What Is a Good LSAT Score?

1. LSAT Scoring 101: Breaking Down the Numbers

Alright, so let’s talk about LSAT scores in a way that actually makes sense. The test is scored on a 120-180 scale, where 120 is the lowest (not great) and 180 is perfect (aka unicorn status).

But here’s the deal: your raw score (the number of questions you get right) gets converted into this scaled score through something called equating. Basically, it’s a fancy way of making sure that no one test is harder or easier than another. So if one LSAT is extra brutal, the scoring will adjust to keep things fair.

Now, let’s break down what these numbers actually mean in terms of law school admissions:

• 120-149: Oof. This range is tough. Most ABA-accredited law schools won’t seriously consider scores in this range, and if they do, your GPA better be amazing. You might still have options, but they’ll be limited.
• 150-159: Okay, this is where things get more solid. A score in the mid-150s can get you into mid-tier law schools, but not necessarily with scholarships. The higher you go in this range, the better your chances.
• 160-169: Now we’re talking. A score in the 160s makes you competitive for top 50 schools, and if you’re at the higher end of this range, you might even start getting scholarship offers.
• 170-180: This is the elite zone. A score above 170 puts you in the running for T14 law schools (like Harvard, Columbia, and NYU). If you’re hitting 175+, you’re looking at some of the best schools and serious financial aid offers.

2. What’s Actually a Good LSAT Score?

A good LSAT score isn’t one-size-fits-all—it really depends on what kind of law school experience (and career) you’re aiming for. Some people just want any law degree so they can practice, while others have their eyes set on the Ivy League. So, let’s keep it real and break it down by what score gets you where:

2.1 Top 14 Law Schools (T14) – 170+

If you’re gunning for Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, or any other T14 school, you need to be in the 170+ club. These schools have LSAT medians in the high 160s or low 170s, and they’re incredibly competitive. A 170+ score doesn’t guarantee admission (because GPAs, personal statements, and work experience matter too), but it puts you in the serious contender category.

2.2 Top 50 Law Schools – 160-169

Not trying to go Ivy League but still want a well-respected school with good job prospects? A score in the mid-to-high 160s will get you into top 50 schools like Boston University, Emory, or Fordham. These schools have solid reputations, and if your LSAT score is on the higher end of this range, you might even score some scholarships.

2.3 Regional Law Schools – 150-159

If you’re cool with going to a regional school—one that may not be nationally ranked but still gets the job done—a score in the 150s can work. Many ABA-accredited schools accept students in this range, though you might have fewer scholarship opportunities and a tougher time with job placement outside your school’s region. If you go this route, make sure the school has strong bar passage rates and a good alumni network in the area where you want to practice.

2.4 Below 150 – Enter With Caution

A score below 150 makes it really hard to get into ABA-accredited law schools. You might find some lower-ranked schools willing to admit you, but this is where you have to be super careful. Some of these schools have low bar passage rates and weak job placement stats, which could make it harder to actually become a practicing lawyer. If you’re in this range and dead set on law school, it might be worth retaking the LSAT to improve your chances.

2.5 Bottom Line:

• 170+? You’re competitive for the best schools in the country.
• 160s? You’ve got great options, and scholarships might be on the table.
• 150s? You can still get into law school, but make sure the school’s outcomes are solid.
• Below 150? Retaking the test might be your best bet.

A “good” LSAT score is whatever gets you into a school that fits your career goals without drowning you in debt. So, think big picture—where do you want to end up, and what score will get you there?

3. How Your LSAT Score Can Secure You Scholarships

One of the biggest perks of a high LSAT score? Free money. Yep, law schools hand out scholarships like candy to applicants who can help boost their rankings—and a strong LSAT score is one of the main ways to make that happen.

Here’s how it works: law schools report their LSAT medians to organizations like U.S. News & World Report, which then ranks them accordingly. A higher median LSAT means a better ranking, so schools are highly motivated to recruit applicants with top scores. If your LSAT score is above a school’s median, they might throw serious scholarship money your way just to get you to enroll.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• 170+ at a Top 50 school? You could land a full or partial scholarship because your score makes you a highly desirable applicant.
• Mid-160s at a mid-tier school? Solid chance for merit-based scholarships, which could drastically reduce your tuition costs.
• 150s at a lower-ranked school? You might get some aid, but it won’t be as generous, and you’ll need to weigh the cost of tuition against future job prospects.

💡 Pro tip: If multiple schools accept you, use your offers as leverage. Law schools expect applicants to negotiate financial aid, and if you have a strong LSAT score, you have power in these discussions. Show them an offer from a competing school and ask if they can match or beat it—many will!

4. LSAT vs. GPA: Which One Matters More?

Law schools care about both your LSAT score and your GPA—but if you have to prioritize one, the LSAT usually carries more weight.

Here’s why:

✅ The LSAT is standardized. Every test-taker is judged on the exact same scale, no matter where they went to school. A 165 on the LSAT means the same thing whether you graduated from Harvard or a small liberal arts college.

❌ GPA varies. A 3.8 at one school might not be the same as a 3.8 at another. Grade inflation, course difficulty, and school prestige all play a role, which makes GPAs harder to compare fairly.

Because of this, many law schools use a formula that weighs the LSAT score more heavily than GPA when making admissions decisions. So if your GPA isn’t amazing, a strong LSAT score can make up for it.

4.1 What If You Have a High GPA but a Low LSAT?

A high GPA is great, but without a competitive LSAT score, you could struggle to get into top law schools. Some schools might still admit you based on other factors (strong personal statement, work experience, diversity considerations, etc.), but your options will be more limited.

