LSAT Frequently Asked Questions

LSAT scores range from 120 (lowest possible) to 180 (perfect score). Most test-takers score between 140 and 165.

The national average LSAT score is approximately 152, which corresponds to the ~50th percentile of all test-takers.

Your raw score (number of correct answers) is converted to a scaled score between 120–180 using LSAC's equating process, which accounts for slight difficulty variations between test versions.

Yes. Starting August 2024, LSAC removed the Logic Games (Analytical Reasoning) section. The current LSAT has 2 Logical Reasoning sections and 1 Reading Comprehension section — approximately 73 scored questions.

The LSAT multiple-choice portion takes approximately 2 hours 20 minutes. There is also a separate unscored LSAT Writing section (35 minutes) completed online.

A score of 160+ is generally considered strong (top 20%). 165+ is excellent (top 7%) and competitive for T14 schools. 170+ is exceptional (top 3%) and competitive for any law school in the country.

A 155 corresponds to approximately the 63rd percentile — you scored higher than about 63% of all test-takers.

A 160 corresponds to approximately the 80th percentile.

A 165 corresponds to approximately the 93rd percentile.

A 170 corresponds to approximately the 98th percentile.

Percentiles are recalculated each year based on the pool of test-takers in the most recent three-year period. As the composition of test-takers changes, the same scaled score may correspond to a slightly different percentile.

Most T14 schools have median LSAT scores between 163 and 175. Yale, Harvard, and Stanford have medians of 173–175. Cornell and Georgetown have medians around 166–168. The higher, the better — your LSAT is one of the most weighted factors in law school admissions.

Most law schools report the highest LSAT score to USNWR rankings, but LSAC sends all scores to schools. Many schools consider all attempts, though policies vary. Generally, a significantly improved retake score works in your favor.

Even 1–2 points can matter at competitive schools where many applicants cluster near the median. More importantly, score bands (e.g., moving from 163 to 166) can open significantly different tiers of schools and scholarship opportunities.

Partially. Law schools use an index that combines both, but the LSAT generally carries more weight because it is standardized. A very high GPA (3.8+) can help offset a lower LSAT, but the effect diminishes at highly selective schools.

You can take the LSAT up to 3 times in a single testing year, 5 times in a 5-year period, and 7 times in total over your lifetime.

If your score is below the 25th percentile of your target schools, a retake is worth considering. Most test-takers improve 2–5 points on their second attempt. With structured prep (3–6 months), improvements of 8–12 points are achievable.

The average improvement is 2–4 scaled points. However, with dedicated prep (timed practice tests, targeted drilling), improvements of 8–15 points are common for those who identify and address weaknesses systematically.

Plan to take the LSAT at least 3–6 months before your application deadline. Most early application deadlines fall in November–December, so an August or October LSAT is ideal for that cycle. Taking it in the spring of your junior year allows time to retake in the fall if needed.