LSAT Test Score Calculator: How It Works

The LSAT test score calculator converts your raw score (number of correct answers) into a scaled score between 120 and 180. You enter the number of questions you answered correctly, and the calculator applies the official scoring table for your specific test to give you your scaled score and percentile rank.

Formula

The LSAT is scored on a curve, so the exact conversion from raw score to scaled score varies by test administration. However, a common approximation used by many prep companies is:

Scaled Score ≈ 120 + (Raw Score / Total Questions) × 60

Where:

• Raw Score = number of questions answered correctly (0 to total questions)
• Total Questions = total number of scored questions on the test (typically 99–101, but the modern LSAT has 100–102)
• Scaled Score = the 120–180 score reported to law schools

This linear formula gives a rough estimate. The actual conversion is a nonlinear curve designed to keep scores comparable across different test versions. For example, a raw score of 60 on a 100-question test would give approximately 156 using the formula, but the official scaled score might be 157 or 155 depending on the test’s difficulty.

Worked Example

Using the default values from the calculator above (raw score = 60, total questions = 100):

1. Divide raw by total: 60 / 100 = 0.6
2. Multiply by 60: 0.6 × 60 = 36
3. Add 120: 120 + 36 = 156
4. So the estimated scaled score is 156.

The percentile rank is simply the raw percentage: 60%. That means you scored better than roughly 60% of test-takers if the test is average, but actual percentiles depend on the score distribution.

How the Official LSAT Scoring Works

The LSAT is not scored like a typical exam where a fixed percentage equals a fixed grade. Instead, LSAC (the Law School Admission Council) uses a process called equating. Each test form has a slightly different difficulty level, so raw scores are converted to scaled scores using a table that adjusts for those differences. For instance, on an easier test, you might need 70 correct answers to get a 160, while on a harder test, 68 correct might suffice.

The scaled score ranges from 120 (lowest) to 180 (highest). The median score is typically around 150–152. The percentile rank tells you what percentage of test-takers scored below you. For example, a scaled score of 165 usually corresponds to about the 90th percentile.

Your LSAT score is the single most important factor in law school admissions, often weighted more heavily than your GPA. Schools publish their median LSAT scores, and a score above a school’s median significantly boosts your chances of admission.

Common Mistakes When Calculating Your Score

• Using the wrong total questions: The LSAT has changed over the years. The current format (starting in 2024) has 100 scored questions, but older tests had 101 or 102. Always check the specific test’s total.
• Forgetting that some questions are unscored: The LSAT includes an experimental section that does not count toward your score. If you include those questions in your total, your raw score will be off.
• Assuming the linear formula is exact: The formula in this calculator is an approximation. The official conversion table is not linear, especially at the extremes. For example, a raw score of 0 gives a scaled score of 120, but a raw score of 1 might give 121 or 122, not 120.6.
• Mixing up raw score and scaled score: Your raw score is simply the count of correct answers. The scaled score is what law schools see. Always convert before comparing to school medians.

How to Use This Calculator Effectively

This calculator is best used for practice tests. When you take a timed practice LSAT, you can enter your raw score to get an immediate scaled score estimate. This helps you track your progress and set target scores.

To get the most accurate estimate, use the official conversion table that comes with the practice test if available. Many prep books include a table for each test. If not, this calculator gives a decent approximation.

Remember that your actual LSAT score may differ slightly from your practice scores due to test-day conditions, but the correlation is strong. Most students score within a few points of their average practice score.

Limitations of the Linear Approximation

The linear formula used here is a simplification. The real conversion curve is designed so that the distribution of scaled scores is roughly consistent across administrations. This means the curve is steeper in the middle range (raw scores around 50–70) and flatter at the extremes. For example, going from a raw score of 40 to 50 might increase your scaled score by 8 points, but going from 80 to 90 might only increase it by 5 points.

Because of this, the linear formula can be off by 1–3 points, especially if your raw score is very high or very low. For most purposes, this is acceptable, but if you are close to a school’s median, you should use the official table.

Another limitation is that percentile ranks change over time as the pool of test-takers changes. The percentile shown here is based on your raw percentage, not the actual LSAT percentile. The real percentile for a scaled score of 156 is typically around 60–65%, so it is close but not exact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good LSAT score?

A good LSAT score depends on your target law schools. The average score is about 152. To get into a top-14 law school, you generally need a score of 165 or higher. For a top-50 school, aim for 160 or above. Check the median LSAT scores of the schools you are interested in to set a specific goal.

How many questions can I get wrong and still get a 170?

On a typical LSAT with 100 scored questions, you can miss about 10–12 questions and still score 170. However, this varies by test difficulty. On an easier test, you might need to miss fewer than 10; on a harder test, you might be able to miss 13. The exact number is determined by the equating process.

Is the LSAT scored on a curve?

Yes, but it is more accurate to say it is equated. The raw-to-scaled conversion is adjusted so that scores are comparable across different test administrations. This ensures that a 160 on one test means the same thing as a 160 on another, regardless of difficulty.

Can I use a calculator on the LSAT?

No, you cannot use a calculator on the LSAT. The test is designed to be completed without one, and all math required is basic arithmetic. You are only allowed to use the scratch paper provided by the test center.

How long does it take to get your LSAT score?

LSAT scores are typically released about 3–4 weeks after the test date. You will receive an email from LSAC when your score is available in your online account. The score is usually released on a specific date announced in advance.

What is the lowest LSAT score I can get?

The lowest possible LSAT score is 120. This is the floor of the scaled score range. Even if you answer every question incorrectly, your score will be 120, not 0. Similarly, the highest possible score is 180.

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in raw | Raw Score (correct answers) | - | 60 | 0
in total | Total Questions on Test | - | 100 | 0
out scaled | Scaled Score (120-180) | - | 120 + (raw / total) * 60 | 0
out pct | Approx. Percentile Rank | % | (raw / total) * 100 | 1