How can I read better on the LSAT?

Asked by: Billie Kreiger  |  Last update: December 15, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (55 votes)

Top Tips for LSAT Reading Comprehension
  1. Always Be Triaging. Clicking the first question for each passage will allow you to give each passage a quick once-over. ...
  2. Setup your Scratch Paper. ...
  3. Figure Out the Question Type. ...
  4. See Scrolls. ...
  5. View the Whole Passage at Once. ...
  6. Use Annotations Strategically.

How to read more carefully on LSAT?

How to Read Actively on the LSAT
  • Highlight or underline ONLY major ideas.
  • Take notes on your scratch paper.
  • Create a passage map.
  • Pause after each paragraph to reflect on what you just read.
  • Bring someone else into your thought process.

Is a 135 on the LSAT bad?

Average LSAT Score

LSAT passing score of at least 165 on the LSAT. In recent years, the average LSAT score has stayed at around 151-152. Correspondingly, applicants should aim to score 151 at a minimum to get into an accredited law school because of how competitive and challenging admissions are.

Is LSAT reading harder than SAT?

Both tests are time-constrained, but the LSAT has more challenging time limits. The LSAT emphasizes logical reasoning, verbal skills, and reading comprehension, whereas the SAT focuses on math, critical reading, and writing.

How can I improve my LSAT accuracy?

Predicting Answers

Making strong predictions before reading the answer choices will help you improve your score on every LSAT section. Some people call this step “pre-phrasing.” We call it “realizing how repetitive and predictable the LSAT is.” Learn how to predict correct answer choices here.

175+ LSAT Reading Comprehension Strategy

39 related questions found

Will a 180 LSAT get you in anywhere?

Here is a breakdown of what counts as a good enough score for law schools based on the school's rank: Top-five law schools: 170 to 180. Schools like Harvard and Yale, which are the top two, rarely accept applicants with less than 172 on the LSAT. Law schools ranked between 5 and 10: 165 to 170.

What is the hardest portion of the LSAT?

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.

What is the LSAT score for Harvard law?

The 1L class at Harvard University has a median LSAT of 174. The 25th percentile LSAT is 171 and the 75th percentile LSAT is 176. The median GPA is 3.93. The 25th percentile GPA is 3.84 and the 75th percentile GPA is 3.99.

Is LSAT or MCAT 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 180 LSAT?

How Hard Is It To Get A Perfect Score On The LSAT? According to LSAC, only 119 test-takers out of nearly 60,000 achieved this in 2022. So when you ask, “How many people get a 180 on the LSAT?” the answer highlights the rarity and difficulty of this achievement.

What was Elle Woods' LSAT score?

Elle Woods, a fictional character portrayed by Reese Witherspoon in the movie Legally Blonde, is known for her remarkable LSAT score—179 out of 180. Portrayed as a stereotypical "valley girl," she embarks on a journey to Harvard Law School in the movie that has since become a cult favorite.

What score is 12 wrong on LSAT?

Every LSAT throughout the year is different, but on a typical LSAT, can still get around 18–19 questions wrong and still end up in the 160s—or about 12 wrong and get a 166, a 90th percentile score. Even a perfect score of 180 often allows for a question or two to be missed.

How do I train my brain for the LSAT?

One of the most effective strategies is to practice regularly with timed LSAT-style questions. Additionally, it is helpful to break down complex or unfamiliar arguments into simpler components to better understand them. Practice identifying the premises and conclusions of each argument.

How can I improve my reading section of the LSAT?

Top Tips for LSAT Reading Comprehension
  1. Always Be Triaging. Clicking the first question for each passage will allow you to give each passage a quick once-over. ...
  2. Setup your Scratch Paper. ...
  3. Figure Out the Question Type. ...
  4. See Scrolls. ...
  5. View the Whole Passage at Once. ...
  6. Use Annotations Strategically.

How many questions wrong is a 170 LSAT?

How many questions can be answered incorrectly for a score of 170? The most questions you can answer wrong on the LSAT if your objective is to achieve a score of 170 is 11. You should achieve your goal score of 170 by correctly answering 90 out of the 101 questions.

What is the hardest law school in the USA?

1. Yale University. With an acceptance rate of just 6.9%, it's no wonder that Yale is the hardest law school to get into. Only around 1 in 15 of their highly qualified applicants makes it through.

What is the average LSAT score for first time takers?

LSAT scores range from 120 to 180. First-time LSAT test-takers score an average of 151 out of 180. The median LSAT score of first-year JD students is 158.5. Among first-year JD students, 160.9 is considered a high score (75th percentile), and 154.8 is considered a low score (25th percentile)

How hard is a 172 LSAT?

Your percentile on the LSAT shows how many people you outperformed on the test. Scoring 172 typically puts you in the top 1.3%, surpassing 98.7% of other test-takers. LSAT percentiles may change slightly each year based on everyone's performance.

Which LSAT month is the hardest?

There isn't one specific month that is the easiest or hardest to write the LSAT, and if there was, it would change each year since the students writing the LSAT change each year! The hardest test will be the one you haven't fully prepared for, regardless of the month!

What is a poor LSAT score?

A 144-145 is generally considered to be the lowest acceptable score to attend law school. The median LSAT score is around 151-152, so 144-145 is significantly lower than this. As such, the majority of law schools will not accept scores below this.

Is the LSAT harder than the bar?

Generally, the bar exam is considered harder than the LSAT. The LSAT tests logical reasoning and reading comprehension for law school admission, while the bar exam requires extensive legal knowledge and practical skills to obtain a license to practice law.

What was Obama's LSAT score?

The easiest to predict, by far, is Barack Obama's score, mostly because we have some data. Based on admissions records, we can deduce — somewhat reliably — that Barry-O scored between the 94th and 98th percentile on his LSAT. Using today's grading system, that would place him somewhere around a 170.

Is cheating on the LSAT illegal?

The Law School Admission Council has established procedures for dealing with instances of possible candidate misconduct or irregularities on the LSAT or in the law school admission process. Misconduct or irregularity in the admission process is a serious offense with serious consequences.