LSAT Percentile Calculator

Q: What percentile is a 170 LSAT score?

A 170 LSAT score is approximately the 97.4th percentile, meaning you scored higher than about 97.4% of test takers. This puts you in elite territory—competitive for all T14 law schools and likely to receive significant scholarship offers from lower-ranked schools. Only about 2.6% of LSAT takers score 170 or higher.

Q: Is 160 a good LSAT score?

Yes, 160 is a good LSAT score—it's around the 74th percentile. This makes you competitive for Top 50-100 law schools and many regional flagships. You'll likely get into multiple decent programs and may receive scholarship offers. However, 160 is below median for T14 schools, so those would be significant reaches unless you have an exceptional GPA (3.9+) or unique softs.

Q: What LSAT score do I need for Harvard Law?

Harvard Law's median LSAT is typically 173-174. To be competitive, you generally want at least a 170, and ideally 172+. Below 170, you'd need an exceptional GPA (3.95+), strong softs (prestigious work experience, publications, unique perspective), or diversity factors. The 25th percentile at Harvard is usually around 170, meaning 75% of admits scored 170 or higher.

Q: What is the average LSAT score?

The average LSAT score is approximately 150, which corresponds to around the 37-41st percentile range. However, this is the average across all test takers, including people who aren't seriously preparing or applying. Among successful law school applicants, the average is higher—probably around 155-157. For context, the average at any ABA-accredited law school is typically 150+.

Q: Can I get into law school with a 150 LSAT?

Yes, many law schools accept 150 LSATs. Most regional law schools and some ranked programs have median scores around 150-155. However, admission also depends on your GPA—ideally you'd want at least a 3.5+ to pair with a 150 LSAT. Be selective about cost: don't pay full price for a low-ranked school with a 150 LSAT unless you have a clear regional employment plan and minimal debt.

Q: How rare is a 175+ LSAT score?

A 175+ LSAT score is extremely rare—approximately 0.5% of all test takers score in this range. In a typical year with 150,000 LSAT takers, only about 750 people score 175 or higher. These scores are competitive for any law school in the country, including Yale and Stanford, and virtually guarantee full-ride scholarships at any school outside the top 3.

Q: Does retaking the LSAT hurt your chances?

No, retaking the LSAT does not hurt your chances—most law schools only consider your highest score. Some schools average multiple scores, but this practice is dying out. If you think you can improve by 3+ points, retake it. However, don't retake just to go from 168 to 169; the improvement needs to be meaningful (usually 3-5+ points) to justify the time investment and application delay.

Q: What's the highest LSAT score possible?

The highest possible LSAT score is 180, which is a perfect score. Approximately 0.1% of test takers score 180 in any given year—that's about 100-150 people annually out of 150,000 test takers. A 180 guarantees admission to virtually any law school and full-ride scholarship offers from nearly everyone outside HYS. Even at Yale, a 180 makes you a strong candidate though still not guaranteed admission.

Q: How much does LSAT score matter for scholarships?

LSAT score is the single biggest factor for merit scholarships. Law schools use scholarships to improve their median LSAT for US News rankings, so they target applicants above their median. If you're at the 75th percentile of a school's range, you'll likely get significant money (half to full tuition). If you're below median, scholarship chances drop dramatically. Generally, every 3-5 points of LSAT improvement can mean tens of thousands more in scholarship money.

Q: Can a high GPA offset a low LSAT score?

Partially, but not entirely. If you have a 3.9 GPA and a 160 LSAT, you're a 'reverse splitter'—high GPA, relatively lower LSAT. This helps, but you're still limited by the LSAT. Law schools report median LSAT scores to US News, so they're very sensitive to admitting people below their LSAT median. Your 3.9 GPA might get you into some T20-30 schools, but you're unlikely to get into T14 with a 160 no matter how high your GPA is.

Find your score ranking and law school chances instantly

Official LSAC Data • T14 Analysis • Scholarship Competitiveness

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What Is a Good LSAT Score?

A “good” LSAT score depends entirely on your law school goals. The LSAT ranges from 120 to 180, with 150 being roughly average. But let’s be honest—if you’re aiming for competitive law schools, “average” isn’t going to cut it.

Here’s the reality: a 160 puts you in the top 25% of test takers and opens doors to solid regional schools and some ranked programs. A 165 lands you in the top 10-15% and makes you competitive for Top 50 schools. Hit 170, and you’re in the top 3%—that’s T14 (Top 14) law school territory where Harvard, Yale, and Stanford live.

