Which LSAT score do law schools look at?
Asked by: Ava Conroy | Last update: April 24, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (32 votes)
Law schools primarily look at your highest LSAT score, as this is the figure reported for U.S. News rankings, though they can see all your scores and may consider improvement as a sign of perseverance. While the highest score matters most, a strong score improvement can be viewed positively, while multiple low scores might raise concerns, so aim to improve significantly if you retake the test. A score of 160+ is often needed for top schools, with medians around 170+ for T14, but ranges vary by institution.
What LSAT score do law schools look at?
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.
Is a 152 LSAT bad?
A 152 LSAT score is considered average to slightly above average, sitting right around the median (50th percentile) for all test-takers, making it a decent starting point but potentially not strong enough for highly competitive law schools; it's a good score for less selective programs but requires significant score improvement (often into the 160s or higher) for top-tier schools.
Is a 147 a bad LSAT score?
A 147 LSAT score is considered low (around the 30th percentile) but not necessarily "bad," especially as a diagnostic score, meaning you likely can improve significantly with focused study, but it might be challenging for highly-ranked law schools, requiring flexibility with target schools or retaking the test to reach the average (around 150-153) or higher for better opportunities.
What was 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 do law schools look at multiple LSAT scores?
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.
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 percent of LSAT takers get a 170?
Only about 2-4% of LSAT test-takers score a 170 or higher, with recent data suggesting it's around the 96th percentile, meaning you score better than roughly 96 out of 100 test-takers, making it an excellent score that places you in the top few percentile for law school admissions. Percentiles can shift slightly with each test, but 170 consistently remains a very strong score, with about 4.4% scoring 170+ on recent tests.
Should I cancel a 146 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.
Should I retake the LSAT if I got a 157?
An LSAT score of 157 is a decent score (approximately at the 74th percentile) and will not make a law school applicant unwanted and retaking the LSAT is certainly a viable option.
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 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.
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.
Is GPA or LSAT more important?
In general terms, it can be said that law schools value LSAT scores more than they do your undergraduate GPA. However, just how much weight your LSAT score carries will vary between law programs and depends entirely on the preference and acceptance practices of each specific institution.
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.
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.
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.
Can you get into Harvard law with a 170 LSAT?
A 170 LSAT score is very strong and puts you at the 25th percentile for Harvard Law (HLS), meaning it's competitive but not a guarantee, as most admitted students score higher (median is around 173-175). While a 170 is good, you'll need an exceptional GPA (around 3.9+) and outstanding essays, work experience, or personal story to be a truly competitive applicant, as HLS uses holistic review.
What LSAT score do I need for Yale?
Yale Law School has an exceptionally high median LSAT score, typically around 174, with the middle 50% falling between 171-177, though scores range from 155 to 180, and they accept GRE scores as an alternative. While high scores are crucial, Yale uses a holistic review, so a perfect score isn't guaranteed, and lower scores can be offset by extraordinary application strengths, notesYale Law School Admissions and Yale Law School.
Who got the highest LSAT score ever?
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 turned down the role of Elle in Legally Blonde?
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.
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.
Is the baby bar harder than the bar?
The Baby Bar (First-Year Law Student's Exam or FYLSE) isn't inherently harder than the full California Bar Exam, but its lower pass rates make it seem harder, largely because it's taken by students on non-traditional paths (like law office study or unaccredited schools) who are often less prepared, testing only Contracts, Criminal Law, and Torts, while the full Bar covers many more subjects. While the Baby Bar has a smaller scope, its low passage rates (sometimes below 30%) highlight the challenge for those lacking traditional law school training.
How did Kim lose 16lbs in 3 weeks?
She lost 16 pounds in 3 weeks to fit into her vintage Met Gala gown. How did Kardashian lose weight? She says she cut carbs and ate “just the cleanest veggies and protein.” She also ran on a treadmill and wore a sauna suit twice a day. Kardashian's 3-week weight loss sparked concern over the impact on mental health.