Understanding the LSAT Score Percentile: A Comprehensive Guide

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a crucial component of the law school application process. Your LSAT score plays a major role in law school admissions. While the raw score and scaled score are important, the LSAT percentile provides valuable context by showing how you performed compared to other applicants. This article breaks down how LSAT percentiles work, how the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) calculates them, and how you can use them to plan your next steps.

What is an LSAT Percentile?

An LSAT percentile, also known as an LSAT percentile rank, represents the percentage of test takers whose scaled score was lower than yours. For example, if your actual score is a 160 and your percentile is 75, you scored higher than 75% of all LSAT test takers, indicating solid standing among applicants.

It's common to talk in terms of LSAT scores, but law schools also look at your score percentile. Rather than focus solely on your numeric LSAT score, law schools, especially ABA-accredited law schools, heavily weigh how that score compares with the applicant pool. That’s especially true for competitive admissions or scholarship decisions.

Why LSAT Percentiles Matter

Understanding your LSAT percentile is essential for several reasons:

Setting Score Goals: Knowing your percentile helps you set realistic score goals based on the schools you’re applying to.
Assessing Competitiveness: It allows you to decide whether your current score makes you a competitive applicant for your target school, or if you should invest in retaking the test.
Understanding School Medians and Ranges: Your percentile helps you understand how your score fits with each school’s reported medians and ranges.
Estimating Scholarship Chances: It helps estimate your chances of getting scholarships, which typically go to applicants above a school’s median score.

Most schools don’t have minimum LSAT scores for consideration, but your score's percentile tells them whether you’re likely to succeed relative to other applicants. What one school sees as a good score may be below the median at another, making percentiles crucial for interpreting your competitiveness.

How the LSAT is Scored

To understand percentiles, it's important to know how the LSAT is scored.

Raw Score: This is the number of questions you answered correctly out of the total number of scored questions (usually around 76-78). There’s no penalty for wrong answers. There is no failing score on the LSAT; it simply measures the number of questions you answered correctly. For example, if you answer 60 questions correctly, your raw score is 60.
Scaled LSAT Score: Your raw score is converted into a scaled score between 120 and 180. LSAC uses a process called equating to adjust for differences in difficulty across test versions. This scaled score is the number that law schools focus on most when reviewing applications. This scaled score is used by law schools to determine your likelihood of admission. The highest LSAT score is 180. The average LSAT score is about 152.
LSAT Score Percentile: Your LSAT percentile rank shows how your scaled score compares to other test takers. If your score is in the 93rd percentile, you performed better than 93% of LSAT takers from the past three testing years. Percentile data comes directly from the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).

LSAT Percentile Score Chart

The charts below show how LSAT scaled scores correspond to percentile ranks, based on official data from the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) for the 2022-2025 cohort. These percentiles reflect how your score compares to those of others who took the LSAT during this period. Use this chart to understand how competitive your score is and how it aligns with the score ranges reported by law schools.

*Take note: LSAT score percentiles may vary slightly depending on the year in which they are reported, so the numbers provided in this article are rough estimates.

LSAT Percentile Table (2026-2027)

Scaled Score	Percentile Rank (%)
180	~99+
175-179	~99
170-174	~96-98
165-169	~88-94
160-164	~75-86
155-159	~57-72
150-154	~39-54
Below 150	Below ~39

Historically, the average LSAT score (about 150-153) sits near the 50th percentile, meaning half of all test takers score lower, half score higher. Because 152 is the median LSAT score, it would give you a percentile ranking of approximately 50.

You can use this chart to:

Read also: Understanding LSAT percentiles

Benchmark your score against other applicants
Compare your percentile to the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile ranges at your target schools
Decide whether a retake could help you reach a higher score band or improve your chances at merit scholarships

What Is a “Good” LSAT Score?

A "good" LSAT score depends on the law schools you are considering. Deciding if your LSAT score is “good” depends on where you’re applying and your scholarship goals. Law schools have different score expectations based on selectivity, class profile goals, and applicant volume. The chart below shows how LSAT scores align with general admissions outcomes by school tier. A good LSAT score is one that gets you into the law school you want to attend. Check out the LSAT score ranges for the schools on your list in our law school profiles, and see how your scores compare.

LSAT Score Ranges by Law School Tier

Law School Tier	LSAT Score Range	Approx. Percentile	Target Schools Example
Top (T14 / Elite)	170-180	95-99.9%	Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia
Top 15-50	160-169	89-95%	Emory, Boston University, Fordham, UC Hastings
Regional / Mid-Tier	150-159	75-89%	University of Baltimore, Drexel, DePaul
Access Law Schools	140-149	50-75%	Charlotte School of Law, WMU Cooley, Southern U Law

Most top-ranked law schools report median LSAT scores between 170 and 175. These medians represent the 50th percentile of their incoming class and are a strong indicator of admissions competitiveness.

Median LSAT Scores at Top Law Schools

Law School	Median LSAT Score	Approx. Percentile
Harvard Law School	174	99%
Yale Law School	175	99%
Columbia Law School	173	98%
NYU School of Law	172	98%
University of Pennsylvania Law	172	98%

Note: If your LSAT score is below a school’s median, excellence in other parts of your application, like your undergraduate GPA, personal statement, and letters of recommendation, can help to improve your admissions chances. A score above the median may increase your odds of admission and can also improve your chances for scholarship offers.

