Is LSAT or MCAT harder?

Asked by: Alexander Hermiston  |  Last update: February 20, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (39 votes)

Neither the LSAT nor the MCAT is objectively "harder"; they are difficult in different ways, with the MCAT testing vast scientific knowledge and endurance over 7.5 hours, while the LSAT focuses intensely on logical reasoning, reading comprehension, and analytical skills, making it more about aptitude and mental stamina for complex abstract problems. Your background (science-heavy vs. humanities/logic) greatly influences which you'll find tougher, but many find the MCAT's breadth and length more challenging, while others struggle with the LSAT's abstract reasoning.

What is 70% correct on MCAT?

Scoring roughly 70% correct on the MCAT usually translates to a total scaled score in the 500-505 range, placing you around the 50th-60th percentile, though this can vary slightly by test version and difficulty, with higher percentages needed for sections like CARS for the same score. The MCAT uses scaled scores (472-528) and percentiles, not a simple percentage, so exact conversions shift, but 70% generally means you're around average to slightly above average.
 

Has Kim Kardashian taken the LSAT?

Kim takes the California Bar Exam's “baby bar” without completing a bachelor's degree or taking the LSAT. Kim continues to balance her legal pursuits with media and business ventures, using her platform for criminal justice reform advocacy.

Is the LSAT the hardest test?

The LSAT is widely considered one of the hardest standardized tests, rivaling the MCAT and GMAT due to its focus on complex logical reasoning, analytical skills, and reading comprehension under intense time pressure, rather than just subject knowledge, making it uniquely challenging for many test-takers. While other exams (like the Bar Exam or USMLE) test vast knowledge and practical application, the LSAT's difficulty lies in its abstract, reasoning-based structure that requires a specific mindset and intensive practice.
 

What LSAT score is a 70%?

A 70th percentile on the LSAT means you scored better than 70% of test-takers, which typically translates to a scaled score around 157-159, often requiring roughly 55-56 correct answers out of the scored sections, putting you in a competitive range for many law schools. This score shows strong performance above the national median (around 150-152) and is competitive for many regional and mid-tier law programs.
 

Which is Harder: the Bar Exam or LSAT?

19 related questions found

What was Obama's LSAT score?

Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely above 170, potentially near perfect) to gain admission to Harvard Law School despite a lower undergraduate GPA, suggesting he was in the top few percentile of test-takers for his application year. While no official number exists, analyses point to a score in the top tier (e.g., 94th-98th percentile) to overcome his GPA for admission to a top-ranked program like Harvard.
 

Should I cancel a 157 LSAT score?

You should probably cancel a 157 only if it's significantly below your practice test scores and you're confident you can score much higher, as it's a decent score for many schools but might hold you back from top-tier ones; otherwise, keep it, as most schools focus on your highest score, and showing improvement can be positive, but repeated cancellations can look bad, notes Reddit users and 7Sage users. 

Has anyone gotten 180 on LSAT?

My Experience with the LSAT

When I took my first diagnostic LSAT, I scored a 166; eight months later, after nearly 30 timed practice LSATs, 100+ individual logic games sections, and countless hours of study, I got a notification email from LSAC saying that my June 2013 score was a 180. That score has changed my life.

How many times can I fail the LSAT?

How many times may I take the LSAT? Five times within the current reportable score period (i.e., since June 2020).

Is LSAT harder than the bar?

Most people consider the Bar Exam harder than the LSAT because it requires memorizing vast amounts of "black letter law" and applying it under extreme pressure, whereas the LSAT tests reasoning skills, but the LSAT's difficulty lies in its highly competitive scoring and abstract logic, making high scores harder to achieve for top schools. The LSAT is a skill-based test for law school entry, while the Bar is a knowledge-based test for licensure, making the Bar more about rote learning and the LSAT about logical aptitude.
 

How many times did Michelle Obama take the bar exam?

Michelle Obama took the Illinois Bar Exam twice, failing the first time but passing on her second attempt, a common experience even for successful lawyers. She initially failed the bar, which was devastating, but she persevered and passed, later working as a lawyer before becoming the First Lady. 

