What is the correlation between GPA and LSAT scores?

Asked by: Alphonso Sipes  |  Last update: July 13, 2025
Score: 5/5 (35 votes)

❖ Upon viewing the correlation coefficient, a strong, positive correlation is seen between GPA and LSAT scores. Meaning, as one variable increases, the other does as well. ❖ Those with higher GPAs are more likely to receive high LSAT scores and vice-versa.

Does GPA correlate with LSAT?

That is, LSAT score predicts cumulative law school GPA about as well as it predicts 1L GPA; in both cases, LSAT score is superior to UGPA as a predictor. However, 1L GPA is a stronger predictor of cumulative law school grades than either LSAT score or UGPA.

Is a 3.7 GPA too low for law school?

The average GPA for law school is between 3.91. However, like LSAT scores, it's important to understand that the specific average GPA can differ depending on the law school and its level of competitiveness. Top-ranking law schools often expect higher average GPAs, typically ranging from 3.8 to 4.0 or even higher.

What if I have a high GPA but low LSAT scores?

The higher your GPA, the better, and if you have a low LSAT score, law schools will sometimes overlook this in favor of your higher GPA. If you are still in undergraduate school when you receive your LSAT score, try and focus on bringing your GPA up by summer classes or putting in extra study time on your final exams.

Is your LSAT or GPA more important?

Most law schools tend to give LSAT scores a bit more weight, but some schools care more about grades. The admissions process is inevitably subjective, and some admissions officers might be more forgiving of a gap than others.

How I Got Into Law School With a LOW LSAT and Gpa || Releasing my LSAT || My Admission Story

19 related questions found

Is 158 a bad LSAT score?

As mentioned above, the average LSAT score nationally is a 152. Generally speaking, a score of 160 and above is necessary to guarantee admission into top-100 schools like Tulane, UC Hastings, or Case Western Reserve.

Do law schools weigh LSAT or GPA more?

In general terms, it can be said that law schools value LSAT scores more than they do undergraduate GPA, but whether or not this statement applies to a given institution and how by much depends on the school.

How bad is a 147 LSAT?

Typical LSAT score ranges include: 120-147 Low. 148-156 Mid. 157-164 High.

How hard is it to get a 179 on the LSAT?

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.

Can I get into law school with a 134 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.

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.

What is the lowest GPA a law school will accept?

What Is the Lowest GPA For Law School? Since the majority of law schools require a GPA of 3.0 or higher, anything below a 3.0 is considered very low. Some of the absolute lowest GPA requirements for schools are 2.80.

Is 163 a good LSAT score?

From your raw scores, the test is graded on an LSAT score scale from 120-180. The average LSAT score is about 150. To get into a top 14 law school, you need to score above 166, and to get into a top 50 law school, you need 153 or above.

What is the best predictor of law school success?

THE LSAT IS PREDICTIVE, BUT NOT RELEVANT

To its credit, the LSAT is meant to predict how well a student will perform during their first year in law school. And perhaps more than any other available metric, the LSAT is best at doing this.

Do law schools care about GPA?

Law schools care about many things: your GPA, your LSAT, the story you tell, the obstacles you've overcome.

Do law schools look at LSAT percentiles?

It's common to talk in terms of LSAT scores, but law schools also look at your score percentile. Small LSAT score gains can net big results.

What did Elle Woods score on LSAT?

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 LSAT score do I need for Harvard?

So let's take a look at what it actually takes to have a chance of being admitted to the most prestigious and preeminent law school in the world. 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.

Should I cancel my 148 LSAT score?

Remember, just because you feel you did poorly on the test does not necessarily mean you did. Some people may come out of the test feeling nervous or unhappy with how they did but end up scoring very well. You should only seriously consider canceling an LSAT score if you feel like you completely flunked the exam.

How rare is 172 LSAT?

So, a great score on the LSAT is a 172, but more than 100,000 people take the LSAT every year and only 1% score 172 or higher. For the top 50 law schools, the median LSAT score is between 164 and 174. A good LSAT score for top tier(defined by T14 schools for this article) law schools is between 171 and 174.

What is a mediocre LSAT score?

The LSAT percentile score range demonstrates your score relative to other test-takers over the past three years. According to the Law School Admission Council, which administers the test, the median score for the 2021-24 testing years was 153, meaning 50% of test-takers scored below and 50% scored above that number.

Do law schools care if you retake classes?

Clear up any Incomplete grades before you apply to law schools since they may adversely affect your GPA and the quality of your transcript. Avoid repeating courses unless absolutely necessary.

Do law schools care about where you went for undergrad?

Top Law Schools are unlikely to admit people who attended less impressive undergraduate schools, especially if there were opportunities you did not pursue (such as independent academic research, challenging courses, and intellectual pursuits outside of the classroom.)

Is the LSAT curved?

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.