The LSAT is scored on a scale from 120 to 180, with 120 being the lowest possible score and 180 the highest. The average score is around 151-152, which puts you at the 50th percentile.
Your score is based on the number of questions you answer correctly out of approximately 75-80 scored questions. There’s no penalty for wrong answers—only correct answers count. Your raw score (number correct) is then converted to the 120-180 scaled score.
Important: If you’ve seen resources mentioning ~100 questions or a Logic Games section, those are outdated. The LSAT format changed significantly in August 2024.
Table of Contents
How LSAT Scoring Works
LSAT scoring happens in two steps: raw score calculation and score conversion.
Step 1: Raw Score
Your raw score is simply the number of questions you answer correctly. Every question is worth one point, regardless of difficulty. If you answer 60 questions correctly, your raw score is 60.
There’s no penalty for guessing. A wrong answer counts the same as a skipped question—zero points. This means you should always answer every question, even if you’re guessing.
Step 2: Scaled Score Conversion
Your raw score is then converted to the LSAT’s 120-180 scale through a process called equating. This process accounts for slight variations in difficulty between different test administrations.
The conversion isn’t a simple formula. It varies from test to test. On an easier test, you might need more correct answers to reach a certain scaled score. On a harder test, fewer correct answers might yield the same score.
This is what people mean when they talk about the LSAT “curve.” It ensures that a 160 on one test date represents the same level of ability as a 160 on any other test date.
Pro tip: Because the curve varies, don’t obsess over the exact number of questions you got right on practice tests. Focus on your scaled score trends instead.
The LSAT Score Range: 120 to 180
The LSAT uses an unusual scoring scale: 120 at the low end, 180 at the high end. Most students score somewhere in the middle.
Here’s how scores distribute:
| Score Range | Percentile | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 170-180 | 95-99.9% | Elite—competitive for T14 law schools |
| 165-169 | 85-94% | Excellent—competitive for T25 schools |
| 160-164 | 73-84% | Strong—competitive for T50 schools |
| 155-159 | 55-72% | Above average |
| 150-154 | 35-54% | Average |
| 145-149 | 18-34% | Below average |
| Below 145 | <18% | Significantly below average |
The median score is approximately 151-152. This means half of all test-takers score above this, and half score below.
About 70% of test-takers score between 140 and 160. Scores above 170 are rare—only about 3% of test-takers reach this level.
How Many Questions Are on the LSAT?
The current LSAT has approximately 75-80 scored questions across three sections:
| Section | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Logical Reasoning | 24-26 | 35 minutes |
| Logical Reasoning | 24-26 | 35 minutes |
| Reading Comprehension | 26-28 | 35 minutes |
You’ll also encounter a fourth, unscored “variable” section. This is an experimental section that LSAC uses to test new questions. It can be either Logical Reasoning or Reading Comprehension, and you won’t know which section is unscored—so treat every section as if it counts.
Total test time is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes for the multiple-choice portion, plus a break after the second section.
What Changed in August 2024
The LSAT underwent a major format change in August 2024. Here’s what’s different:
| Before August 2024 | After August 2024 |
|---|---|
| 1 Logical Reasoning section | 2 Logical Reasoning sections |
| 1 Logic Games (Analytical Reasoning) section | No Logic Games |
| ~100 scored questions | ~75-80 scored questions |
Logic Games are gone. If you find prep books, courses, or online resources that discuss Logic Games strategy, those materials are outdated for the current LSAT.
Why the change? LSAC removed Logic Games after a legal settlement related to accessibility concerns. The section posed challenges for test-takers with certain visual disabilities that couldn’t be adequately accommodated.
The good news: LSAC’s data shows the scoring impact was minimal—less than 1/100th of a point difference on average. The new format still accurately predicts law school performance.
Pro tip: This format change means Logical Reasoning now accounts for roughly two-thirds of your score. If you’re studying for the LSAT, prioritize LR skills alongside Reading Comprehension.
LSAT Raw Score Conversion
Because conversion varies by test, there’s no single chart that works for every administration. However, here are typical conversions to give you a sense of the relationship:
| Raw Score (Correct) | Approximate Scaled Score | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 75+ | 180 | 99.9% |
| 72-74 | 175+ | 99%+ |
| 67-68 | 170 | 95% |
| 62-63 | 165 | 90% |
| 57-58 | 160 | 73% |
| 52-53 | 155 | 60% |
| 47-48 | 152-153 | 50% |
| 42-43 | 148 | 32% |
| 38 | 145 | 22% |
These numbers are approximate and can shift by 1-2 points depending on the specific test’s difficulty.
For a detailed breakdown based on historical tests, see our LSAT score conversion table.
How Many Questions Can I Miss?
This is what most students really want to know. Here’s a practical breakdown:
| Target Score | Questions You Can Miss | Approximate Raw Score Needed |
|---|---|---|
| 180 | 0-2 | 75-77+ |
| 175 | 3-5 | 72-74 |
| 170 | 7-10 | 67-70 |
| 165 | 12-15 | 62-65 |
| 160 | 17-20 | 57-60 |
| 155 | 22-25 | 52-55 |
A few things to keep in mind:
These ranges vary by test. A particularly difficult LSAT might be more forgiving (you can miss more questions for the same score), while an easier test is less forgiving.
