Does LSAT correlate with bar?

Asked by: Prof. Valentina Leannon  |  Last update: November 7, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (8 votes)

Since LSAT and UGPA were highly correlated with bar outcomes, groups of students with lower credentials would be expected to pass bar exams at lower rates. We will refer to this as the “credential” hypothesis.

Is the bar similar to the LSAT?

Is the LSAT the same as the bar exam? No, the LSAT is for law school admissions and tests logical reasoning and reading comprehension. The bar exam, taken after law school, tests legal knowledge and skills for licensure to practice law. They serve different purposes and are taken at different stages.

Did Kim Kardashian pass the LSAT?

She failed it 3 times before finally passing in 2021 (which apparently is pretty common for people who take this path). A few years later, I have not heard anything about her attempting the real bar exam.

Do you have to take the LSAT to take the bar?

In California, qualified applicants can take the bar exam without going to law school. Most law schools require a college degree, but some may only ask for equivalent course work, and some law schools focus on your legal interest and life experiences and not on your grades or LSAT scores.

Can you be a lawyer without the LSAT?

Some law schools have made the LSAT optional, but not all of them have eliminated it from their admissions process. The use of the LSAT can vary between different institutions, so it's wise to research the admission requirements of each law school you're interested in.

"HOW A 142 GOT ME INTO LAW SCHOOL" | TIPS FOR APPLICANTS WITH LOW LSAT SCORES | CLEO PRE-LAW PROGRAM

21 related questions found

Is MCAT or LSAT harder?

The difficulty of the LSAT vs MCAT is subjective and depends on an individual's strengths and interests. Some may find the MCAT more challenging due to its extensive scientific content, while others may struggle more with the LSAT because of its emphasis on logical reasoning and comprehension skills.

How rare is a 170 LSAT?

170 score: Scoring a 170 on the LSAT is almost always considered a good score — that means you are in the 2-3% of test-takers.

Is a 180 LSAT perfect?

Enrolling in the LSAT Prep Course is a useful way to help you achieve these gains. If you're aiming higher, a scaled score of 164 lands you in the 90th percentile. Even a perfect score of 180 usually allows for a couple of mistakes.

What LSAT score did Elle Woods get?

When she applied to this school, she had a 4.0 GPA with a 179 on the LSAT, the two most important things when applying to law school. The average LSAT score for students applying to Harvard is 174, meaning she got above the average.

What LSAT score did Obama get?

During his time, the median LSAT scores for Harvard Law were generally between 170 and 175. This suggests that the Obama LSAT scores were within this range, placing him in the top percentiles of test-takers.

How is Kim Kardashian going to law school without a bachelor's degree?

So first, what is “reading the law?” Basically, it's a JD via apprenticeship but without the actual degree. In her case, Kardashian will need to spend at least four years studying with a practicing lawyer or judge to be eligible to take the California bar exam in 2022.

Is the baby bar harder than the bar?

Passing the Baby Bar

The baby bar has a much lower pass rate than most other bar exams. Around 27% of first-time test takers passed in 2020. But this doesn't mean the exam is harder than the actual bar exam in California or any other state.

What is the hardest bar subject?

Many aspiring attorneys who have taken or are presently studying for the bar exam, however, appear to agree that the following three topics are the most difficult: Real Property. Contracts. Civil Procedure.

Does LSAT predict bar passage?

strong relationship between LSAT scores and the probability of first-time bar passage. This is consistent with the “credential” effect we have discussed; usually higher LSAT corresponds to a higher group rate of first-time bar passage.

Which LSAT section is hardest?

Analytical Reasoning

You'll need various skills to do well here. You'll have to figure out relationships between complex concepts and apply logic even when things seem unclear. The situations presented can be ambiguous and complex, making this section notorious among LSAT takers.

Is 136 a bad LSAT score?

What a Low LSAT Score Means. If your LSAT score is in the 130s or low 140s, it's very hard to find an ABA law school anywhere in the US that will offer you unrestricted acceptance (especially in the increasingly competitive environment).

How rare is 172 LSAT?

So, a great score on the LSAT is a 172, but more than 100,000 people take the LSAT every year and only 1% score 172 or higher. For the top 50 law schools, the median LSAT score is between 164 and 174. A good LSAT score for top tier(defined by T14 schools for this article) law schools is between 171 and 174.

Has anyone gotten 100% on the LSAT?

A 20-year-old woman from Pennsylvania has shared her real-life Legally Blonde moment after achieving the perfect score of 180 in the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

What LSAT score do I need for Harvard?

So let's take a look at what it actually takes to have a chance of being admitted to the most prestigious and preeminent law school in the world. As you can see from these numbers, an LSAT score of 170 or higher and a GPA above 3.75 will give you a chance of gaining admission to Harvard Law School.

Is 165 a bad LSAT score?

As previously stated, the score range for any LSAT exam is 120 to 180, but the average score is about 150. However, most of the top ten law schools require a candidate to have scored at least 165 on the LSAT.

How rare is a 177 LSAT?

You would need to a top score across all LSAT attempts of a 177 to be in the top 1% of US and Canadian applicants. An applicant needs a top score of 169 to be in the top 10% of applicants.

Does LSAT or GPA matter more?

In general terms, it can be said that law schools value LSAT scores more than they do undergraduate GPA, but whether or not this statement applies to a given institution and how by much depends on the school.

How hard is it to get a 510 on MCAT?

It is not hard to get a 510 as it is at the 80th percentile.

How expensive is the LSAT?

What fees are associated with the LSAT? It costs $222 to take the LSAT and receive one free score report. In addition, subscription to the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) is required for application for most law schools. This subscription costs $200 and includes on score report for $45.