Average LSAT Score: What It Is and What It Means for You
The national average LSAT score is approximately 152, which corresponds to roughly the 52nd percentile. But that single number tells only part of the story. The average varies depending on how you slice the data — first-time test-takers vs. repeat takers, the current year’s score distribution, and the average among admitted students at specific schools.
This guide breaks down the average LSAT score in full context so you can accurately interpret your own score and set realistic targets.
Want to see exactly where your score lands? Use the free LSAT Score Calculator to get your percentile and school-tier fit instantly.
What Is the Average LSAT Score?
According to LSAC data, the mean (average) LSAT score among all test-takers is approximately 151–152. The median — the score that exactly half of all test-takers exceed — sits at approximately 152.
These numbers are relatively stable year to year, though they can shift slightly based on who takes the test in a given cycle.
| Score | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 120 | Lowest possible score |
| ~152 | National average (50th percentile) |
| 160 | Top ~21% of test-takers |
| 170 | Top ~3% of test-takers |
| 180 | Perfect score (top 0.1%) |
Average LSAT Score by School Tier
The national average of 152 is not the relevant benchmark for law school admissions — what matters is the average (median) LSAT score at the specific schools you are targeting. Those averages vary dramatically by tier:
| School Tier | Approximate Median LSAT | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| T3 (YHS) | 174 | Yale, Harvard, Stanford |
| T6 | 172–174 | Columbia, Chicago, NYU |
| T14 | 168–174 | Penn, Duke, Virginia, Michigan, Cornell, Georgetown |
| Top 25 | 163–168 | UCLA, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Emory, BU |
| Top 50 | 157–163 | Loyola, American, Denver, Temple |
| Top 100 | 151–157 | Regional accredited schools |
| All ABA schools | 148–155 | Varies widely |
If your score is at or above a school’s median, you are in the upper half of their admitted class and likely eligible for merit scholarships. If you are below their 25th percentile, admission is difficult without other exceptional factors.
Average LSAT Score for Admitted Students
The average LSAT score among all test-takers (~152) is very different from the average among admitted students at ABA schools. Admitted students across all ABA schools have higher averages — roughly 155–157 — because competitive schools screen for higher scores.
This distinction matters: the relevant average for your application is the median at your target school, not the national average. A 152 is average among test-takers but below average among admitted students at most mid-tier schools.
What Is a “Good” LSAT Score?
“Good” depends entirely on your goals. Here is a practical breakdown:
| Score Range | Percentile | What It Unlocks |
|---|---|---|
| 120–149 | Below 44th | ABA schools with lower selectivity; retake strongly recommended for most goals |
| 150–154 | 44th–64th | Regional accredited schools; viable with strong GPA |
| 155–159 | 66th–77th | Solid regional schools; borderline at some ranked programs |
| 160–164 | 79th–88th | Top 50–100 schools; competitive at many programs |
| 165–169 | 92nd–96th | Top 25–50 schools; scholarship leverage at T14 lower tier |
| 170–180 | 97th–99.9th | T14 competitive; full-ride potential at top 25 schools |
For a deeper breakdown, see What Is a Good LSAT Score?
How Does Your Score Compare to the Average?
Use this as a quick reference:
- Below 152: Below the national average; most mid-tier and above schools will be difficult without a retake
- 152–154: Near or at average; sufficient for admission at many schools, but limited scholarship leverage
- 155–159: Above average; meaningful range for regional schools and borderline competitive at top 50
- 160–164: Well above average; top 50 is realistic; T14 is a reach
- 165–169: Top 5–8% of test-takers; strong T14 candidate at lower-tier schools in that group
- 170+: Top 3%; all schools are in play
Check the LSAT percentile chart for every score from 120–180.
Average LSAT Score Trends Over Time
LSAT scores are scaled and equated so that a 160 in 2020 means the same thing as a 160 in 2025 — the test is designed for score comparability across years. However, the average raw score among test-takers can shift slightly as the applicant pool changes.
A notable change occurred in August 2024: LSAC removed the Logic Games (Analytical Reasoning) section from the LSAT. The current format has two Logical Reasoning sections and one Reading Comprehension section. This change may affect average performance patterns, though it is too early for multi-year data to establish a new baseline.
How to Score Above Average
Scoring above the national average (152) requires a deliberate preparation strategy. Most test-takers who score significantly above average (160+) share several characteristics:
- 3–6 months of structured preparation — not just doing practice tests, but targeted work on each question type
- Error review discipline — analyzing every wrong answer to understand the reasoning failure, not just the right answer
- Timed conditions from early on — practicing under test conditions to build pacing instincts
- Consistent daily practice — the LSAT rewards accumulated repetition, not last-minute cramming
For a full strategy, read the guide on how to improve your LSAT score.
Bottom Line
The national average LSAT score is ~152, but that benchmark is less useful than knowing where your score stands relative to your target schools. A 152 may be average nationally but below average among admitted students at many law schools you are considering.
Use the LSAT Score Calculator to see exactly what your score means for the schools you are targeting — not just where you rank among all test-takers.