What's a failing LSAT score?
Asked by: Felipe Hills DDS | Last update: March 5, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (69 votes)
There's no official "failing" LSAT score, as the test is scored 120-180 with 120 being the lowest, not a pass/fail; however, scores below the low 140s (like 120-140) are considered very low and significantly limit law school options, making admission difficult, while scores around 150 are average, and scores above 160 are generally competitive. Law schools look for scores above their median for accepted students, so a score that's "failing" for a top-tier school might still be competitive for a lower-ranked one, especially with a strong GPA.
What is a failing score on the LSAT?
If you are wondering what a good LSAT Score is, there is no failing or passing score on the LSAT.
Is a 140 a bad LSAT score?
If your LSAT score is in the 130s or low 140s, it's very hard to find an ABA law school anywhere in the US that will offer you unrestricted acceptance (especially in the increasingly competitive environment).
Is a 151 LSAT score bad?
The LSAT is scored on a 120-180 scale, with the average score around 153. Your raw score is converted to a scaled score using a unique formula for each test. Percentile scores show how you performed compared to other test-takers. A majority of LSAT test takers score between 145 and 160.
Is a 160 LSAT score bad?
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.
Getting over a Poor LSAT Score
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.
How realistic is a 170 LSAT?
A 170 LSAT percentile typically lands around the 96th percentile, meaning you've outperformed most people who took the test.
Did Kim Kardashian take the LSAT?
No, Kim Kardashian did not take the LSAT because she pursued a different path to becoming a lawyer, opting for a four-year law apprenticeship in California instead of traditional law school, which doesn't require the LSAT. Instead of LSAT prep, she focused on studying under practicing attorneys and passed California's "baby bar" (First-Year Law Students' Exam) in 2021 after several attempts, a prerequisite for her apprenticeship program.
Should I retake the LSAT if I got a 150?
You should retake the LSAT if your official score is 2-4+ points below your practice test average, you had a concrete test-day disruption, and you can seriously uplevel your prep without delaying your law school applications past the late fall early submission window—but don't retake if your practice tests match your ...
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.
Should I cancel my 149 LSAT score?
First we should state that, in general, we do not recommend canceling your LSAT score. Canceling has very few benefits—the test still counts toward your allotted 3 takes per cycle (and 5 takes per 5-year period, and 7 takes total), and it doesn't remove the test administration from your record.
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.
Do law schools care if you take LSAT twice?
Law schools do not average the scores for admission, but we always look at performance if you've taken the test more than once. Ideally, it would be best if every applicant could secure their ideal LSAT score on the first attempt, but that is often not the case. Law schools will report the highest LSAT score.
Is LSAT harder than bar?
Most people consider the Bar Exam harder than the LSAT because it requires memorizing vast amounts of "black letter law" and applying it under extreme pressure, whereas the LSAT tests reasoning skills, but the LSAT's difficulty lies in its highly competitive scoring and abstract logic, making high scores harder to achieve for top schools. The LSAT is a skill-based test for law school entry, while the Bar is a knowledge-based test for licensure, making the Bar more about rote learning and the LSAT about logical aptitude.
What is the lowest acceptable LSAT score?
For a successfully completed LSAT, test-takers receive a scaled score that falls between 120 and 180. Higher scores are more competitive, boosting your odds of admission, but law programs typically don't have a specific cut-off or minimum score to apply.
How many mistakes for 165 LSAT?
On a four section LSAT, you can miss roughly 18 questions and get a 165. On a three section LSAT, you can miss roughly 13 questions and get a 165.
Does LSAT outweigh GPA?
But exactly how important is your test score? In general terms, it can be said that law schools value LSAT scores more than they do your undergraduate GPA.
How many LSAT attempts?
How many times may I take the LSAT? Five times within the current reportable score period (i.e., since June 2020). A total of seven times over a lifetime.
What is the average LSAT score for first time takers?
For the 2024–25 cycle, LSAC reports that the average LSAT score is approximately 152 overall, and 151 for first-time test-takers. Among incoming JD students, the median score is around 158, with most falling between the mid-150s and low-160s.
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 common experience even for successful lawyers. She initially failed the bar, which was devastating, but she persevered and passed, later working as a lawyer before becoming the First Lady.
Did Obama take the LSAT?
This test played an important role in Obama's acceptance to Harvard Law School, setting the stage for his future successes. In this article, we will go into detail why LSAT scores are such a big deal in the world of law. We will see how these scores can bring you to a prestigious law school and set you up for life.
Is LSAT IQ?
The LSAT is not an IQ test. It does not measure intelligence the way IQ tests are designed to measure innate ability. A person who is very smart can receive a low LSAT score. A person who is very creative can receive a low LSAT score.
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.
Is the MCAT or LSAT harder?
Is the MCAT harder than the LSAT or GRE? Generally, yes. The MCAT is much longer (7.5 hours) and requires deep content knowledge in biology, physics, psychology, and critical thinking. The GRE and LSAT focus more on logic and verbal reasoning.
How many questions can I get wrong on the LSAT and still get a 170?
For example, on a more difficult test, you might be able to miss 8 questions and still get a 170. On an easier test, missing 8 questions might result in a 168.