitive |
| 156 | 55.3th | Competitive |
| 155 | 50.9th | Competitive |
| 154 | 46.6th | Competitive |
| 153 | 42.3th | Competitive |
| 152 | 38.0th | Average |
| 151 | 33.8th | Average |
| 150 | 29.9th | Average |
| 149 | 26.2th | Below Average |
| 148 | 22.8th | Below Average |
| 147 | 19.8th | Below Average |
| 146 | 17.0th | Below Average |
| 145 | 14.5th | Below Average |
| 144 | 12.3th | Below Median |
| 143 | 10.3th | Below Median |
| 142 | 8.6th | Below Median |
| 141 | 7.1th | Below Median |
| 140 | 5.8th | Below Median |
| 139 | 4.7th | Below Median |
| 138 | 3.8th | Below Median |
| 137 | 3.0th | Below Median |
| 136 | 2.4th | Below Median |
| 135 | 1.9th | Below Median |
| 134 | 1.4th | Below Median |
| 133 | 1.1th | Below Median |
| 132 | 0.8th | Below Median |
| 131 | 0.6th | Below Median |
| 130 | 0.4th | Below Median |
| 120–129 | Below 0.4th | Below Median |
Source: LSAC percentile data, 2021–2024 testing years. Percentiles are approximate and rounded. For exact figures, see the official LSAC percentile tables.
Key Percentile Benchmarks to Know
These are the percentile milestones that matter most in law school admissions:
- 180 (99.9th percentile) — Perfect score. Fewer than 0.1% of test-takers achieve this.
- 174 (99th percentile) — The median LSAT at Harvard, Yale, and Stanford. Top 1% nationally.
- 170 (96th percentile) — Competitive at every T14 school. Top 4% nationally.
- 165 (88th percentile) — Strong for T14 programs; excellent for T25. Top 12% nationally.
- 160 (72nd percentile) — Above average; competitive at T25–T50 schools.
- 155 (51st percentile) — Just above the national median.
- 152 (38th percentile) — The national average score.
- 150 (30th percentile) — Below the median; competitive at regional programs.
- 145 (15th percentile) — Below most ABA-accredited school medians.
How to Use Your Percentile in Law School Research
Your percentile is most useful when you compare it directly to each school’s published data. Every ABA-accredited law school reports three numbers annually: their 25th percentile LSAT, median LSAT, and 75th percentile LSAT.
Here is how to interpret your position:
- Above the 75th percentile — You are a numerical asset to that school. Strong chance of admission and scholarship consideration.
- Between the median and 75th — You are competitive. Your GPA and application quality will determine the outcome.
- At the 25th percentile — Admission is possible but not likely without a strong overall application. Consider whether a retake makes sense.
- Below the 25th percentile — Your application faces a significant numbers disadvantage. A retake is strongly recommended.
To understand what your score means for specific schools, read our guide to LSAT scores for T14 law schools or our breakdown of what makes a good LSAT score across all tiers.
Did the 2024 LSAT Format Change Affect Percentiles?
LSAC removed the Logic Games (Analytical Reasoning) section in August 2024. The scoring scale (120–180) was not changed, and LSAC stated that the format change was not expected to shift percentile ranks meaningfully. Law schools continue to interpret scores using the same percentile framework.
If you took the LSAT before August 2024 (when Logic Games were still on the exam), your score and percentile remain valid and are interpreted the same way by admissions offices.
What If Your Score Is Below the Median?
If your percentile is below the median of your target schools, you have two realistic paths:
- Retake the LSAT — Most test-takers improve 2–5 points on a retake with proper preparation. A structured 3–6 month study plan can yield larger gains. Read our guide on when to retake the LSAT to decide if it makes sense for you.
- Adjust your school list — Apply to schools where your score is at or above their median, and consider schools where you would be a strong candidate for merit scholarships.
Our LSAT score calculator shows you exactly which school tiers match your current score and gives you a personalized recommendation on next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentile is a 160 LSAT score?
A 160 is approximately the 72nd percentile, meaning you scored higher than about 72% of all test-takers in the reference period. It is a strong score for T25–T50 programs and a competitive starting point for T14 ambitions.
What percentile is a 170 LSAT score?
A 170 is approximately the 96th–97th percentile. It places you in the top 4% of all test-takers and makes you competitive at every T14 law school.
What percentile is a 155 LSAT score?
A 155 is approximately the 51st percentile — just above the national average. It is competitive at many T50 programs but below the median at most T25 schools.
Do LSAT percentiles change every year?
Yes, slightly. LSAC recalculates percentiles using data from the most recent three testing years. As the test-taking population shifts, the same scaled score may correspond to a slightly different percentile. Changes are generally small year over year.
Is a higher LSAT percentile always better?
In law school admissions, yes — a higher percentile means you are outperforming more applicants. However, the practical goal is to hit the percentile needed for your target schools, not to maximize your score beyond what those schools require.
Where can I find official LSAT percentile data?
LSAC publishes official LSAT percentile tables on their website (lsac.org). The data is updated annually and covers the most recent three-year testing period.
The Bottom Line
Your LSAT percentile is the number law schools actually care about — it tells them exactly where you stand relative to every other applicant in the pool. Use the chart above to find your percentile, then compare it against the 25th, median, and 75th percentile LSAT scores at your target schools.
Want to go deeper? Use our free LSAT score calculator to instantly see your percentile and school-tier fit, or read our full guide on what the LSAT score range means to understand the full picture.