What is a law school GPA curve?
Asked by: Sally Hermiston | Last update: January 7, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (9 votes)
As an aspiring law student, it's important to understand the unique law school grading system. Known as the law school curve, this method bases grades on a predetermined distribution rather than percentage scores, with the goal of ensuring consistency and limiting grade inflation across a law school.
What is a law school grading curve?
"The curve" is the permitted range of each letter grade that can be awarded, for example, 0–3% A+, 3–7% A, etc. Curves vary between different law schools, as do the rules for when the curve is mandatory versus suggestive.
Is 3.7 a bad GPA for law school?
A good standard for above average law schools tends to be a 160 LSAT and a 3.5 GPA. However even amongst that people will tell you a 3.7 and a 165 is better. Really just depends on you. Many good law schools ( well above average) will take a 3.5 160. In my opinion average law schools are around the 100 mark.
What is a GPA curve?
Grading on a curve refers to the modification of students' grades based on the performance of the class as a whole. Instructors resort to curving grades usually when the class performs lower than expected or if there was an issue with the assignment prompt.
What is considered a good law school GPA?
Top-ranking law schools often expect higher average GPAs, typically ranging from 3.8 to 4.0 or even higher. They place a strong emphasis on academic excellence to complement strong LSAT scores.
Law school grading curve
Is a 3.2 a bad law school GPA?
So generally, if you're trying to get into the top schools, a GPA below 3.6 will be considered low. But to answer the question what GPA do you need to get into law school, any law school, then the answer is at least a 2.5. That is realistically the lowest GPA you can have to get into law school.
What does a 3.5 GPA look like?
What is a 3.5 GPA? A 3.5 GPA is 90% or a B+/A- average. This means you probably mainly earned B's (3.0) and A's (4.0) in your coursework. Of course, the exact grades that make up a 3.4 GPA will vary from student to student.
Is 1.7 GPA bad?
On a percentage scale, this would roughly translate to scores in the range of 60% to less than 70%. It's essential to note that a 1.7 GPA is generally considered a relatively low GPA and could potentially limit a student's college and scholarship opportunities.
Is grading on a curve good or bad?
Most of the time, grading on a curve boosts the students' grades by moving their actual scores up a few notches, perhaps increasing the letter grade. Some teachers use curves to adjust the scores received in exams, whereas other teachers prefer to adjust what letter grades are assigned to the actual scores.
Is a 70 a 2.5 GPA?
What is a 70% GPA? On a scale of 4.0, 70% is a 2.8 GPA, while the same is a 3.1 GPA out of 4.3 and 3.5 out of 5.0 scales.
What is Harvard Law GPA?
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. If you have a GPA of 3.94 or higher and above a 175, you are pretty much a lock for admission, particularly given the class size of ~560.
How rare is a 176 LSAT?
Less than 1% of test takers score a 176. It's a very hard thing to do. Don't let this sub skew your perception of what's realistic.
Can I get into Harvard Law with a 3.8 GPA?
While the LSAT score and GPA are significant factors, Harvard Law considers applicants holistically, valuing diversity and unique perspectives. The LSAT score for Harvard Law School typically falls within the 169-175 range, while the average GPA for admitted students is between 3.8 and 4.0.
What GPA do you need for big law?
What Is a Good GPA for Big Law? It depends on what firms you're hoping to work with. Many firms require lawyers to have a GPA of 3.5 from a top school, while many others consider a 3.0 from the same institution to be acceptable.
What is an LSAT curve?
The LSAT is graded on a “curve” so that even if a test was relatively easy or difficult, a 160 on any given test is equivalent to a 160 on any other test. This means that not all tests are exactly the same level of difficulty.
How to calculate law school GPA?
Total the graded credit hours from all semesters; total the quality points from all semesters. 3. Divide the total quality points for all semesters by the total credit hours for all semesters. The result is the cumulative G.P.A.
Can your grade go down after a curve?
If a professor notices that the average score was significantly lower — for example, the average grade failed to pass — they can grade on a curve. That means modifying each student's grade to raise the average. In rarer cases, professors might adjust the curve down to lower the average.
Why do professors curve grades?
Occasionally, student performance is lower than expected on a test. Instructors can choose to modify the student scores to equalize the scores. A simple method for curving grades is to add the same amount of points to each student's score.
What is GPA inflation?
Adam Tyner, Ph. D. 10.17.2024. Getty Images/Christina Brunk. Grade inflation is the increase in average grades awarded to students over time, absent higher academic achievement.
Can I get into Harvard with a 1.7 GPA?
Harvard will accept a GPA lower than 4.0 but it has to be in really hard classes, like AP or Honors. If it's normal classes, then your answer is probably not.
Is a 2.8 GPA horrible?
Is a 2.8 GPA Good? Because a 2.8 is two-tenths of a point from a B average, a 2.8 GPA indicates several above-average grades and that your performance on homework and exams was up to par. With a 2.8 GPA, several colleges will consider your application, so you have a decent number of options to choose from.
Is 7.5 A Good GPA?
A 7.5 CGPA is generally considered to be a good GPA, as it falls within the range of a B+ to A- average.
What GPA is required for Harvard?
GPA requirements for Harvard
At Harvard, the standard GPA is 4.18. (While some schools publish an unweighted GPA, most utilize a weighted GPA out of 4.0.) Harvard needs you to be at the top of your class with a GPA of 4.18. To compete with other applications, you'll need to receive almost all A's.
What will an F do to a 3.5 GPA?
Your GPA is affected
When you fail a course, the grade you receive is often an F, which carries no grade points. As a result, failing a course can significantly lower your GPA, especially if it is worth several credits. For example, if you have a 3.5 GPA and fail a 4-credit course, your GPA will drop to 3.08.