What is a good first LSAT practice score?
Asked by: Blanca Dietrich | Last update: February 19, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (35 votes)
A good first LSAT practice score varies, but often falls in the low to mid-140s, with scores in the mid-150s often considered a strong start, though many people start lower (130s) and improve significantly, while a score around 153 is the national median for all test-takers, making anything above that a positive initial sign. The most crucial factor isn't the initial score, but recognizing it as a baseline to build a study plan for your target schools, understanding that significant improvement (10-20+ points) is common with dedicated study.
What is the average score for the first LSAT practice test?
Many students initially score in the 130s, 140s, or low 150s, even if they go on to achieve scores in the 160s or 170s. That's why there's no such thing as a good LSAT diagnostic score. What matters most is not where you start, but how you learn and approach improvement.
What was Barack 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.
What is most people's first LSAT score?
The average LSAT score is around 152, though many top-100 schools will require more than the average for admissions. Schools will compare you to other applicants from the same cycle.
What score did Elle Woods need on her LSAT?
Elle Woods needed to score a 179 on the LSAT, just one point shy of a perfect 180, to get into Harvard Law School in the movie Legally Blonde, a remarkable jump from her initial practice score of 143. This near-perfect score placed her in an extremely high percentile, proving her dedication and intelligence despite initial underestimation.
How to score in the 170s on the LSAT.
Did Kim Kardashian pass the LSAT?
That said, the question about what the “Kim Kardashian LSAT score” was, or if she even took the LSAT ends in a resounding no. This unconventional choice has sparked conversations about making legal education more accessible and exploring diverse paths in the legal profession.
What is the lowest LSAT score to get into Harvard Law?
With that said, you will realistically need to score 168 or above on the LSAT in order to give yourself a chance of being admitted into Harvard Law School. Of course, there are always exceptions, especially if the other aspects of your application are remarkable.
What's the hardest section on the LSAT?
The hardest LSAT sections vary by student, but commonly cited challenges include Logical Reasoning (LR) for its abstract language and nuanced question types (like Parallel Reasoning/Flaw), and Reading Comprehension (RC) due to ingrained reading habits, especially with complex science or legal passages (e.g., Waterbugs, Dworkin). While often feared, Logic Games (LG) (Analytical Reasoning) is generally considered the most learnable and perfectible section, despite tough hybrid or new rule questions.
What is a respectable LSAT score?
A good LSAT score depends on your target law school, but generally, 160+ is competitive, 170+ is strong for top-tier schools (T14), and 175+ is excellent, with the national median around 152-155; check your desired schools' median scores to set your specific goal.
Does Harvard look at your highest LSAT score?
Harvard. "The LSAT need be taken only once. If you take the test more than once, all scores will be received but we will use the highest score in our evaluation."
Did Michelle Obama ever pass a bar exam?
Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
What did Ben Affleck get on his SAT?
Ben Affleck reportedly had a "near-perfect" or "almost perfect" SAT score, rumored to be 1600, on the old 1600-point scale, though the exact score isn't officially confirmed, with sources citing sources like the New York Times on his high aptitude despite poor high school attendance.
What is the #1 ranked law school in the world?
There isn't one single "number one," as rankings vary, but Harvard University, Yale University, and Stanford University consistently appear at the very top globally, often trading #1 spots depending on the ranking system, with Harvard often leading in overall QS rankings and Yale/Stanford in U.S. News & World Report's domestic rankings for U.S. schools. Other top contenders include Oxford, Cambridge, Chicago, and NYU.
Does your first LSAT score matter?
In general, you should almost always keep your first LSAT score, even if it's well below what you want it to be—officers will assume a 'cancel' means a low score anyway, and you don't want to be caught without an LSAT on record if your circumstances change.
Are older LSAT practice tests easier?
Short answer: No. The only difference across practice tests over time is that early Logic Games are harder, so if anything, the LSAT has gotten easier. Don't worry about subtle changes based on a few data points. Focus on understanding the test, one question at a time.
What is a mediocre LSAT score?
For example, to get into a top-ranking law school, you'll probably need an LSAT score of at least 160 or above, while a score in the mid-150s is often acceptable at many excellent law schools. A top 10 law school typically requires a 170 or above.
What 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.
What is the most common LSAT score?
Your LSAT score is the most important factor for admission to law school. The highest LSAT score is 180. The average LSAT score is about 152. A "good" LSAT score depends on the law schools you are considering.
Is the LSAT harder than the bar exam?
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.
What is the easiest law school to get into with a low LSAT score?
For easier admission with a low LSAT (under 150), focus on schools with higher acceptance rates and lower median scores, such as Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Inter-American University (Puerto Rico), Southern University, and Appalachian School of Law, often found in regions with lower demand or specialized programs, but always check recent ABA data for current medians and consider schools in diverse geographic areas like the Midwest or South.
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.
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.
What's a good LSAT score for not studying?
What can students expect to score on the LSAT without studying? Based on our independent research, students who sit for the LSAT without studying typically score between 145 and 150. However, that is the average and does not mean you can not score higher than that.
How long should I study for the LSAT?
Most students need 2 to 4 months (150-300 hours) of focused study for the LSAT, balancing intensity with avoiding burnout, with longer timelines (4-6 months) or shorter boot camps (1 month) possible depending on your baseline score, target score, and personal commitments. Key factors are your starting point, goals, and consistent, high-quality practice, emphasizing review over just taking tests.