Scaled LSAT scores play a big role in the law school admissions process. However, your LSAT percentile rank, which shows how well you did on the exam compared to past test-takers, is an important factor too. Most law schools only accept applicants who fall into a certain percentile, so knowing your ranking is essential to getting into your chosen institution.
LSAT Scoring
Your LSAT (or LSAT-Flex) score is based on the number of questions you answered correctly — your “raw score.” All test questions are weighted exactly the same. The total number of questions you get right is what matters for your score, not which particular questions you get right or wrong. There is no deduction for incorrect answers.
To make it easier to compare scores earned across different LSAT administrations, your “raw score” is converted to an LSAT scale. This is the score you receive in your score report. The LSAT scale ranges from 120 to 180, with 120 being the lowest possible score and 180 being the highest possible score.
Your LSAT Score Report
Your LSAT Score Report includes:
- Your current score.
- Results of all reportable tests — up to 12 — including absences and cancellations for standard LSAT takers and cancellations only for LSAT-Flex takers due to the ongoing challenges related to COVID-19. An LSAT (or LSAT-Flex) result is reportable for up to five testing years after the testing year in which the score is earned. For information about how many times a test taker may sit for the LSAT, please see Limits on Repeating the LSAT. LSAT testing years run from July 1 through June 30.
- Your percentile rank, which reflects the percentage of test takers whose scores were lower than yours during the previous three testing years. A percentile rank is reported for each of your scores. Note that percentiles for all reported scores will be updated every year by the end of July.
- Your score band.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I get my score?
All test takers will receive their scores on the score release date associated with their test date, provided they have an approved LSAT Writing sample on file and do not have any holds on their account. Your LSAT score will be posted to the LSAT Status page of your LSAC account . You will receive an email when your score is available.
All test takers must have a completed LSAT Writing sample on file in order to see their score or have their score released to law schools. Test takers can complete their LSAT Writing as early as eight (8) days prior to the multiple-choice test.
How do I sign up for LSAT Score Preview?
LSAT Score Preview is available to test takers who wish to see their score before deciding whether to keep it as part of their LSAC file and report it to schools. Score Preview will cost $45 if you sign up prior to the first day of testing for a given test administration, or $75 if you sign up after testing has concluded.
Test takers who sign up for Score Preview will receive their scores at the same time as other test takers (assuming they have an approved LSAT Writing sample on file and have no holds on their accounts), and will have six (6) calendar days from the date their score is released to decide if they want to cancel or keep their score. If they take no action, their scores will be added to their LSAC file and released to schools at the end of the six-day period.
This feature is available for purchase through your LSAC online account .
Can I cancel my LSAT score?
Yes. Should you decide to cancel your LSAT score, you must do so within six (6) calendar days of your test date. You can cancel your score through your LSAC online account or by contacting LSAC directly at [email protected] or 215.968.1001. Please note that this six-day deadline does not apply for test takers who have purchased LSAT Score Preview.
Who receives my score report?
Your score is released only to you and the law schools to which you have applied.
During the registration process, you can request that your score also be released to other law schools (as well as agencies or individuals working on the law schools’ behalf and other eligible programs related to legal education) through the Candidate Referral Service.
You can also have your score released to the prelaw advisor at your undergraduate school. (Receiving LSAT scores enables prelaw advisors to improve their advising, both to you and to other students and alumni of your college.)
Your score will not be released to any other person (including a parent, spouse, friend, etc.).
Scores for the LSAT-Flex (a test with three scored sections and no unscored variable section) will have an annotation that the test was administered in the online, remotely proctored format developed at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic during the period May 2020 through June 2021.
How long can I use my LSAT score for applying to law school?
All of your 12 most recent LSAT (or LSAT-Flex) results will be reported to the law schools to which you apply if earned in the current testing year or if earned in the prior five testing years. (Note that LSAT results include scores, cancellations, and absences. LSAT-Flex results include only scores and cancellations, due to the ongoing challenges related to COVID-19.) Beginning with the 2021-2022 testing year, LSAT testing years run from July through June. For information about how many times a test taker may sit for the LSAT, please see Limits on Repeating the LSAT .
For example, if you apply to a law school in January 2024, any LSAT scores you earn in the July 2023-June 2024 testing year will be reported. Any scores you earned during the following testing years will also be reported:
- July 2022-June 2023
- July 2021-June 2022
- June 2020-June 2021
- June 2019-May 2020
- June 2018-May 2019
If you took the LSAT in June 2018 , you could use this score to apply to law school through June 2024. Results from LSATs prior to June 2018 will not be reported.
I believe there is an error in my LSAT score. What can I do?
LSAC routinely conducts multiple procedures to ensure the accuracy of all test response data before scores are released. Because we go to these great lengths as part of our normal processes, the possibility of finding any scoring errors on computerized tests is extremely small.
However, in response to requests from test takers, LSAC is providing an optional Score Audit service. This service costs $150 (or $75 if you’ve been preapproved for a fee waiver which is noted on your LSAC account). You may request a score audit after you have received your LSAT score. If the score audit results in a score that is different from the original score — higher or lower — the result will be emailed to you and will be reflected in the CAS reports that are transmitted to the law schools to which you apply.
Explore This Section
LSAT Percentiles
Scaled LSAT scores play a big role in the law school admissions process. However, your LSAT percentile rank, which shows how well you did on the exam compared to past test-takers, is an important factor too. Most law schools only accept applicants who fall into a certain percentile, so knowing your ranking is essential to getting into your chosen institution.