Quick LSAT Score Breakdown

LSAT Score	Percentile	Tier	Law School Range
175-180	99th+	Elite	Top 3 (HYS) + full rides everywhere
170-174	97-99th	Exceptional	T14 competitive, large scholarships
165-169	89-96th	Strong	Top 20-50, good scholarship chances
160-164	74-86th	Above Average	Top 50-100, regional flagships
155-159	55-70th	Average+	Regional schools, some ranked programs
150-154	37-51st	Average	Most regional schools, limited scholarships
145-149	23-34th	Below Average	Lower-ranked regional schools
<145	<23rd	Challenging	Very limited options, reconsider timing

The median matters more than you think: Law schools report median LSAT scores to US News for rankings. If you’re above a school’s median (usually by even 1-2 points), you’re helping their ranking and become significantly more attractive. If you’re below median, you need stellar softs (GPA, work experience, diversity factors) to offset it.

LSAT Percentile Meaning

Your LSAT percentile tells you what percentage of test takers scored lower than you. A 165 LSAT score at the 89th percentile means you scored higher than 89% of everyone who took the test.

Unlike college admissions tests like the SAT where the pool includes lots of students who aren’t serious about academics, the LSAT pool is pre-filtered. Everyone taking the LSAT is already college-educated and considering law school. You’re competing against motivated, capable people—not a random sample of the population.

Why percentiles compress at the top: The difference between 160 and 165 is about 15 percentile points (74th to 89th). But the difference between 170 and 175 is only 2 percentile points (97.4th to 99.5th). Each additional point at the top is exponentially rarer because you’re outperforming an increasingly elite group.

This compression matters for applications. A 171 vs 173 looks similar on paper (both 98th percentile range), but the 173 can be the difference between a reach school and a target. Law schools don’t just look at percentiles—they care about the raw score because that’s what gets reported to US News.

LSAT Score vs Law School Tiers

Law school admissions is a numbers game. Your LSAT score and GPA matter more than your personal statement, letters of recommendation, or any soft factors. There are exceptions (recruited athletes, extreme diversity cases, decades of work experience), but for 95% of applicants, it’s LSAT + GPA that determines your admissions outcomes.

T14 Law Schools (Target: 170+)

The T14 (Top 14) is the elite tier: Yale, Stanford, Harvard, Chicago, Columbia, NYU, Penn, UVA, Michigan, Duke, Northwestern, Berkeley, Cornell, and Georgetown. These schools have dominated the top 14 spots in US News rankings for decades.

Median LSAT scores at T14 schools:

Yale, Stanford, Harvard (HYS): 173-175. These are the most selective law schools in the country. A 170 is below median at all three.
Columbia, Chicago, NYU, Penn: 171-173. Still brutally competitive.
UVA, Michigan, Duke, Northwestern: 169-171. Slightly more accessible but still elite.
Berkeley, Cornell, Georgetown: 167-170. The “easiest” T14 schools (but still harder than 99% of law schools).

Real talk: a 170 LSAT makes you competitive for the lower T14 if your GPA is strong (3.7+). For HYS, you probably need 173+ unless you have exceptional softs. The median admit at Yale had a 174 LSAT in recent cycles.

Top 50 Law Schools (Target: 160-169)

The Top 20-50 schools include strong regional powerhouses and national programs that don’t quite crack the T14: schools like UT Austin, UCLA, Vanderbilt, USC, BU, Fordham, and many others.

A 165 makes you competitive for most of this tier. A 160 puts you in the mix for the lower Top 50 schools. These programs still place well in Big Law (the top law firms), especially if you’re aiming to work in that school’s region.

Scholarship chances improve dramatically here. While T14 schools can be stingy with money (they don’t need to bribe top applicants), Top 20-50 schools use scholarships to compete for students with 165+ LSATs. You might get half-tuition to full-tuition scholarships if you’re above median.

Regional Law Schools (Target: 150-159)

These are solid schools that place well locally but don’t have national reach: state flagship law schools, regional privates, and established local programs. A 155 is competitive for most of these. A 150 gets you in the door at many.

The value proposition here depends heavily on location and cost. If you want to practice law in a specific city or state, the local regional school might be your best move—especially if they offer significant scholarship money. But be very cautious about paying sticker price ($150K+ in debt) for a regional school. The job market doesn’t always justify the investment.

LSAT vs GPA: What Matters More?

Both matter, but they matter differently depending on your target schools. The conventional wisdom is that LSAT and GPA are weighted roughly equally, but that’s oversimplified.

LSAT advantages:

You can change it. Your undergrad GPA is locked, but you can retake the LSAT.
It’s standardized. A 170 from anywhere means the same thing. A 3.8 from Harvard vs a 3.8 from a no-name school are different.
Law schools report median LSAT scores to US News. Being above median LSAT helps them more than being above median GPA in many cases.
LSAT correlates with bar passage rates, so schools care about it for accreditation.

GPA advantages:

It shows sustained effort over 4 years vs 3 hours on test day.
For splitters (high LSAT, low GPA) or reverse splitters (low LSAT, high GPA), admissions becomes unpredictable.
GPA matters more at the very top schools (HYS) where they can afford to be picky about both numbers.

