There is no passing score on the LSAT. The test is scored on a scale from 120 to 180, and every score within that range is a valid result. Unlike the bar exam or a licensing test, the LSAT has no cutoff that separates “pass” from “fail.” The score you need depends entirely on which law schools you want to get into.
How LSAT Scoring Works
Your raw score, which is simply the number of questions you answer correctly, gets converted to a scaled score between 120 and 180. This conversion exists so scores from different test dates can be compared on equal footing. You receive the scaled score in your score report, and that number is what law schools see.
The median score falls right around 151 to 153. A 153 puts you at roughly the 49th percentile, meaning you scored higher than about half of all test takers. A 150 lands at the 38th percentile. These numbers come from LSAC’s percentile data covering the 2022 through 2025 testing years.
What Scores Law Schools Actually Want
Every ABA-accredited law school publishes the LSAT range of its admitted students, typically reporting the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile scores. These numbers tell you where you realistically need to land to be competitive.
At the most selective schools in the country, median LSAT scores for enrolled students cluster around 173 to 175, which puts you above roughly 98% of all test takers. Schools ranked just outside that top tier post medians in the 168 to 171 range. For context, a 170 is a 95th-percentile score, meaning only about 5% of test takers reach it.
Mid-ranked law schools typically have medians between 158 and 166. A 160 (73rd percentile) opens the door to a solid range of programs. Schools with less selective admissions may enroll students with medians in the low 150s or even high 140s. Some accredited programs admit students with scores in the low 140s, though at that level your options narrow significantly.
Score Targets by Competitiveness
- 170 and above (95th percentile or higher): Competitive at the most elite law schools. A 175 puts you above nearly 99% of test takers.
- 160 to 169 (73rd to 94th percentile): Strong range for well-regarded regional and national programs. Many schools with solid employment outcomes have medians in this band.
- 150 to 159 (38th to 70th percentile): Viable for a wide range of accredited law schools. A 155 (56th percentile) is above average among all test takers.
- Below 150 (below 38th percentile): Limits your options considerably but does not lock you out of law school entirely. Some accredited programs accept students in this range.
Your Score Is Only Part of the Picture
Law schools weigh your LSAT score heavily, but it is not the only factor. Your undergraduate GPA, personal statement, letters of recommendation, work experience, and other application components all matter. A strong GPA or compelling life experience can offset a score that falls below a school’s median. Likewise, a high LSAT score can compensate for a lower GPA.
That said, the LSAT carries outsized weight because law school rankings factor in the median scores of admitted students. Schools have a direct incentive to admit applicants with higher scores, which means your LSAT number often functions as the single biggest lever in your application.
Retaking the LSAT
If your score falls short of where you want it, retaking is common. Most law schools consider your highest score, though some look at an average or consider all scores on your record. You can take the LSAT up to three times in a single testing year, five times within five years, and seven times total over your lifetime.
Scores tend to improve modestly on a second attempt, especially with focused preparation between sittings. If your practice tests consistently run higher than your actual score, a retake is worth serious consideration. Jumping even two or three points can shift you into a meaningfully different applicant pool, particularly in the ranges where a few points separate one tier of schools from another. A move from 158 to 162, for example, takes you from the 66th percentile to the 79th.
How to Find a School’s Score Range
LSAC maintains a searchable database of every ABA-accredited law school, including each program’s 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile LSAT scores for the most recent entering class. Look up schools you are interested in and compare your score (or target score) to their 25th percentile number. If you are at or above a school’s 25th percentile, you are within its admitted range. If you are at or above the median, you are a competitive applicant by the numbers alone.