What is the bell curve score for the LSAT?
Asked by: Rocky West | Last update: April 7, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (5 votes)
The LSAT score distribution follows a bell curve, scaled from 120 to 180, with the majority of test-takers scoring in the middle range (around 145-160), centered near an average of 150-153. While not a traditional "curve" where scores adjust to a fixed average, statistical methods ensure scores approximate this distribution, meaning small score gains in the middle yield larger percentile jumps than at the ends. A score of 170+ is in the top few percentiles, highly competitive for top schools, while scores in the 140s are below the 25th percentile.
How is the LSAT scored on a bell curve?
The LSAT is scored on a bell curve, ranging from 120 to 180. On recent tests, the hump of the curve has centered around 153. Percentiles vary slightly between tests, but generally around 25% of test-takers score 160 or higher, 5% score 170 or higher, and 1% score 175 or higher. Only one in 1,000 test-takers scores 180.
What score is 75% correct on the LSAT?
For instance, a score of 160 puts you in roughly the 75th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 75% of all test-takers. While the scaled score (120-180) is linear, the percentile gaps are not.
What did Barack Obama get on the LSAT?
Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed to have been very high, likely in the 170-175 range, to gain admission to Harvard Law School with a relatively low undergraduate GPA. Analysts suggest he needed a score in the top percentiles (perhaps 94th-98th) to overcome his lower GPA and secure a spot at the prestigious institution, indicating a strong performance near the perfect 180 score.
How rare is a 172 on the LSAT?
A 172 LSAT score is extremely rare and elite, placing you in roughly the top 3% (97th percentile) of test-takers, meaning you scored better than over 97 out of 100 people, making it a very strong score for even the most competitive T14 law schools. While common on law school forums, it's statistically exceptional, outperforming most applicants for top programs, though some extremely selective schools have medians even higher.
LSAT Score Variance Is Normal
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.
Can I get into Harvard law with a 171 LSAT?
Based on recent class data, the median LSAT score for admitted students is 174, with the middle 50% ranging from 171 (25th percentile) to 176 (75th percentile). While a score below 171 is possible with a standout application, aiming for 174 or higher maximizes your chances.
Did Michelle Obama pass her 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 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.
What is the hardest section of 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.
How many questions can you miss on LSAT to get 150?
To score around 150 on the LSAT, you generally need a raw score of about 43-44 correct answers out of approximately 99-102 total scored questions, meaning you can miss around 55-60 questions, though this varies significantly by test difficulty (the "curve") and section. On a harder test, you might miss more; on an easier one, fewer, but roughly aiming for 10-11 wrong per section (Logical Reasoning, Reading Comp, Logic Games) is a common strategy.
What is a good LSAT score in 2025?
A "good" LSAT score in 2025 depends on your target school: 160+ is generally competitive for many ABA schools, 165+ is strong for Top 50, and 170+ is needed for Top 10/T14 schools, with the average around 150-152, though scores of 175+ are exceptional. Aiming high (170+) significantly increases your chances at elite programs, while 160+ opens doors at many regional and national law schools, with scores around 174 being the median for Harvard.
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.
How many questions are right on LSAT to get 160?
To score a 160 on the LSAT, you generally need to get around 54-58 out of approximately 75 scored questions correct, meaning you can miss about 17-21 questions total, depending on the specific test's difficulty and scaling, often averaging about 18 correct per section across the three scored sections (LR, RC, LG).
What is Taylor Swift's SAT score?
Taylor Swift's specific SAT score isn't officially confirmed, but rumors and online discussions often mention a high score, with some claiming she scored 1540 out of 1600, placing her in the 99th percentile, while others point out she chose to focus on her music career and didn't attend a traditional college, making her score less publicized.
What did Obama get on the SAT?
Barack Obama's exact SAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely rumored to be high, with some sources suggesting a strong ACT score (around 30) and others speculating his SAT score was well above the Columbia University transfer average when he entered, though his performance at Harvard Law (indicated by a high LSAT score, likely 170+) is seen as a better measure of his academic ability, notes Columbia Spectator and SoFlo Tutors.
What was Kobe Bryant's SAT score?
Kobe Bryant scored a 1080 on the SAT, a respectable score that, along with his high grades, would have gained him admission to top colleges like Duke and North Carolina, but he chose to go directly to the NBA from high school instead. His score was out of 1600, and while he didn't attend college, his academics were strong enough to have qualified him.
Did Joe Biden pass a bar exam?
Yes, Joe Biden earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Syracuse University College of Law in 1968 and was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1969, indicating he passed the bar exam required for practice, despite graduating in the lower half of his class.
Did Hillary Clinton pass the bar exam?
Yes, Hillary Clinton passed the Arkansas bar exam and became a lawyer, but she famously failed the District of Columbia bar exam on her first attempt, though she passed it later, allowing her to practice law in D.C. and build a successful career.
How many times did Kim Kardashian take the bar exam?
Kim Kardashian has taken the official California Bar Exam once, in July 2025, and did not pass, but she did pass the "Baby Bar" (First-Year Law Students' Exam) on her fourth attempt in late 2021 after failing it three times previously, allowing her to proceed to the main exam. She has plans to retake the main bar exam, with opportunities in February 2026 and beyond, as California law allows multiple attempts.
Is it harder to get into Yale law or Harvard Law?
Yale Law School (YLS) is generally considered harder to get into than Harvard Law School (HLS) due to its significantly lower acceptance rate and smaller class size, making it the most selective law school in the U.S., though both are exceptionally difficult with similar elite academic profiles (high GPAs, LSATs). YLS often admits fewer students relative to applicants, focusing on a very small cohort, while HLS accepts a larger number to fill its much bigger class, creating a perception that YLS is more exclusive despite comparable applicant quality, notes Quora users and TestMax.
What was Barack Obama's LSAT score?
Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed to have been very high, likely in the 170-175 range, to gain admission to Harvard Law School with a relatively low undergraduate GPA. Analysts suggest he needed a score in the top percentiles (perhaps 94th-98th) to overcome his lower GPA and secure a spot at the prestigious institution, indicating a strong performance near the perfect 180 score.
What is the difference between T6 and T14 law schools?
T14 are the top 14 schools, T6 are the top 6, T3 are the top 3). These are not perfect for all metrics, especially for schools whose graduates tend to have strong impact in the public and non-profit sectors which reduce their average salaries somewhat; but are a suitable proxy for “quality” and “earnings potential”.