Who's richer, Taylor Swift or Kim Kardashian?

As of late 2025, Kim Kardashian is generally reported to be richer than Taylor Swift, with her net worth boosted significantly by her SKIMS brand, pushing her fortune to around $1.9 billion, while Swift's wealth is estimated at $1.6 billion, though both are billionaires. Kardashian's business ventures, especially SKIMS' high valuation, have recently placed her ahead, though these figures fluctuate.
 

How did Kim lose 16lbs in 3 weeks?

She lost 16 pounds in 3 weeks to fit into her vintage Met Gala gown. How did Kardashian lose weight? She says she cut carbs and ate “just the cleanest veggies and protein.” She also ran on a treadmill and wore a sauna suit twice a day. Kardashian's 3-week weight loss sparked concern over the impact on mental health.

What is a top 1% MCAT score?

A top 1% MCAT score generally starts around 517-518+, with the highest percentile being the perfect 528, but scores in the low 520s (like 521-522) already put you in the 98th percentile or above, meaning you're scoring better than nearly everyone else and firmly in that elite tier for top medical schools, though a 528 is statistically extremely rare.
 

Can I retake the MCAT?

MCAT examinees can test up to three times in one calendar year and four times across two calendar years. An examinee cannot take the exam more than seven times in their lifetime. Not showing up for an exam counts as an attempt toward the lifetime limit. Voided scores count as an attempt toward the lifetime limit.

Why is MCAT out of 528?

Each MCAT section is scored on a scale of 118–132 (highest). Your MCAT total score (whch is the sum of your section scores) ranges from 472–528. Because different versions of the test have varying levels of difficulty, the scale will be slightly different from one MCAT administration to the next.

Do law schools care if you retake LSAT?

Your overall LSAT record may be useful to law schools when making admissions decisions. Law schools will know if you retake the LSAT, but they are unlikely to care. There are more than enough reasons to stress out about your law school applications. Retaking the LSAT is not one of them.

How long is the LSAT valid?

An LSAT (or LSAT-Flex) result is reportable for up to five testing years after the testing year in which the score is earned. For information about how many times a test taker may sit for the LSAT, please see Limits on Repeating the LSAT.

How much does the LSAT cost?

The base cost for the LSAT exam is $248, but total expenses quickly add up with mandatory services like the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) for $215, plus $45 for each law school report you send, and potential extra fees for late changes or score previews, with LSAC offering fee waivers for eligible candidates.
 

Did Kim Kardashian pass the LSAT?

Indeed, Kim revealed on Nov. 8 that she sadly did not pass the all-important exam, but she wasn't calling it quits, either. "Six years into this law journey, and I'm still all in until I pass the bar," she wrote in a post on her Instagram Stories.

What score did Elle Woods get on her LSAT?

Elle Woods scored a 179 on the LSAT, just one point shy of a perfect 180, after going from a 143 on a practice test to achieving this near-perfect score by studying intensely for Harvard Law School. Her remarkable score, combined with a 4.0 GPA, secured her admission to Harvard Law.
 

Is 1 year enough to study for LSAT?

For most students, a three-month period of preparation (of approximately 20 hours per week) is a great goal. This is, of course, an estimate; most students are not all students. To find out how much LSAT prep time you're likely to need, we recommend taking a practice LSAT to get a baseline score.

Does LSAT outweigh GPA?

But exactly how important is your test score? In general terms, it can be said that law schools value LSAT scores more than they do your undergraduate GPA.

How many mistakes for 165 LSAT?

On a four section LSAT, you can miss roughly 18 questions and get a 165. On a three section LSAT, you can miss roughly 13 questions and get a 165.

Should I retake the LSAT if I got a 158?

If you don't have the time or energy to grind before November, you could apply now with 158 and still be competitive at plenty of places. But if you feel like 160+ is in reach and worth the extra effort, retaking once more could pay off long term.