What LSAT score is needed for top schools?

Asked by: Daniella Moore  |  Last update: May 16, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (1 votes)

For top law schools (T-14), you generally need an LSAT score of 170 or higher, with T6 schools (like Yale, Harvard, Stanford) often requiring 173-175+, while schools ranked 15-25 might see medians around 165-170, and competitive scores for top programs are often in the 170-173 range, though scores in the mid-160s can be strong for excellent schools outside the very top tier, with higher scores increasing chances for merit aid.

What LSAT score do I need for top law schools?

According to U.S. News, law school admissions experts recommend striving for at least a 150; however, for a top-ranking law school, you should aim for a 160 or better. For a Top 10 law school, a 170 or more is desired. Of course, this all depends on which schools you are applying to.

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. 

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.

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 initially scoring a 143 on a practice test, a massive jump that helped her get into Harvard Law School. This near-perfect score, combined with a 4.0 GPA and strong extracurriculars, made her a competitive applicant, though her rapid improvement from a low practice score is often noted as a highlight (and a bit unrealistic) of her journey in Legally Blonde.
 

LSAT Score Requirements for Top 14 Law Schools

31 related questions found

What is a top 1% SAT score?

A top 1% SAT score is generally 1530 or above, with scores from 1530-1600 placing you in the 99th percentile or higher, meaning you scored better than 99% of test-takers, making it an excellent score for highly selective colleges. A score around 1450+ puts you in the top 10%, while aiming for 1500+ places you in the top 1-2% for elite admissions. 

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 fact she openly discussed in her memoir, Becoming, noting it as a humbling but ultimately insignificant setback. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1991 after this success.
 

Who has the highest LSAT score?

Sarah Boyle, a member of The University of Scranton's Class of 2024, scored a perfect 180 on her Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

Who's richer, Taylor Swift or Kim Kardashian?

Yes, recent reports from late 2025 indicate that Kim Kardashian has surpassed Taylor Swift in net worth, with Kardashian estimated at around $1.9 billion due to her Skims brand, while Swift was valued at about $1.6 billion, though both are billionaires. 

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 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 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.
 

What LSAT score will get you a full ride?

To get a full law school scholarship, aim for an LSAT score significantly above the school's median, generally in the mid-160s to 170+ range, especially for higher-ranked schools, as schools use high scores to award significant aid, but remember your GPA and other factors (leadership, experience) matter, with top schools often requiring scores above 170. 

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 law school has the lowest acceptance rate?

Acceptance Rates: Yale Law School has the lowest acceptance rate at 5.6%, with Stanford Law School following at 7.3%.

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.

Which majors do best on LSAT?

Top 5 College Majors by Average LSAT Score

  • Physics/Math, 160.0.
  • Economics, 157.4.
  • Philosophy/Theology, 157.4.
  • International Relations, 156.5.
  • Engineering, 156.2.

Is the LSAT harder than the bar exam?

Most people find the Bar Exam significantly harder than the LSAT because the Bar tests vast memorized legal knowledge and application over several days, whereas the LSAT tests raw reasoning skills without prior knowledge, though high LSAT scores for top law schools can require near-perfect performance. The LSAT is a skills test for law school entry, while the Bar is a knowledge test for legal licensure, making the Bar a more brutal hurdle after years of legal study, acting as the public's final defense against incompetence.
 

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. 

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 2021 after failing it three times. She plans to retake the main bar exam, as there's no limit on retakes in California.
 

Did JFK ever pass the bar exam?

Kennedy earned a Juris Doctor degree from the New York University School of Law in 1989. He then failed the New York bar exam twice before passing on his third try in July 1990. After failing the exam for a second time, Kennedy vowed that he would continue to take it until he was 95 years old or passed.

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 is Elon Musk's SAT score?

Elon Musk reportedly scored a 1400 on the SAT, according to Walter Isaacson's biography, which would have translated to a high IQ (mid-130s) for that era, though some estimates vary, highlighting that SAT scores don't fully capture complex abilities like creativity and leadership. 

Did Mark Zuckerberg score 1600 on SAT?

Yes, reports indicate that Mark Zuckerberg achieved a perfect score of 1600 on the SAT when he took it, showcasing exceptional academic ability before attending Harvard, where he later famously dropped out to focus on Facebook (now Meta).