LSAT Guide 2026
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is scored on a 120-180 scale. The national average score is approximately 152. The LSAT tests logical reasoning, analytical reasoning (logic games), and reading comprehension. Starting in 2024, the analytical reasoning section was removed from the digital LSAT, leaving logical reasoning and reading comprehension sections.
LSAT Scores by School Tier
| School Tier | LSAT Range | Median | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yale, Harvard, Stanford | 172-180 | 174 | 99th+ |
| Columbia, NYU, Chicago, Penn | 170-175 | 172 | 99th |
| Michigan, Virginia, Duke, Northwestern | 167-173 | 170 | 97th-99th |
| Cornell, Georgetown, UCLA, Texas | 165-171 | 167 | 94th-97th |
| T14-25 Schools | 162-168 | 164 | 89th-94th |
| T25-50 Schools | 156-163 | 159 | 74th-89th |
| T50-100 Schools | 150-157 | 153 | 55th-74th |
| Regional Schools | 144-152 | 148 | 32nd-55th |
When to Take the LSAT
| Test Date | Notes |
|---|---|
| January | Good for spring applicants retaking; later in cycle |
| March | Rarely used by first-time takers; mostly retakes |
| April | Usable for next fall cycle if applying in summer |
| June | Recommended first attempt for fall applicants; strong prep window |
| August | Good for retakes or late first-timers; still timely for fall apps |
| October | Last comfortable sitting for fall cycle; acceptable for rolling admissions |
| November | Late for competitive schools; still processed before most deadlines |
LSAT Prep Resources
7Sage
$109-$449Online course
Strong analytics, blind review method, free JD predictor
PowerScore Bibles
$40-$120Self-study books
Thorough explanation of LR and LG fundamentals
Khan Academy LSAT
FreeFree platform
Official LSAC partnership, adaptive practice, good for starting out
Blueprint
$299-$599Online course
Structured video lessons, strong for visual learners
Kaplan
$449-$2,000+Course/tutoring
Wide availability, live and on-demand options
Cambridge LSAT
$40-$80Prep tests
Large bank of real LSAT PrepTests with explanations
LSAT Retake Strategy
- Most schools use your highest score. All ABA-accredited schools now use the highest LSAT score for admissions consideration, not the average. However, all scores remain visible to admissions committees.
- A 5+ point improvement is a meaningful retake. If your diagnostic practice tests suggest you can score significantly higher, a retake is worthwhile. A 1-2 point increase is rarely worth delaying your application.
- Address the cause before retaking. Analyze which section or question types dragged your score down and target those specifically rather than just taking more practice tests.
- LSAC allows 3 LSATs per testing year, 5 within 5 years. Use retakes strategically, not reflexively.
LSAT information current as of March 2026. Always verify current testing policies with LSAC directly. Updated 27 March 2026.