LSAT Exam Blog

LSAT FAQ

Question: What’s a Good Score on the LSAT Test?

Answer: Every law school has a different understanding of what constitutes a “good” LSAT score. So your target score must reflect the expectations of the law school that you want to enter.

Let’s start with the possibilities: every tester will score between 120-180 on the LSAT. 75% of all testers score between 140-160; half of the remainder score below that range, and half score above it.

If you score higher than 150, you will probably be accepted to a law school somewhere. For example, many state law schools have a student body with average LSAT scores in the low 150s. If you score 160 or higher, you’ll be considered a good candidate almost anywhere and you may become eligible for scholarships. To be a competitive candidate for admission into the very top law schools in the US, you’ll want to aim for a score of 165 or higher.

Thus a good LSAT score for you, depending on where you want to study, may be 20 points lower than the LSAT goal of someone who wants to enter Harvard Law – where the average LSAT score is in the 170s.

To set your target LSAT score, research the law schools that you want to attend and check out the average LSAT score of admitted students. Then design your test prep to try to reach or beat that score. If you fall a few points below the average, you still have a shot at admission. But you may want to re-think your application, or re-test, if you score more than 3 points below the average.

Remember that all law schools take LSAT scores very seriously. The higher you can score, the more likely you’ll be admitted to the colleges of your choice. So plan ahead, prepare well, and test when you’ve reached your top ability.

Question: When Will I Get My LSAT Scores?

Answer: You can find out your LSAT scores 3 weeks after the test by e-mail or telephone, or about 4 weeks later by mail.

If you’re registered online at the LSAC website, you will automatically receive your score by e-mail 3 weeks after the test and will not automatically receive a hard copy by mail. So make sure that your e-mail address is correct in your LSAC online account! You’ll also be able to see your scores by logging into your LSAC account. If you want a hard copy of your LSAT scores, you’ll have to pay $25 as a one-time fee that allows you to receive all online LSAC documents by mail.

If you’re not registered on the LSAC website, your LSAT score will be mailed out 4 weeks after the test at no cost. If that’s too long to wait, you can call into TelScore to obtain your score and percentile rank 3 weeks after the test. But it’s not free; you will have to pay a $10 fee by credit card. Call TelScore at (215)968-1200 anytime except Sunday morning between 6 AM and 8AM (EST).

Question: When Can I Take the LSAT?

Answer: LSAT test dates have already been set from now until 2010. Every year, the LSAT is offered four times: in mid-February, mid-June, late September or early October, and early December. Here’s the official list, so go ahead and choose the date that’s best for you!

2008

• Monday, June 16, 12:30 PM
• Saturday, October 4, 8:30 AM
• Saturday, December 6, 8:30 AM

2009

• Saturday, February 7, 8:30 AM
• Monday, June 8, 12:30 PM
• Saturday, September 26, 8:30 AM
• Saturday, December 5, 8:30 AM

2010

• Saturday, February 6, 8:30 AM

For further information about deadlines for registration and date changes, visit the official LSAT website.

Note: If you observe the Sabbath on Saturday, there is an option of taking the LSAT on the Monday following the test date listed above. The only exception is the September 2009 administration, when the alternative test is offered on the following Tuesday. These alternative LSAT administrations begin at 8:30 AM as usual.