How Law Schools Use LSAT Percentiles

Law schools use LSAT scores to compare law school applicants consistently. While admissions decisions also consider your undergraduate GPA, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and other parts of your application, your LSAT percentile helps schools quickly understand how your test score ranks against others. Most law schools publish the 25th, 50th (median), and 75th percentile LSAT scores for their incoming class. These percentiles help you estimate how your score compares to students who were recently admitted.

How to Read Law School Percentile Ranges

25th Percentile: Your score is lower than 75% of admitted students. The school may still admit you, but your GPA and other materials need to be strong. This school may be a reach.
50th Percentile (Median): Your score is right in the middle. Half of the admitted students scored higher and half scored lower. This school is a target.
75th Percentile: Your score is higher than 75% of admitted students. You may have a stronger chance of admission and could qualify for merit aid. This school may be a safety, depending on other parts of your application.

Programs often use percentile scores and LSAT score percentiles to determine merit aid eligibility. These ranges are updated every year and are based on actual LSAT score percentiles reported by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Comparing your score to these numbers can help you build a balanced and realistic school list.

Read also: What's a Good LSAT Score?

LSAT Trends From Recent Years

The average LSAT score remains close to 151, based on data from first-time test takers. A scaled score of 160 or higher places you in the top 20% of test takers and often improves your chances of admission or scholarship offers at competitive schools.

As of August 2024, the LSAT format changed. The logic games section was removed and replaced with a second logical reasoning section. The test now includes:

Two scored logical reasoning sections
One scored reading comprehension section
One unscored variable section

Despite the format update, the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) has stated that the change is not expected to affect scaled LSAT scores or percentile ranks. Schools will continue to interpret scores using the same scale and percentile data from recent years.

Expert Tips Based on Your LSAT Score Band

Here's a breakdown of what your LSAT score band means for your admissions outlook and what steps you can take to improve your chances:

Score Lower Than 150

Percentile Range: Below 40%
Admissions Outlook: Competitive at access-focused law schools and conditional programs
What to do: Scoring below the 150s indicates unfamiliarity with foundational concepts and the skills tested by the LSAT. Use analytics from timed practice tests to understand why you’re missing questions (e.g., time pressure, question type, fatigue). Then build your prep around those insights. Determining your weaknesses through analytics can help you focus your study efforts more effectively. Prioritize section-specific drills over full exams. At this stage, students typically display an overreliance on timed testing; drilling an untimed 1 LR/RC section enables you to check and improve your understanding without the pressure of a timer counting down. Retake only after identifying, drilling, and reviewing core issues. If you remain in a plateau with self-study, shift to a structured LSAT prep course or 1:1 tutoring focused on foundational logic and reading strategies.

Score Between 150-159

Percentile Range: ~40%-74%
Admissions Outlook: Target range for many mid-tier and regional schools
What to do: Use LSAT percentiles to find strategic fits. Apply to schools where your score lands between their median and 75th percentile. This increases your chances of acceptance and puts you in a stronger position for review. Scholarships are possible-but not guaranteed. At schools where your score is above the 50th percentile, you may be considered for merit aid, especially if your GPA adds balance. Submit early in the cycle. Mid-range scores become less competitive later in the admissions season as more high-score applicants submit. Apply by October-November when possible. If you’re considering a retake, be tactical. Retake only if you’ve addressed your weak points and have tested 3+ points higher than your previous attempts, multiple times in a row. This ensures your potential score band (floor & ceiling) will be higher than your previous administration. Even small jumps can shift your percentile rank and change your admissions outlook.

Score Between 160-169

Percentile Range: ~75-95%
Admissions Outlook: Strong position for T25-T50 schools
What to do: Maximize your score’s value by applying early. Many schools offer their largest merit packages to early applicants with LSAT scores at or above their 75th percentile. Stack softs with your score. Your score opens the door, but a strong undergraduate GPA, a standout personal statement, and professional experience can help you edge out similar applicants for limited seats or funding. Build a balanced school list. Apply to a mix of schools where your score is below the median (reach), at the median (target), and above it (likely admit/”safety”). Use your score as leverage. If multiple schools offer admission, use competing offers to negotiate or request reconsideration for scholarships.

Scored Between 170-180

Percentile Range: 96%-99.9%
Admissions Outlook: Competitive at T14 law schools, strong leverage for merit aid
What to do: Your score is an asset; use it to shape your strategy. Focus your school list on institutions where your score is at or above the 75th percentile. This can lead to high scholarship offers and reduce total debt. Don’t rush your personal statement. At this level, many applicants look the same on paper. Your essays need to show personality, purpose, and clarity, without trying to impress with vocabulary or legal clichés. Match the quality of your letters of recommendation to your score. Ask recommenders to speak to analytical strength, leadership, and resilience-qualities that show you’re more than a strong test taker. Submit before peak volume. T14 schools tend to get the most applications between November and January. Submitting by mid-October puts you in a smaller, more favorable pool.

How to Calculate Your LSAT Percentile

To find your LSAT percentile, you’ll convert your raw score to a scaled score, which has a corresponding percentile rank.

Step-by-Step Example

Let’s say you got 64 questions correct on a 76-question test. That’s your raw score.
Using the score conversion chart, that might translate to a scaled LSAT score of 165.
Based on LSAC data, that’s about the 88th percentile.

Your score report will reflect this, showing your scaled score and percentile. Use historical data or your test provider’s tools to find your score band if you’re still in the LSAT prep stage.

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