LSAT SCORES: A BRIEF EXPLANATION

The LSAT is scored on a scale of 120-180; 120 is a bad score and 180 is an excellent score.

Test scores are based on how many questions you answer correctly; you do not lose points for incorrect answers so do not leave any blank answers because you may be able to gain a few points with either educated or lucky guesses. Every law school puts a different significance on your LSAT score in determining whether to grant you admission.

A "perfect" score of 180 can be attained on the LSAT even if you have answered a couple of questions incorrectly. Getting a dozen wrong would give you a score of about 170, which is in the top ten percent of all test takers. Getting 40 wrong would give you a score of about 152 and put you in the top 40 percent of all test takers. The majority of test takers score between 145 and 160.

The test consists of three types of multiple choice questions, and there are approximately 100 multiple choice questions overall which are scored. The three types of questions focus on reading comprehension, analytical reasoning (logic games), and logical reasoning. The three types of questions are broken up into five sections of approximately 25 questions per section totaling 125 questions in all. One of the five sections is an experimental section that is not scored. Your score is based on one reading comprehension section, one analytical reasoning section, and two logical reasoning sections. The test also has a writing portion, but this section is not scored although it is sent to every school to which you apply.

Below is a link to an excellent article that explains how scoring is done. http://www.powerscore.com/lsat/help/scale.htm .

For those who take multiple LSATs a good article on how law schools assess those multiple exams is located at http://www.deloggio.com/academic/twolsat.htm .

Other related articles on this website include LSAT Scores' Importance and LSAT: Give Your All!

Good luck on the LSAT!

Michael Santana
michael.santana@lawboost.com

If you have any questions or comments about this article, or want to write your own article about the pre-law or law school process, feel free to contact me.