Your LSAT score is one of the most important numbers in your law school application. But “good” is relative — a score that gets you into one school may be below average at another. This guide breaks down exactly what a good LSAT score looks like depending on your goals, where you stand nationally, and what you should be targeting.
The short answer: a good LSAT score is one that puts you at or above the median of your target law school. That number ranges from 148 at some regional programs to 174 at Harvard Law School.
Use our free LSAT score calculator to instantly see your percentile and which schools are within reach based on your current score.
How the LSAT Is Scored
The LSAT is scored on a scale from 120 to 180. Your raw score — the number of questions you answer correctly — is converted to the 120–180 scaled score through a process called equating. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so always answer every question.
As of August 2024, the LSAT has three scored sections:
- Two Logical Reasoning sections (~46 scored questions total)
- One Reading Comprehension section (~27 scored questions)
That is approximately 73 scored questions total. The Logic Games (Analytical Reasoning) section was permanently removed by LSAC in August 2024. The 120–180 scale remains unchanged.
What Is the Average LSAT Score?
The national average LSAT score is approximately 152, which corresponds to roughly the 50th percentile. Half of all test-takers score below 152, and half score above it.
Here is how the full scoring scale breaks down into performance bands:
| Score Range | Approximate Percentile | Band |
|---|---|---|
| 174–180 | 99th+ | Elite |
| 169–173 | 97–99th | Exceptional |
| 165–168 | 93–97th | Outstanding |
| 160–164 | 80–92nd | Strong |
| 155–159 | 63–78th | Competitive |
| 150–154 | 44–60th | Above Average |
| 145–149 | 26–40th | Below Average |
| 120–144 | Below 24th | Below Median |
Source: LSAC percentile data, 2021–2024 testing years.
What Is a Good LSAT Score for Each School Tier?
The definition of a good LSAT score shifts dramatically depending on where you want to go.
T6 Law Schools (Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Chicago, NYU)
You need 173 or higher to be genuinely competitive. Harvard, Yale, and Stanford all have median LSAT scores of 174. Scores below 170 rarely succeed here without extraordinary circumstances.
T14 Law Schools
Schools like Michigan, Penn, Duke, Virginia, Georgetown, and Northwestern require scores between 166 and 173. Aim for at or above each school’s published median, which you can verify in ABA 509 Required Disclosures.
T25 Law Schools
UCLA, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Emory, and USC Gould typically have medians between 163 and 167. A score of 160+ makes you competitive; 165+ makes you a strong candidate.
T50 Law Schools
For programs like George Washington, Fordham, Arizona State, and Ohio State, the competitive range is roughly 154–162.
Regional and ABA-Accredited Programs
Many solid ABA-accredited law schools have medians in the 145–155 range. A score in the high 140s to mid-150s is competitive depending on GPA and other application factors.
Should You Aim for the Median or Higher?
Always aim for the 75th percentile of your target school, not just the median. Here is why it matters:
- Above the 75th percentile — Strong admissions position; merit scholarships become realistic
- At the median — Competitive; outcome depends heavily on GPA and essays
- At the 25th percentile — Possible admission, but a retake is worth considering
- Below the 25th percentile — Retake strongly recommended before applying
Each school publishes its 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile LSAT scores annually in ABA 509 Required Disclosures. Use those numbers — not informal rankings — to set your target.
Does a High LSAT Score Guarantee Admission?
No. Law school admissions are holistic — your GPA, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and work experience all play a role. But the LSAT carries more weight than any single factor.
Think of your LSAT score as the key that opens the door. A high score earns your application a serious read; what’s inside determines the outcome. A 174 with a 3.5 GPA will generally outperform a 165 with a 3.9 at most T14 schools.
How to Find Out If Your Score Is Good Enough
The fastest way is to compare your score against real data. Use our LSAT score calculator to instantly see your exact percentile based on official LSAC data, which law school tiers are within reach, and whether to apply now or plan a retake.
No sign-up required. Enter your score and get your results in seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 160 a good LSAT score?
Yes. A 160 puts you in approximately the 80th percentile — better than 80% of all test-takers. It is competitive at many T25–T50 programs and a strong foundation for T14 ambitions paired with an excellent GPA.
Is 150 a good LSAT score?
A 150 is at the national average (50th percentile). It is competitive at many ABA-accredited programs but below the median at most T50 schools. If your target schools have medians above 155, a retake is worth planning.
What LSAT score do I need for a full scholarship?
Scoring at or above a school’s 75th percentile LSAT typically puts you in merit scholarship territory. Some schools use automatic scholarship tiers based on LSAT scores — check each school’s scholarship policy directly.
What is the highest LSAT score possible?
180 is a perfect LSAT score, achieved by fewer than 0.1% of test-takers. A score of 175+ is elite and competitive at every law school in the country, including Yale, Harvard, and Stanford.
Can I get into a T14 school with a 165 LSAT?
Yes, depending on the school. Georgetown and UT Austin have medians around 166–168, making 165 near-competitive. At Michigan, Penn, or Duke (medians 170+), a 165 is below median but not disqualifying with an exceptional GPA and application.
How much does the LSAT matter compared to GPA?
Both matter significantly. The LSAT typically carries slightly more weight, partly because undergraduate GPAs vary across institutions while the LSAT is a standardized comparison. At top schools, even a 2–3 point LSAT difference can meaningfully affect your odds.
What is the minimum LSAT score for law school?
There is no universal minimum. In practice, scores below 145 make admission to ABA-accredited programs very difficult. ABA accreditation is required for bar exam eligibility in most U.S. states.
The Bottom Line
A good LSAT score is one that is competitive at the schools you want to attend. For most applicants, that means targeting the median of your top-choice programs and pushing for the 75th percentile to open scholarship opportunities and strengthen your position.
Not sure where your score stands? Use our free LSAT score calculator to get your percentile, see your school-tier fit, and get a clear next step — no sign-up needed.