LSAT Score Percentiles (2025): What is a 'Good' Score?
When you get your LSAT score back, you will see two numbers: your scaled score (120-180) and your percentile rank.
While the scaled score is what you tell your parents, the percentile rank is what admissions officers care about. It tells them exactly where you stand compared to the thousands of other students vying for the same seat.
In this guide, we will break down the 2024-2025 LSAT percentiles, explain what a “good” score really is, and help you set a realistic target for your dream school.
The 2025 LSAT Percentile Chart
The LSAT is graded on a curve. This means that a 170 isn’t a “94%” like on a math test; it represents your performance relative to everyone else.
Here is the approximate percentile breakdown for the current testing cycle:
| Scaled Score | Percentile Rank | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 180 | 99.9% | Perfection. You are the unicorn. |
| 175 | 99% | Elite. You are competitive for literally any law school. |
| 170 | 98% | The “Golden Ticket” for the T14 (Top 14 schools). |
| 165 | 90% | Excellent. Strong candidate for Top 30 schools. |
| 160 | 80% | Above Average. Good for Tier 1 & Tier 2 regional schools. |
| 155 | 60% | Solid. You will get into law school, but maybe not with a scholarship. |
| 153 | 50% | Median. Exactly average. |
| 150 | 45% | Below Average. Admissions will be an uphill battle. |
| 145 | 26% | Low. You should strongly consider retaking. |
Notice the jump? Moving from a 165 to a 170 moves you from the top 10% to the top 2%. That 5-point difference is often the difference between a rejection and a full-ride scholarship.
What is a “Good” LSAT Score?
A “good” score is entirely dependent on where you want to go.
1. The T14 (Harvard, Yale, Stanford, etc.)
- Target Score: 172+
- Percentile: 99th
- Reality Check: For these schools, a 170 is often the floor, not the ceiling. Yale Law School’s median LSAT is typically around 175. If you are aiming here, you cannot afford to miss more than a handful of questions.
2. Top 50 Schools (Tier 1)
- Target Score: 160-165
- Percentile: 80th-90th
- Reality Check: Schools like UNC, Boston College, or Fordham are incredibly competitive. A score in the mid-160s makes you a strong contender.
3. Regional Schools (Tier 2/3)
- Target Score: 155-160
- Percentile: 60th-80th
- Reality Check: If you want to practice law in a specific city and attend the local university, a 155+ is often sufficient. However, be wary of conditional scholarships that require you to maintain a certain GPA.
How the Removal of Logic Games Changed Scoring
In August 2024, the LSAT removed the “Analytical Reasoning” (Logic Games) section. This section was historically the easiest to “perfect”-many students could get a -0 on Games to offset a weaker Reading Comp score.
With Games gone, the test is now:
- Logical Reasoning (LR): ~66% of your score
- Reading Comprehension (RC): ~33% of your score
The Impact: The curve has tightened slightly at the top. Because LR and RC are harder to perfect than Games, seeing a 175+ is becoming slightly more impressive. It means you are a master of nuance, not just a master of diagramming.
Should You Retake?
If your score is below the median of your target school, yes.
Law schools almost universally accept your highest score. They do not average them. If you scored a 155 in September and a 165 in November, you are a “165 applicant” in their eyes.
Top Resources to Boost Your Score
- 7Sage: Best for drilling Logical Reasoning ($69/mo).
- Blueprint: Best for visual learners who need engagement.
- RC Hero: A niche course specifically for Reading Comprehension.
Summary
- 153 is the average.
- 160 opens doors to good schools.
- 170 opens doors to elite schools.
- Your percentile matters more than the raw number.
Don’t obsess over the difference between a 171 and a 172. But do obsess over the difference between a 158 and a 160. That jump crosses a major psychological threshold for admissions officers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good LSAT score?
A good LSAT score depends on your target law schools. For T14 schools (Top 14), aim for 170+ (98th+ percentile). For top 50 schools, 160+ (80th+ percentile) is competitive. The median LSAT score is 153. Any score above 160 is considered strong for most law school applications.
What LSAT score do I need for Harvard Law School?
Harvard Law School's median LSAT score is typically around 174 (99th percentile). Competitive applicants generally score 172 or higher. While there's no official minimum, scoring below 170 requires exceptional other application components to be competitive.
What percentile is a 170 LSAT score?
A 170 LSAT score is approximately the 98th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 98% of all test-takers. This score is considered the 'golden ticket' for T14 law school admissions and often qualifies for substantial merit scholarships.
What is the average LSAT score?
The average (median) LSAT score is 153, which represents the 50th percentile. However, the average score for students admitted to ABA-accredited law schools is higher—typically around 158-160 for the overall admitted class.
How are LSAT percentiles calculated?
LSAT percentiles show the percentage of test-takers who scored below your score over the past 3 years of testing. For example, a 90th percentile means you scored higher than 90% of recent test-takers. LSAC updates percentile tables periodically.
What percentile is a 160 LSAT score?
A 160 LSAT score is approximately the 80th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 80% of test-takers. This is a strong score that makes you competitive for many top 50 law schools and can earn merit scholarships at lower-ranked programs.
Is a 165 LSAT score good?
Yes, a 165 LSAT score (90th percentile) is excellent. It makes you competitive for top 30 law schools and can earn significant merit scholarships at many programs. For most T14 schools, you'd want 170+, but 165 is still a very strong score.
Can I improve my LSAT score by 10 points?
Yes, a 10-point LSAT improvement is achievable with dedicated study. Most students can improve 10-15 points with 200-300 hours of focused preparation over 3-4 months. The key is consistent practice, thorough review of wrong answers, and mastering fundamental skills.
Do law schools look at my highest LSAT score?
Yes, most law schools only consider your highest LSAT score for admissions and rankings purposes. They do not average scores. This means retaking the LSAT can be advantageous if you believe you can improve, with no penalty for lower prior scores.
How has the removal of Logic Games affected LSAT percentiles?
Since Logic Games were removed in August 2024, the LSAT is now 66% Logical Reasoning and 33% Reading Comprehension. The percentile curve has tightened slightly at the top because LR and RC are harder to perfect than Games. A 175+ is now somewhat more impressive.