The real answer: If you’re choosing where to focus your energy, invest in LSAT prep. A 3.6 GPA with a 172 LSAT is a better profile than a 3.9 GPA with a 166 LSAT for almost every law school. The LSAT is more controllable and more valuable point-for-point.

That said, don’t completely tank your GPA to study for the LSAT if you’re still in undergrad. A 2.8 GPA will severely limit your options no matter how high your LSAT is. Aim for at least a 3.5+ if possible, then obsess over LSAT.

How to Improve Your LSAT Score

The LSAT is learnable. Unlike general aptitude tests, the LSAT tests a specific skillset: logical reasoning, reading comprehension, and analytical reasoning (logic games). With deliberate practice, most people can improve significantly.

Take Full-Length Practice Tests Under Real Conditions

This is non-negotiable. You cannot improve meaningfully without doing full PTs (practice tests) under timed conditions. The LSAT is as much about stamina and time management as it is about raw ability. Doing sections in isolation doesn’t replicate test-day pressure.

Target 20-30 full PTs before your official test. That’s 60-90 hours of just taking tests, not including review. Yes, it’s brutal. But the people scoring 170+ have typically done 30+ PTs. There’s no shortcut.

Blind Review Every Practice Test

After taking a PT, immediately review it untimed without looking at the answer key. Try to solve every question you weren’t 100% confident about. Only then check your answers. This process teaches you to distinguish between lucky guesses and genuine understanding.

Blind review is where most improvement happens. The PT itself shows you what you need to work on. Blind review teaches you how to actually solve those problems correctly.

Master Logic Games Through Repetition

Logic Games (Analytical Reasoning) is the most learnable section. Most people start terrible at games and end up near-perfect with practice. The key is repetition: do each game type until it’s automatic.

Fool-proof every logic game from PTs 1-35. This means doing each game until you can complete it perfectly in under target time. It’s tedious, but it works. People who do this consistently go from -10 on games to -0 or -1.

Learn to Identify Argument Patterns in Logical Reasoning

Logical Reasoning questions follow predictable patterns. There are only about 15-20 common argument types (sufficient/necessary assumption, strengthen/weaken, flaw, method of reasoning, etc.). Learn to identify these instantly.

The LSAT recycles logical structures. Once you’ve seen 500 LR questions, you start recognizing the patterns. New questions feel familiar because you’ve seen that argument structure before with different subject matter.

Improve Reading Speed and Retention

Reading Comprehension is the hardest section to improve because it tests skills developed over years. But you can still improve through strategic reading: focus on structure (author’s argument, opposing views, evidence), not details. You can always reference the passage for details.

Practice reading dense material daily. Read the Economist, scientific journals, legal opinions—anything that forces you to follow complex arguments. This builds the stamina and comprehension speed you need.

Time Management Is a Skill

You have 35 minutes per section. For LR and RC, that’s about 1:20 per question accounting for passage reading time. For games, you need 8-9 minutes per game. If you’re spending more than that, you’re going too slow and will run out of time.

Learn to recognize when to skip and move on. Every question is worth the same point. Spending 4 minutes on one hard question while leaving two easier questions blank is terrible strategy. Skip hard questions, finish the section, come back if time allows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentile is a 170 LSAT score?

A 170 LSAT score is approximately the 97.4th percentile, meaning you scored higher than about 97.4% of test takers. This puts you in elite territory—competitive for all T14 law schools and likely to receive significant scholarship offers from lower-ranked schools. Only about 2.6% of LSAT takers score 170 or higher.

Is 160 a good LSAT score?

Yes, 160 is a good LSAT score—it’s around the 74th percentile. This makes you competitive for Top 50-100 law schools and many regional flagships. You’ll likely get into multiple decent programs and may receive scholarship offers. However, 160 is below median for T14 schools, so those would be significant reaches unless you have an exceptional GPA (3.9+) or unique softs.

What LSAT score do I need for Harvard Law?

Harvard Law’s median LSAT is typically 173-174. To be competitive, you generally want at least a 170, and ideally 172+. Below 170, you’d need an exceptional GPA (3.95+), strong softs (prestigious work experience, publications, unique perspective), or diversity factors. The 25th percentile at Harvard is usually around 170, meaning 75% of admits scored 170 or higher.

What is the average LSAT score?

The average LSAT score is approximately 150, which corresponds to around the 37-41st percentile range. However, this is the average across all test takers, including people who aren’t seriously preparing or applying. Among successful law school applicants, the average is higher—probably around 155-157. For context, the average at any ABA-accredited law school is typically 150+.

Can I get into law school with a 150 LSAT?