You don’t know which section is experimental. During the test, you might feel like you bombed a section—but it could be the unscored one. Don’t let a rough section derail your confidence for the rest of the test.
Improvement is possible. The LSAT is a skills-based test, not a knowledge test. With practice, most students can significantly improve their scores. Magoosh’s LSAT prep includes official LSAC-licensed questions with video explanations to help you understand not just what the right answer is, but why.
What Is a Good LSAT Score?
A “good” LSAT score depends entirely on your goals. The score that gets you into your target school with scholarship money is a good score—whether that’s a 155 or a 175.
That said, here’s how scores generally map to law school competitiveness:
LSAT Scores by Law School Tier
| School Tier | Typical Median LSAT | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| T14 (Top 14) | 170-174 | Harvard, Yale, Stanford, etc. Highly competitive. |
| T25 | 165-170 | Strong national programs. Still very competitive. |
| T50 | 160-165 | Excellent regional and some national programs. |
| T100 | 155-160 | Good regional programs. |
| Below T100 | 150-155 | Varies widely. Research employment outcomes carefully. |
Examples of median LSAT scores (Fall 2024 entering class):
- Yale Law: 174
- Harvard Law: 174
- Stanford Law: 173
- Columbia Law: 173
- NYU Law: 172
- Georgetown Law: 171
- UCLA Law: 170
- Boston University Law: 170
- George Washington Law: 168
Note: Law school medians shift annually. Verify current data at each school’s website or through ABA 509 reports.
For score requirements at specific schools, see our guide to LSAT scores for the top 100 law schools.
Pro tip: Don’t just look at median scores. Check each school’s 25th and 75th percentile scores too. A score at or above the 75th percentile often puts you in strong position for merit scholarships.
LSAT Percentiles Explained
Your LSAT score report includes a percentile rank. This tells you what percentage of test-takers scored lower than you over the previous three years.
Percentiles are based on LSAC’s official data from the previous three testing years (currently 2022-2025).
For example:
- A 160 is approximately the 73rd percentile—you scored higher than 73% of test-takers.
- A 170 is approximately the 95th percentile—you scored higher than 95% of test-takers.
One important distinction: Percentiles are based on all test-takers, not just law school applicants. The applicant pool is more competitive because lower-scoring test-takers often don’t apply. A 165 might be the 90th percentile among all test-takers but closer to the 75th percentile among applicants to top schools.
For a complete percentile breakdown, see our LSAT percentile guide.
When Do LSAT Scores Come Out?
LSAT scores are typically released 3 to 4 weeks after your test date (21-30 days). LSAC publishes specific score release dates for each test administration.
A few things to know:
You must complete LSAT Writing first. Your score won’t be released until your writing sample is on file. You can complete this at home, on your own schedule, before or after test day—but don’t wait too long.
Score Preview is available. For an additional fee ($45 if purchased before the test, $85 after), you can see your score before deciding whether to keep or cancel it. With Score Preview, you have six calendar days after your score is released to cancel. Without Score Preview, you must decide within six days of your test date—before seeing your score.
Scores are valid for approximately six years. Specifically, the current testing year plus the five prior testing years. Schools will see all scores on your record (up to 12), though most focus on your highest score.
For specific release dates and more details, see when LSAT scores are released.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a penalty for wrong answers on the LSAT?
No. There’s no penalty for incorrect answers. Your score is based solely on the number of questions you answer correctly. This means you should never leave a question blank—always guess if you’re running out of time.
What’s the average LSAT score?
The average (mean) LSAT score is approximately 151, and the median is 152-153. This means about half of all test-takers score above 152 and half score below.
Can I cancel my LSAT score?
Yes. You have six calendar days after your score is released to cancel. If you purchased Score Preview, you can see your score first before deciding. Canceled scores appear on your record as “candidate cancel” but schools won’t see the actual score.
How long are LSAT scores valid?
LSAT scores are valid for the current testing year plus the five prior testing years. This effectively gives you about six years to use your score for law school applications.
Do law schools see all my LSAT scores?
Yes. Your LSAC report includes all LSAT scores on file (up to 12). However, most law schools focus primarily on your highest score. Some may also consider score trends or averages, but the emphasis on highest score has increased in recent years.
I found resources that mention Logic Games—are they on the LSAT?
No. Logic Games (also called Analytical Reasoning) were removed from the LSAT in August 2024. Any prep materials, courses, or articles discussing Logic Games are outdated. The current LSAT has two Logical Reasoning sections and one Reading Comprehension section.
This is a significant change, so if you’re using older prep books or courses, make sure they’ve been updated for the current format.
Understanding how LSAT scoring works is the first step toward setting realistic goals and creating an effective study plan. Now that you know what you’re aiming for, the next step is building the skills to get there.
If you’re looking for structured preparation, Magoosh LSAT offers official LSAC-licensed practice questions with video explanations from expert instructors—plus a score guarantee.
