What percentile is 170 LSAT?

Asked by: Miss Scarlett Marvin I  |  Last update: April 18, 2026
Score: 5/5 (75 votes)

A 170 LSAT score typically falls around the 96th to 98th percentile, meaning you scored better than 96-98% of test-takers, depending on the specific testing year's curve, but it's consistently an excellent score for top law school admissions, placing you in the top few percentiles overall.

Is a 170 a good LSAT score?

Yes, a 170 is an excellent LSAT score, placing you in the top 3-4% of test-takers, making you a very strong candidate for highly-ranked law schools and significantly boosting scholarship chances, though it doesn't guarantee admission to the absolute top-tier schools like Yale or Harvard, where scores often need to be 175+. 

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.

How did Elle Woods get a 179 on the LSAT?

Elle surrounded herself with numerous LSAT prep books, emphasizing the importance of using real LSAT questions for practice. This approach is essential for understanding complex concepts and patterns unique to the LSAT.

What separates 160s from 170+ LSAT scores?

15 related questions found

How rare is a 179 LSAT?

A 179 LSAT score is extremely rare, placing you in the top 0.1% (around the 99.8th percentile), meaning only a tiny fraction of test-takers achieve it, making it competitive for admission to virtually any law school, including the most elite programs. While the perfect score of 180 is even rarer, a 179 is just one point shy and considered a near-perfect performance, often making a retake unnecessary due to the small statistical gain and high risk of scoring lower.
 

How unrealistic is Legally Blonde?

IN THE COURTROOM (NOT real!)

First of all, a 1L representing a client in a criminal trial is not real. The rule that Elle uses to justify her role is real, but it only applies to students in their final year of law school. As a 1L, the most you're doing for a real lawyer is research and drafting memos.

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).

Does passing the baby bar make you a lawyer?

No, passing the "Baby Bar" (First-Year Law Students' Examination or FYLSE) in California does not make you a lawyer, but it's a crucial step for non-traditional students to continue their legal education and qualify to take the full California Bar Exam, which, along with character & fitness, is required for licensure. The Baby Bar tests first-year law subjects (Contracts, Criminal Law, Torts), while the main Bar Exam tests a much broader range of law, and passing it is the final hurdle before becoming a licensed attorney. 

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.
 

Did Michelle Obama finish law school?

Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Born in Chicago and raised on the South Side of the city, Obama is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School. In her early legal career, she worked at the law firm Sidley Austin where she met her future husband.

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.

Where can I go with a 170 LSAT?

A: A 170 LSAT score is competitive at nearly all U.S. law schools, including the top law schools. Schools like Duke University, UCLA, UC Berkeley, and Boston University list 170 as their median LSAT score.

Which is harder, MCAT or LSAT?

The difficulty of the LSAT vs MCAT is subjective and depends on an individual's strengths and interests. Some may find the MCAT more challenging due to its extensive scientific content, while others may struggle more with the LSAT because of its emphasis on logical reasoning and comprehension skills.

How many people get a 170+ on 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.

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.

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 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. 

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 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. 

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.

Who turned down the role of Elle Woods?

Christina Applegate turned down the role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde because she was hesitant to play another "ditzy blonde" character after her time on Married... with Children, though she later called it a "stupid move" and expressed regret, realizing the character's potential and praising Reese Witherspoon for her portrayal.
 

Does Elle Woods have autism?

No, Elle Woods from Legally Blonde is not officially written as autistic, but many fans and viewers interpret her character as potentially being on the autism spectrum due to exhibiting traits like intense focus on interests (fashion, law), strong memory, attention to detail, literal thinking, and social communication challenges that resonate with autistic experiences, leading to theories that she's "coded autistic" or displays autistic traits. 

How does Reese Witherspoon feel about Legally Blonde?

Reese Witherspoon, who played Elle, recently confirmed that there is a script for a Legally Blonde 3. It's clearly a role that she adored playing, as she often positively refers back to it.