Learn what the “average” LSAT score range is, steps that you can take to achieve that range or higher, and, finally, what to consider if you don’t meet the average score. 

The LSAT Score Average and Distribution 

The Law School Admission Test score, or LSAT score, is graded on a scale of 120-180 with 180 as the highest. The average LSAT score typically falls around 152. It is crucial for gaining entry into law school. It is a scaled exam that follows a bell-curve distribution (see picture below, courtesy of a Law School Admission Council (LSAC) research report), which means that the majority of scores tend to cluster around the middle and become less frequent toward either end.

During the 2019-2020 testing year, the average LSAT score was ~152, and the previous average was ~151. In general, you’ll tend to see the national average LSAT scores hovering in the low 150s. We won’t get carried away with the statistics of it all, but one standard deviation is roughly equivalent to 10 points, meaning that about 68% of test takers tend to fall between 142 and 162. 

What is a good LSAT score? 

Well, the short answer is that it depends! Getting the highest LSAT score would be great; however, along with your LSAT score, you’ll get your percentile as well, which matters as much as your score. See the chart below for an example of how your score and your percentile relate to each other. 

So, if you scored a 173 this year, that means you scored better than 99.4% of all LSAT test takers during that year! 

LSAT experts recommend aiming for a score around 150 for admission into an American Bar Association  (ABA)-accredited law school. Now, if you’re aiming for one of the top 25 law schools in the country, you’ll likely be aiming for a good LSAT score of 160+ as a general rule, and a 170 or more for the elusive top 10.

However, one nice thing about law schools is that they actually take a lot of the guesswork out of determining your goal LSAT range for you. Each year, they release the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles of their entering class’s LSAT scores through the ABA’s required disclosures. This information also includes the same percentiles of GPA, so that you can see where you fall within the applicant profile on the “hard” numbers. 

Let’s say, for example, that your dream law school is UC Berkeley. For the class of 2025, their median LSAT score was a 170, with a 25th percentile of 167 and a 75th percentile of 172. Accordingly, you’d likely want to aim for a little above the median LSAT score (so, a 171+) to be a competitive applicant, and a bit higher than that if your GPA is below their median of 3.83. 

Of course, the LSAT isn’t the end-all-be-all of law school! Things like GPA, your personal statement, your work experience, recommendations, and your background all play a role in law school admissions. But, to set yourself up with the best chance for success, you do want to do your research into the LSAT ranges of the schools you are interested in and set your goals accordingly. 

What should I do if I fall short of the average score? 

Many students wonder if a “low” LSAT score will make going to law school impossible. And while your LSAT score and undergraduate academic record are the most predictive factors in your admissions chances, they are not the full story. Here are some factors (though by no means exhaustive) that can help  balance out your LSAT score when law schools are considering your application: 

• Summer, extracurricular, and work experiences 
• Meaningful publications and papers 
• A killer personal statement and essays
• A strong GPA (especially in a STEM or otherwise rigorous major) 
• Reputation of undergraduate school 

How can I get my LSAT score to average or higher? 

Blueprint Prep has a variety of LSAT prep courses tailored to your individual learning style. From a DIY Self-Paced Online LSAT Course to a Live LSAT Class to our new, intensive 170+ LSAT course, and even a private LSAT tutor, we have the LSAT course designed to increase your LSAT score by 15 points, on average! 

Don’t want to commit to a prep course right now? Get access to a bunch of free LSAT resources when you create a Blueprint LSAT account, ranging from an LSAT diagnostic test and study plan to flashcards and performance analytics. And when you’re finally ready to make the final jump into LSAT prep, we’ll be here to help!