Quick answer: there is no passing score on the LSAT. You cannot pass or fail it, and there is no pass rate. You get a score from 120 to 180, and each law school decides what it will accept. In practice, a score of 150 or higher is at or above the 25th percentile at 37 of the 196 ABA law schools.
So the real question is whether your score is high enough for the schools you want.
Why the LSAT Has No Passing Score
The LSAT is a ranking test, not a pass or fail exam. LSAC gives you a scaled score and a percentile, and law schools use them to compare applicants. This is different from the bar exam, which does have a passing score set by each state. See the LSAT vs the bar exam.
What Score Do You Need to “Pass” the LSAT?
Since no pass line exists, it helps to see what different scores can do:
| LSAT score | Percentile | At or above the 25th at | At or above the median at |
|---|---|---|---|
| 140 | 11 | 2 schools | 1 schools |
| 145 | 21.5 | 5 schools | 2 schools |
| 150 | 36.6 | 37 schools | 14 schools |
| 155 | 54 | 99 schools | 65 schools |
| 160 | 71.1 | 148 schools | 112 schools |
| 165 | 85.2 | 175 schools | 153 schools |
| 170 | 94.5 | 192 schools | 179 schools |
Out of 196 ABA law schools. A score below a school’s 25th percentile does not rule you out, but it makes admission much harder.
Is There a Minimum LSAT Score for Law School?
No official minimum exists. These ABA schools have the lowest 25th percentile scores:
| Law school | 25th | Median | 75th | Median GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pontifical Catholic University Puerto Rico Law | 136 | 139 | 143 | 3.33 |
| Inter American University Puerto Rico Law | 140 | 144 | 148 | 3.39 |
| Appalachian Law | 145 | 146 | 151 | 3.20 |
| Southern University Law | 145 | 147 | 150 | 3.15 |
| WMU Cooley Law | 145 | 147 | 151 | 3.09 |
| SIU Law | 146 | 149 | 155 | 3.38 |
Before you choose a low-median school, check its bar passage and job results in its ABA disclosures. See the lowest LSAT score guide.
What If Your Score Feels Too Low?
- Compare it with your schools in the law school admissions calculator.
- Look at what a retake could add. See should I retake the LSAT.
- Set a goal with the LSAT score goal calculator and read how to improve your LSAT score.
LSAT Passing Score FAQ
What is a passing LSAT score?
There is none. Schools set their own standards.
What is the LSAT pass rate?
The LSAT has no pass rate because nobody passes or fails. The closest number is your percentile.
Is a 140 a passing score?
There is no pass line, but a 140 is below the 25th percentile at 194 of 196 ABA schools.
What is a good LSAT score?
A 160 or higher is good for many schools. See what is a good LSAT score.
Sources
Percentiles come from LSAC data for the 2023 to 2026 testing years. School numbers come from the 2025 ABA 509 disclosures, shown on each school’s page. Raw score numbers are our estimate for a typical test, built from published charts. They are not official, and each real test has its own chart. See LSAC on LSAT scoring.