Quick answer: a good LSAT score is 160 or higher. A 160 beats about 71% of test takers and is at or above the median at 112 of the 196 ABA law schools. A decent score is about 155 to 159, and a great score starts around 165. But the score that is good for you depends on your schools.
Check your number in the LSAT score calculator, or use the table below for a quick answer.
What Is a Good LSAT Score? Quick Table
| LSAT score | Rating | Percentile | Schools at or above median | Schools at or above 75th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 145 | Below average | 21.5 | 2 | 1 |
| 150 | Close to average | 36.6 | 14 | 3 |
| 155 | Decent | 54 | 65 | 23 |
| 160 | Good | 71.1 | 112 | 87 |
| 165 | Great | 85.2 | 153 | 137 |
| 170 | Excellent | 94.5 | 179 | 172 |
| 175 | Elite | 98.7 | 196 | 191 |
The numbers come from all 196 ABA law schools. The middle school has a median LSAT of 159, and the average test taker scores about 152. So a score can beat most test takers and still be below many schools’ medians.
What Is a Decent LSAT Score?
A decent LSAT score is about 155 to 159. It beats more than half of test takers, and 56 ABA schools have a median in that range. That opens many regional schools, but a few more points can make a big difference for scholarships.
What Is a Great LSAT Score?
A great LSAT score starts around 165, which beats about 85% of test takers. A 170 or higher is excellent. Only about 5.5% of test takers get there. See the highest LSAT score guide.
A Good LSAT Score for Your Goal
| Your goal | Score to aim for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Top schools (Yale, Harvard, Stanford) | 173 to 174 or higher | Their medians are 173 to 174 |
| Any T14 school | 170 to 174 | T14 medians run from 170 to 174 |
| A strong regional school | 159 to 165 | The middle ABA school has a median of 159 |
| Getting into an ABA school near you | Check its 25th percentile | There is no set minimum |
| A big scholarship | Above the school’s 75th | Merit money mostly goes to students who lift a school’s numbers |
For one school, use what LSAT score do I need. To check all 196 at once, use the law school admissions calculator.
Good LSAT Scores at T14 Schools
| Law school | 25th | Median | 75th | Median GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yale Law | 171 | 174 | 177 | 3.96 |
| Stanford Law | 171 | 173 | 176 | 3.96 |
| Harvard Law School | 171 | 174 | 176 | 3.96 |
| University of Chicago Law | 171 | 174 | 176 | 3.97 |
| Columbia Law | 169 | 173 | 175 | 3.92 |
| NYU Law | 169 | 172 | 174 | 3.92 |
| Penn Carey Law | 167 | 173 | 174 | 3.95 |
| UVA Law | 168 | 173 | 175 | 3.99 |
| Berkeley Law | 167 | 170 | 172 | 3.92 |
| Duke Law | 169 | 171 | 172 | 3.91 |
| Northwestern Law | 167 | 173 | 175 | 3.96 |
| Michigan Law | 168 | 171 | 173 | 3.88 |
| Cornell Law | 168 | 173 | 175 | 3.92 |
| Georgetown Law | 166 | 171 | 173 | 3.93 |
Does Your GPA Change What Counts as Good?
Yes. Schools look at both numbers. If your GPA is above a school’s median, a score near its median can be enough. If your GPA is below the median, you usually need an LSAT above it to stay competitive. Not sure of your GPA? Use the LSAC GPA calculator.
How Long Is an LSAT Score Good For?
LSAC reports a score for up to five testing years after the testing year you earned it. Testing years run from July 1 to June 30. Scores from before July 2021 are no longer valid for law school admission. Check each school too, because a few have their own rules.
Good LSAT Score FAQ
Is a 150 a good LSAT score?
It is a bit below average, at about the 37th percentile. It is at or above the median at 14 ABA schools. See the 150 LSAT score page.
Is a 155 a good LSAT score?
It is decent, at about the 54th percentile, and at or above the median at 65 schools.
Is a 160 a good LSAT score?
Yes. It beats about 71% of test takers and is at or above the median at 112 schools.
Is a 170 a good LSAT score?
Yes, it is excellent. It is at or above the median at 179 schools.
What LSAT score do you need for scholarships?
Any score above a school’s 75th percentile gives you a good shot. Try the law school scholarship calculator.
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.