4.2 What If You Have a High LSAT but a Low GPA?

Now, this is where the LSAT really flexes its power. If your GPA isn’t stellar, a high LSAT score can completely change the game. Schools know that the LSAT is a better predictor of first-year law school performance, so if you crush the LSAT, it can offset a lower GPA and keep you in the running for top programs.

4.3 Bottom Line:

• If your GPA is solid but not amazing, focus on getting the highest LSAT score possible—it can override a weaker GPA.
• If you have a strong LSAT score and a lower GPA, you still have a great shot at competitive schools.
• If you’re weak in both areas, it might be time to consider retaking the LSAT or looking at alternative law school options.

At the end of the day, law schools want students who can handle the grind, and the LSAT is one of the best ways for them to measure that.

5. Should You Retake the LSAT?

So, you took the LSAT, got your score, and now you’re wondering… should I go through this madness again? The answer depends on a few things—your goals, your score, and how much gas you have left in the tank to study again.

Here’s a quick way to decide:

5.1 📉 If Your Score Is Below 150 → Retake.

Unless you’re okay with very limited law school options, retaking is a must. Most ABA-accredited schools won’t take sub-150 scores seriously, and even if they do, bar passage rates and job placement might be an issue.

5.2 📊 If Your Score Is in the Mid-150s → Retake (Probably).

A score in this range can get you into some decent regional schools, but breaking into the 160s would open up way more doors—including better schools and scholarships. If you think you can realistically improve, go for it.

5.3 📈 If Your Score Is in the Low 160s → Retake (If You’re Aiming High).

This is a solid range, but if you’re eyeing a T14 school, you’ll need 170+. If your practice tests suggest you can push higher, retaking could be worth it. But if you’re happy with a Top 50 school, you might not need to put yourself through another round of LSAT stress.

5.4 🏆 If You Scored 170+ → Probably Not Worth It.

At this point, you’re already competitive for top law schools. Unless you’re set on Harvard, Yale, or Stanford (which have median LSATs around 173-175), you’re in great shape. And honestly, the risk of scoring lower on a retake might not be worth the stress.

6. Does Retaking the LSAT Hurt Your Application?

Nope! Law schools focus on your highest LSAT score, so multiple attempts won’t necessarily hurt you. Some schools look at all your scores, but most will only care about your best one.

That said, LSAC now limits you to 5 attempts in 5 years and 7 attempts in a lifetime (as of August 2023). So if you’re retaking, make sure you have a realistic plan to improve before burning through your attempts.

Bottom Line:

• If your score is holding you back from your dream schools, retaking is worth considering.
• If your score is already strong for your target schools, focus on the rest of your application.
• If you do retake, make sure you’re actually studying differently and not just hoping for a lucky test day.

Law school admissions are competitive, but your LSAT score isn’t set in stone. If you’re willing to put in the work, a retake could completely change your law school and scholarship options.

7. How to Actually Boost Your LSAT Score

So, you’re thinking about retaking the LSAT or just want to maximize your first attempt? Smart move. The LSAT isn’t the kind of test you can just wing—but the good news is, with the right prep, you can see major improvements. Here’s how to make every study session count:

7.1 Use Official LSAT PrepTests

The best way to prep? Real, timed LSAT exams. LSAC releases past LSATs (called PrepTests), and these are the closest thing you’ll get to the actual test. There’s no better way to build stamina, accuracy, and timing than drilling these under real test conditions.

• Don’t just take the tests—analyze them. What types of questions trip you up? Are you running out of time? Use this info to refine your strategy.

7.2 Learn from Your Mistakes (Don’t Just Keep Practicing Aimlessly)

Taking a bunch of practice tests is pointless if you don’t figure out why you’re getting questions wrong. Instead of just marking an answer wrong and moving on, ask yourself:

• Did I misread the question?
• Did I fall for a trap answer?
• Did I run out of time and guess?

Make a mistake log (yes, actually write it down) and track patterns in your errors. That’s how you get better.

7.3 Prioritize Logical Reasoning

Logical Reasoning (LR) is half your LSAT score—so if you improve here, you improve everywhere.

• If you struggle with weaken/strengthen questions, focus on finding the argument’s assumption first.
• If parallel reasoning makes you want to scream, skip these first and come back to them later.

Even a small boost in Logical Reasoning can push your score up dramatically.

7.4 Get a Tutor or Prep Course If Needed

Self-studying works for some, but if you’re plateauing, it might be time for outside help. A good tutor or course will:

• Identify your weak spots and tailor a strategy for you.
• Keep you accountable (because let’s be honest, studying alone can get real unmotivating).
• Give you test-taking strategies that aren’t just “do more practice tests.”

If you’re on a budget, check out free LSAT resources like Khan Academy’s LSAT prep or forums like r/LSAT on Reddit.

7.5 Take the Test When You’re Actually Ready

Rushing into the LSAT before you’re hitting your target score in practice tests is a bad move. You only get 5 attempts in 5 years and 7 in a lifetime, so make them count.

• If you’re still scoring 5-10 points below your goal, you probably need more time.
• If your practice scores are consistent with your goal, then you’re good to go.

Final Thoughts

A good LSAT score depends on where you want to go and what kind of scholarships you want. Here’s the short version:

• 170+ = Top 10 schools, big scholarships
• 160-169 = Competitive for top 50 schools
• 150-159 = Okay for regional law schools
• Below 150 = Consider retaking

Your LSAT score can make or break your law school applications, so it’s worth putting in the effort to get the highest score possible. A few months of studying could mean better schools, more scholarships, and less student debt.

So, if your score isn’t where you want it to be, don’t panic—you got this.