The average LSAT score is about 153, which falls right at the 50th percentile. The test is scored on a scale from 120 to 180, so the midpoint of the scale is 150, but the actual average among test takers lands a few points higher. Where your score falls relative to other test takers matters more than the raw number, and understanding the percentile breakdown can help you gauge how competitive you are for different tiers of law schools.
How the LSAT Scoring Scale Works
Every LSAT score falls between 120 and 180. You cannot score a zero; 120 is the floor and 180 is a perfect score. The test uses a curved scoring method where your raw number of correct answers is converted to this scaled score, so the difficulty of a particular test date does not advantage or disadvantage you compared to someone who tested on a different date.
The scale is not evenly distributed. Most test takers cluster in the middle, creating a bell curve. Relatively few people score below 135 or above 170. That clustering is why small score differences in the upper range carry enormous weight in admissions. Moving from a 168 to a 172, for example, jumps you past a much larger share of the test-taking pool than moving from a 148 to a 152.
Score Percentiles at a Glance
Percentiles tell you what percentage of test takers scored below you. Based on LSAC data covering the 2021 through 2024 testing years, here is how key scores translate:
- 153 (50th percentile): You scored higher than half of all test takers. This is the statistical average.
- 160 (75th percentile): You outperformed three out of four test takers. This is generally where competitive admissions to well-regarded regional schools begins.
- 166 (90th percentile): Only 10% of test takers scored at or above this level. A 166 puts you in contention at many top-25 programs.
- 174 (99th percentile): Fewer than 1 in 100 test takers reach this score. This is the median at schools like Yale, Harvard, and the University of Chicago.
Each point matters more as you move up the scale. Gaining five points from 150 to 155 is meaningful, but gaining five points from 165 to 170 is a much bigger leap in percentile ranking.
What Top Law Schools Expect
The most selective law schools have median LSAT scores well above the national average. Among the top-ranked programs, medians cluster between 170 and 175. Schools like Stanford, Columbia, and Cornell report medians of 173. Duke and Michigan sit at 171. A few programs post even higher numbers, with medians reaching 174 or 175.
A median of 173 means half the admitted class scored above 173 and half scored below. You do not need to hit the median to get in, but falling more than two or three points below it significantly reduces your chances unless other parts of your application (GPA, work experience, personal statement) are exceptionally strong. Scoring above the median gives you a real advantage, partly because law schools are motivated to maintain or raise their published statistics.
Outside the top tier, median LSAT scores drop considerably. Schools ranked in the 50 to 100 range often have medians between 155 and 162, and many accredited programs admit students with scores in the high 140s or low 150s.
How the New LSAT Format Affected Scores
Starting in August 2024, LSAC removed the Analytical Reasoning section (commonly called Logic Games) and replaced it with an additional Logical Reasoning section. Many test takers worried this would shift score distributions, but early data shows virtually no change.
LSAC’s own analysis found that August 2024 scores were right in line with August 2023 scores. The percentage of test takers hitting 170 or above was 6.6% in August 2024, compared to 7.6% in August 2023, both within the normal historical range of 4.7% to 7.6% for August administrations. First-time test takers averaged almost exactly the same score as the year before, with a difference of just four one-hundredths of a point. In short, the format change did not make the test easier or harder in any measurable way.
What Your Score Means for Scholarships
Your LSAT score is one of the strongest predictors of merit-based financial aid. Law schools use scholarships strategically to attract students whose scores will raise the school’s published medians, so scoring above a school’s median often triggers larger offers.
The specific thresholds vary widely by school. Some programs tie scholarship percentages directly to LSAT ranges. As a general pattern, scoring five or more points above a school’s median frequently qualifies you for a half-tuition to full-tuition scholarship. Scoring near or slightly below the median may still earn partial aid, but the amounts tend to drop sharply. At schools where the median is around 155, a score of 160 or higher can make you a strong scholarship candidate. At schools with medians in the low 150s, even a 152 or 153 may qualify for substantial funding.
This creates a practical trade-off many applicants face: attending a slightly lower-ranked school with a full scholarship versus paying full tuition at a higher-ranked program. The total cost difference can easily reach $100,000 or more over three years.
How Many Points Above Average You Need
The right target score depends entirely on where you want to go. A 153 is average, but “average” does not mean inadequate. It is a competitive score for many accredited programs. Here is a rough framework:
- 145 to 150: Opens doors at many accredited law schools, though scholarship options are limited.
- 151 to 156: Competitive for a wide range of regional programs, with some merit aid available.
- 157 to 163: Puts you in the running at well-regarded schools ranked in the top 50 to 100, often with meaningful scholarship offers.
- 164 to 169: Competitive at top-25 to top-50 schools and a strong scholarship candidate at programs ranked lower.
- 170 and above: Competitive at the most elite programs in the country. Fewer than 7% of test takers reach this level in a typical administration.
Most people who study seriously improve their score between practice tests and the real exam. The average improvement with structured preparation is roughly 5 to 10 points, though results vary. If your first practice test lands around 150 and you need a 160, that gap is very closeable with consistent work over two to three months.