The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a crucial component of the law school application process.
It is used to determine whether a candidate has the ability to perform the complexity of law education. An understanding of percentiles is an important LSAT aspect that is taken into account by both candidates and law schools.
In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of LSAT percentiles, their importance, how they are calculated, and their implications for law school admissions and beyond.
LSAT Percentiles
Percentiles provide a measure of an individual’s relative position within a group.
LSAT percentiles are a statistical measure used to compare an individual’s LSAT score to the scores of other test-takers who have taken the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) within a specific period, typically the past three years.
For example, if a test-taker has a percentile rank of 75, it means their score is higher than or equal to the scores of 75% of the test-takers within the same cohort.
Percentile ranks provide a standardized benchmark that allows applicants to understand how their LSAT score compares to the broader population of test-takers.
What Is A Good LSAT Score
In general, “a good LSAT score” is defined as one above 160. However, an ideal LSAT score highly depends on the institution to which you are applying.
The test is scored on a scale of 120 to 180, with 150 being the median score.
A good LSAT score depends on a number of factors, including the law schools you are applying to and your overall academic profile.
However, in general, a score of 160 or above is considered to be a good LSAT score. This means that you scored in the top 50% of all test-takers.
How LSAT Percentiles Are Calculated?
LSAT percentiles are calculated by comparing your score to the scores of other test-takers who have taken the LSAT in recent years. The LSAT is scored on a scale of 120 to 180, with 150 being the median score.
To calculate your LSAT percentile, the LSAC (Law School Admissions Council) first determines the average score for all test-takers who took the LSAT in a given year.
Then, they divide the test-takers into percentiles, with the 1st percentile being the lowest and the 99th percentile being the highest.
For example, if you scored 160 on the LSAT, you would be in the 15th percentile. This means you scored better than 15% of all test-takers who took the LSAT the same year.
The LSAC publishes LSAT percentiles for each year that the test is administered. These percentiles can be used to compare your score to other test-takers and to see how your score stacks up against the average score for law school applicants.
Types Of LSAT Scores
There are three types of LSAT scores:
- Raw score: These are the questions you answered correctly on the test. It is further converted to a scaled score on a scale of 120 to 180.
- Scaled score: This is the score that is reported on your LSAT score report. The scaled score is a more accurate reflection of your performance on the test than the raw score, as it considers the test’s difficulty.
- Percentile: This is the percentage of test-takers who scored lower than you on the LSAT. Your percentile is determined by comparing your scaled score to the scores of other test-takers who took the LSAT in the same year.
LSAT Scores By School
Let’s take a closer look at the LSAT score distribution for a few colleges in the table below.
| Law School | LSAT Score 25th Percentile | LSAT Score Median | LSAT Score 75th Percentile |
| Yale University | 170 | 173 | 176 |
| Harvard University | 170 | 173 | 175 |
| Columbia University | 169 | 172 | 173 |
| Stanford University | 169 | 171 | 174 |
| University of Chicago | 167 | 171 | 173 |
| New York University | 167 | 170 | 172 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 164 | 170 | 171 |
| University of Virginia | 164 | 170 | 172 |
| Northwestern University | 165 | 169 | 171 |
| University of Michigan | 164 | 169 | 170 |
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Conclusion: LSAT Percentiles (2024)
A high LSAT score is necessary for people who want to get accepted into prestigious law schools.
Although college administrators consider other factors, the LSAT is one of them. As it indicates how a student will perform in their program, it is crucial to start preparing well in advance of the test.
By leveraging this knowledge, applicants can set realistic goals, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and present a strong application package to their desired law schools.