LSAT Percentiles Explained
Learn How Ranking Works
- What LSAT score percentiles are
- How to read your LSAT percentile scores
- What constitutes a good LSAT percentile rank
- Common law school acceptance rates for each LSAT percentile
We’ll also provide a table of LSAT scores and percentiles so you can see what scores you need to help your test results rank higher and be more attractive to law schools.
Test Results
Raw Scores, Scaled Scores, & Percentile Ranking
Along with your LSAT raw and scaled scores, your official test results will include your percentile ranking. Percentile scores reveal how well you did compared to those who took the LSAT in the previous three years.
Law schools use this information when publishing data about their acceptance rates, so understanding your rank can help you weigh the odds of getting into your chosen program.
Reading Your Report
General vs. School Specific LSAT Percentiles
When you receive your official exam results, there are two different types of LSAT percentile scores you need to consider:
- General Percentiles: Your score’s general percentile rank shows the percentage of test-takers who scored lower than you during the last three years of LSAT exams. LSAT scores range between 120 and 180, making 152 the median score. Therefore, if you earn a 152 on the test, you will have scored better than 50% of students who took the LSAT in those previous three years.
- School Specific Percentiles: While general percentile scores give you an overview of how your LSAT results compare to the scores of other students, school-specific percentiles tell you what scores your target schools typically accept.
Since the LSAC makes small changes to the LSAT questions and format each year, they analyze tests from previous years for better accuracy. However, the results show relatively small shifts in score and percentile differences.
Evaluating Your Results
What Is a Good LSAT Percentile?
Typically, scoring between the 50th and 75th percentile will increase your chances of law school acceptance. However, like with all standardized tests, a good LSAT percentile is the one that gets you into the program of your choice.
Aim for a score high enough to compete with the top applicants at your target school, or learn the institution’s school-specific percentile and try to score within that range.
Law Schools & Percentiles
The Admissions Process & Your Ranking
Your LSAT percentile score is similar to your numerical score in that it predicts how likely you are to succeed in your chosen law school program. Even the smallest difference in points can largely impact your overall percentile ranking, so LSAT test prep is crucial to earning the best possible scaled and percentile scores.
Law School Acceptance Rates
What Percentiles Law Programs Look For
Acceptable LSAT percentile ranks vary across different law schools, so you’ll need to research the school-specific standards for your chosen programs to learn what scores you need for your application to be successful. Common acceptance rates for each percentile are as follows:
- 25th Percentile: If you fall into a school’s 25th percentile, you only scored better than 25% of the students who have already enrolled in that program. Scores in this percentile rarely make a good impression on law school admissions committees, so earning a ranking of 25% would be less than ideal.
- 50th Percentile: Landing in the school’s 50th percentile means you scored higher than half of the students who are currently enrolled in the program. Since earning an average score shows that you’ve essentially met the minimum requirements, you have a 50/50 chance of acceptance into the school.
- 75th Percentile: Scores in the 75th percentile and above are the most promising results and have the highest rate of acceptance. If you score in the 75th percentile, consider applying to higher-ranked schools to see if they offer more opportunities than a lower-ranking institution.
Whether you land in the 25th percentile or the 95th percentile, it’s important to remember that other details on your application can increase your chances of law school acceptance.
Factors like a high GPA, extracurricular involvement, legal internships, strong recommendations, or a well-written personal statement can impress admissions committees and help you get into your chosen school.
LSAT Percentiles Table
Calculating Your Ranking
Slight changes in raw and scaled scores can have a significant effect on your LSAT scoring percentile. A single point could be the difference between meeting your chosen law school’s standards and deciding to retake the LSAT exam and try for a higher score.
Take a look at the following table from the 2014-2017 testing years to see the percentile rankings for each reported score.
LSAT Scores & Percentiles
| Reported Score | Percentile | Reported Score | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 180 | 99.9 | 149 | 40.5 |
| 179 | 99.9 | 148 | 36.9 |
| 178 | 99.9 | 147 | 33.4 |
| 177 | 99.8 | 146 | 29.9 |
| 176 | 99.7 | 145 | 26.8 |
| 175 | 99.6 | 144 | 23.5 |
| 174 | 99.4 | 143 | 20.8 |
| 173 | 99.1 | 142 | 18.3 |
| 172 | 98.7 | 141 | 15.8 |
| 171 | 98.2 | 140 | 13.6 |
| 170 | 97.5 | 139 | 11.6 |
| 169 | 96.6 | 138 | 9.9 |
| 168 | 95.6 | 137 | 8.3 |
| 167 | 94.4 | 136 | 6.9 |
| 166 | 93.0 | 135 | 5.7 |
| 165 | 91.7 | 134 | 4.8 |
| 164 | 89.6 | 133 | 3.9 |
| 163 | 87.3 | 132 | 3.1 |
| 162 | 85.2 | 131 | 2.5 |
| 161 | 82.7 | 130 | 2.0 |
| 160 | 80.1 | 129 | 1.6 |
| 159 | 77.1 | 128 | 1.3 |
| 158 | 73.8 | 127 | 1.0 |
| 157 | 70.6 | 126 | 0.8 |
| 156 | 67.0 | 125 | 0.6 |
| 155 | 63.4 | 124 | 0.5 |
| 154 | 59.6 | 123 | 0.4 |
| 153 | 55.8 | 122 | 0.3 |
| 152 | 51.8 | 121 | 0.3 |
| 151 | 48.1 | 120 | 0.0 |
| 150 | 44.7 |
LSAT-Flex Scores and Percentiles
Test Format Considerations in the Admissions Process
Those who take the LSAT-Flex exam receive the same 120-180 scoring range and percentile ranking as those who take the test in person. However, the LSAC notes on your score report that you took the online, remote proctored version of the exam. Some law schools may be willing to take the test format into account when considering your LSAT scores and percentile rankings.