Yes, many law schools accept 150 LSATs. Most regional law schools and some ranked programs have median scores around 150-155. However, admission also depends on your GPA—ideally you’d want at least a 3.5+ to pair with a 150 LSAT. Be selective about cost: don’t pay full price for a low-ranked school with a 150 LSAT unless you have a clear regional employment plan and minimal debt.

How rare is a 175+ LSAT score?

A 175+ LSAT score is extremely rare—approximately 0.5% of all test takers score in this range. In a typical year with 150,000 LSAT takers, only about 750 people score 175 or higher. These scores are competitive for any law school in the country, including Yale and Stanford, and virtually guarantee full-ride scholarships at any school outside the top 3.

Does retaking the LSAT hurt your chances?

No, retaking the LSAT does not hurt your chances—most law schools only consider your highest score. Some schools average multiple scores, but this practice is dying out. If you think you can improve by 3+ points, retake it. However, don’t retake just to go from 168 to 169; the improvement needs to be meaningful (usually 3-5+ points) to justify the time investment and application delay.

What’s the highest LSAT score possible?

The highest possible LSAT score is 180, which is a perfect score. Approximately 0.1% of test takers score 180 in any given year—that’s about 100-150 people annually out of 150,000 test takers. A 180 guarantees admission to virtually any law school and full-ride scholarship offers from nearly everyone outside HYS. Even at Yale, a 180 makes you a strong candidate though still not guaranteed admission.

How much does LSAT score matter for scholarships?

LSAT score is the single biggest factor for merit scholarships. Law schools use scholarships to improve their median LSAT for US News rankings, so they target applicants above their median. If you’re at the 75th percentile of a school’s range, you’ll likely get significant money (half to full tuition). If you’re below median, scholarship chances drop dramatically. Generally, every 3-5 points of LSAT improvement can mean tens of thousands more in scholarship money.

Can a high GPA offset a low LSAT score?

Partially, but not entirely. If you have a 3.9 GPA and a 160 LSAT, you’re a “reverse splitter”—high GPA, relatively lower LSAT. This helps, but you’re still limited by the LSAT. Law schools report median LSAT scores to US News, so they’re very sensitive to admitting people below their LSAT median. Your 3.9 GPA might get you into some T20-30 schools, but you’re unlikely to get into T14 with a 160 no matter how high your GPA is.

Methodology

This LSAT percentile calculator uses official score distribution data published by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), which administers the LSAT. Percentile rankings are based on actual test-taker performance data from recent testing years.

Data Sources:

LSAC Official Score Distributions: Published percentile tables from LSAC showing the percentage of test takers at each score level
ABA Law School Data: Median LSAT scores and percentile data for ABA-accredited law schools
US News Law School Rankings: Historical median LSAT data for ranked law schools
Law School Transparency: Admissions data and employment outcomes correlated with LSAT scores

Percentile Calculation: The calculator uses linear interpolation between known percentile data points from official LSAC tables. For example, if 170 corresponds to the 97.4th percentile and 171 corresponds to the 98.0th percentile in official data, a lookup for 170.5 would estimate approximately the 97.7th percentile.

Law School Tier Classification: Law school competitiveness assessments are based on median LSAT scores reported to the ABA and US News. “T14” refers to the historically consistent Top 14 ranked schools. “Top 50” refers to schools ranked 15-50 in US News. “Regional” refers to unranked or lower-ranked schools with primarily regional placement.

Scholarship Likelihood: Scholarship competitiveness estimates are based on the relationship between applicant LSAT scores and a school’s 25th/50th/75th percentile ranges. Applicants above a school’s 75th percentile typically receive strong scholarship consideration, while those below the 50th percentile receive limited offers.

Limitations: LSAT percentiles can shift slightly year-to-year based on test-taker pool strength. The percentiles shown represent typical recent years but may vary by 1-2 percentile points in any specific administration. Law school admissions depend on many factors beyond LSAT score, including GPA, work experience, personal statement quality, letters of recommendation, and diversity factors. This calculator provides general guidance but cannot predict individual admissions outcomes.

References & Data Sources

Law School Admission Council (LSAC). (2024). LSAT Score Percentiles. Retrieved from LSAC.org
American Bar Association. (2024). ABA-Approved Law Schools. Retrieved from ABA.org
US News & World Report. (2024). Best Law Schools Rankings. Retrieved from USNews.com
Law School Transparency. (2024). Law School Data and Employment Outcomes. Retrieved from LSTReports.com
AccessLex Institute. (2024). Law School Admissions Data. Retrieved from AccessLex.org

Data Accuracy Statement: This LSAT percentile calculator uses official data from the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and the American Bar Association. Percentile rankings are based on actual test-taker distributions from recent testing years. Law school competitiveness assessments use median LSAT scores reported to US News and the ABA. This tool provides general guidance for informational purposes only and cannot predict individual admissions outcomes.