When you finish an LSAT practice test, you get two numbers: a raw score and a scaled score. Most people focus on the scaled score — the familiar 120–180 number — but understanding how the conversion works helps you set smarter study goals and interpret your practice test results accurately.
This guide explains the raw-to-scaled conversion process, shows you the approximate conversion chart for the current LSAT format, and tells you what to do with that information when planning your prep.
Once you know your scaled score, use our free LSAT score calculator to instantly see your percentile and which law schools are within reach.
What Is an LSAT Raw Score?
Your raw score is simply the total number of questions you answered correctly on the LSAT. There is no penalty for wrong answers — a skipped question and a wrong answer both count as zero. So your raw score equals the number of correct answers, nothing more.
On the current LSAT format (post-August 2024), there are approximately 73 scored questions across three sections:
- Two Logical Reasoning sections — approximately 46 questions total
- One Reading Comprehension section — approximately 27 questions
If you answer 55 of those 73 questions correctly, your raw score is 55. That raw score is then converted to a scaled score somewhere on the 120–180 scale.
What Is an LSAT Scaled Score?
The scaled score is the 120–180 number that law schools actually see. It is derived from your raw score through a process called equating, which adjusts for slight differences in difficulty between different test administrations.
A raw score of 55 on one test might equal a 162, while a 55 on a harder test might equal a 163 or 164. This is intentional — equating ensures that a 165 means the same thing regardless of which test date you took.
The practical implication: do not compare raw scores across different PrepTests or test administrations. Only scaled scores are directly comparable.
LSAT Raw Score to Scaled Score Conversion Chart
The table below shows approximate scaled scores for raw scores on the current three-section LSAT format (~73 scored questions). Because equating adjusts each test individually, treat these as estimates — your actual conversion may vary by 1–2 points.
| Raw Score (Correct Answers) | Approximate Scaled Score | Approximate Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 73 (perfect) | 180 | 99.9th |
| 71–72 | 178–179 | 99.9th |
| 69–70 | 176–177 | 99.7th |
| 67–68 | 174–175 | 99.2nd |
| 65–66 | 172–173 | 98.4th |
| 63–64 | 170–171 | 96.9th |
| 61–62 | 168–169 | 94.6th |
| 59–60 | 166–167 | 91.2nd |
| 57–58 | 164–165 | 86.4th |
| 55–56 | 162–163 | 80.4th |
| 53–54 | 160–161 | 73.5th |
| 51–52 | 158–159 | 65.7th |
| 49–50 | 156–157 | 57.5th |
| 47–48 | 154–155 | 48.8th |
| 45–46 | 152–153 | 40.2nd |
| 43–44 | 150–151 | 31.9th |
| 41–42 | 148–149 | 24.5th |
| 38–40 | 145–147 | 16.4th |
| 34–37 | 141–144 | 9.0th |
| 29–33 | 136–140 | 4.0th |
| Below 29 | 120–135 | Below 2nd |
These figures are approximations based on the current 3-section LSAT format. Each official test administration has its own specific conversion table. For PrepTest-specific conversions, use the answer key included with that PrepTest.
How LSAT Equating Works
Equating is the statistical process LSAC uses to ensure scores are comparable across test dates. Here is how it works in plain terms:
- Each LSAT administration includes questions that have been pre-tested on previous administrations (these appear in the unscored experimental section).
- LSAC uses the difficulty data from those anchor questions to calibrate the current test’s conversion table.
- If a test is slightly harder than average, fewer correct answers are needed to achieve the same scaled score. If it is slightly easier, more correct answers are required.
The result: a 170 means the same thing whether you took the LSAT in June or November. This is by design — it protects both test-takers and law schools from score inflation or deflation caused by test difficulty variation.
Raw Score vs. Scaled Score: Which Should You Track in Prep?
During practice, track both — but think in scaled scores.
Raw scores are useful for diagnosing section-level performance. If you are getting 18 out of 23 Logical Reasoning questions right but only 20 out of 27 on Reading Comprehension, you know exactly where to focus.
Scaled scores are what matter for your goal. Set your target as a scaled score (for example, 165), then work backward to understand how many raw score points that requires across sections.
For a deeper look at how practice test scores translate to real test scores, see our guide on LSAT PrepTest scores and how to use them.
What About Pre-2024 PrepTests?
PrepTests published before the August 2024 format change included four scored sections: two Logical Reasoning sections, one Reading Comprehension section, and one Logic Games (Analytical Reasoning) section, plus an unscored experimental section.
Those tests had approximately 101 scored questions — significantly more than the current 73. The raw-to-scaled conversion tables for older PrepTests do not apply to the current format. Always use the conversion chart that came with the specific PrepTest you are using.
The scaled score range (120–180) and the equating process are unchanged. Only the raw score inputs differ.
How Many Questions Can You Afford to Miss?
One of the most practical applications of the conversion chart is understanding your error budget — how many questions you can miss while still hitting your target score.
On the current 73-question format:
- To score 180: you can miss 0–1 questions
- To score 175: you can miss approximately 4–5 questions
- To score 170: you can miss approximately 9–10 questions
- To score 165: you can miss approximately 15–16 questions
- To score 160: you can miss approximately 20–21 questions
- To score 155: you can miss approximately 25–26 questions
This framing shifts how you study. Instead of trying to get everything right, focus on eliminating errors in your strongest section types first — high-yield questions where improvement is fastest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I calculate my exact scaled score from my raw score?
Not exactly — each test administration has a unique conversion table due to equating. The chart above gives accurate approximations for the current format, but your official score may differ by 1–2 points. For practice PrepTests, use the specific conversion table included with that test.
Does LSAC publish the raw-to-scaled conversion tables?
LSAC publishes conversion tables as part of official PrepTest materials through their LawHub platform. They do not publish a universal conversion chart because equating makes each test’s table unique.
If I get the same raw score on two different tests, will I get the same scaled score?
Not necessarily. Equating adjusts for test difficulty, so a 55 raw score on a harder test might yield a higher scaled score than a 55 on an easier test. This is intentional and fair to all test-takers.
Do wrong answers hurt my LSAT score?
No. Wrong answers and blank answers both count as zero. There is no penalty for guessing, so you should always answer every question — even if you are not sure of the answer.
How does the 2024 format change affect raw score conversion?
The removal of Logic Games reduced the total scored questions from ~101 to ~73. The raw score scale naturally changed with it, but the 120–180 scaled score range and equating process are identical. Conversion tables for new-format PrepTests (PT 101 and above on LawHub) reflect the current format.
The Bottom Line
Your raw score is the input; your scaled score is what law schools see. Understanding the conversion helps you set realistic prep targets, interpret your practice test results correctly, and know exactly how many questions you need to get right to hit your goal.
Know your scaled score? Use our LSAT score calculator to find your percentile, see your school-tier fit, and get your recommended next step. Or read our guide on what makes a good LSAT score to understand where your target falls in the broader admissions landscape.