LSAT Raw Score Conversion: Score Types & Conversion Chart
Staring at your LSAT score report? Are you confused about what those numbers on your LSAT score report mean? In this blog, we will start by explaining raw, scaled, and percentile LSAT scores, what they measure, and how they relate to each other. Most importantly, you’ll also learn how to convert these scores like a pro!
LSAT Score Types
Instead of simply counting the number of questions answered correctly, the LSAT score is reported in two ways: a raw score and a scaled score.
The familiar 120–180 range represents the scaled score. Your raw LSAT score, simply the number of questions answered correctly, is converted to this scaled score using a conversion table. For example, 67 correct answers translate to a 170, while 58 map to a 162.
However, these conversions can vary slightly between tests due to differences in overall difficulty. For instance, a 58 might have earned a 150 or 152 on a previous test.
This is why LSAT percentile scores are used, indicating how your score compares to others who took the test within three years. While the conversion from scaled score to percentile fluctuates slightly over time, a 153-scaled score generally remains around the 50th percentile.
LSAT Raw Score Conversion
While the LSAT scores range from 120 (lowest) to 180 (highest), your raw score (number of questions answered correctly) doesn’t directly translate to these 61 possibilities.
To account for subtle variations in test difficulty and performance, the Law School Admission Council uses a unique conversion chart. This chart converts your raw score into a scaled score from 120 to 180, adjusting slightly for each test administration.
Think of it as a curve that adapts to the overall difficulty, meaning a harder test might offer a more forgiving curve for scoring. However, don’t be fooled by “easy” comparisons; the LSAT exam remains a challenging, and all scores are relative based on the specific testing pool.
Read More: Good LSAT Score: Gateway to Top Law Schools
LSAT Raw Score Conversion Chart
While the LSAT’s format has evolved to include only three scoring sections and roughly 75 points, the scoring principles established during the May 2020 LSAT Flex remain relevant. Below, you’ll find the scoring scale released by LSAC for that administration for your reference.
REPORTED LSAT SCORE | LOWEST RAW LSAT SCORE | HIGHEST RAW LSATSCORE |
---|---|---|
180 | 74 | 75 |
179 | 73 | 73 |
178 | n/a | n/a |
177 | 72 | 72 |
176 | 71 | 71 |
175 | n/a | n/a |
174 | 70 | 70 |
173 | 69 | 69 |
172 | n/a | n/a |
171 | 68 | 68 |
170 | 67 | 67 |
169 | 66 | 66 |
168 | 65 | 65 |
167 | 64 | 64 |
166 | 63 | 63 |
165 | 62 | 61 |
164 | 60 | 61 |
163 | 59 | 59 |
162 | 58 | 58 |
161 | 57 | 57 |
160 | 55 | 56 |
159 | 54 | 54 |
158 | 53 | 53 |
157 | 51 | 52 |
156 | 50 | 50 |
155 | 48 | 49 |
154 | 47 | 47 |
153 | 45 | 46 |
152 | 44 | 44 |
151 | 43 | 43 |
150 | 42 | 42 |
149 | 40 | 41 |
148 | 39 | 39 |
147 | 37 | 38 |
146 | 36 | 36 |
145 | 35 | 35 |
144 | 34 | 34 |
143 | 33 | 33 |
142 | 31 | 32 |
141 | 30 | 30 |
140 | 29 | 29 |
139 | 28 | 28 |
138 | 27 | 27 |
137 | 26 | 26 |
136 | 25 | 25 |
135 | 24 | 24 |
134 | 23 | 23 |
133 | 22 | 22 |
132 | 21 | 21 |
131 | 20 | 20 |
130 | n/a | n/a |
129 | 19 | 19 |
128 | 18 | 18 |
127 | 17 | 17 |
126 | n/a | n/a |
125 | 16 | 16 |
124 | n/a | n/a |
123 | 15 | 15 |
122 | 14 | 14 |
121 | n/a | n/a |
120 | 0 | 13 |
Read More: How To Prepare For The LSAT: Resources, Practice Papers & Study Pan
From the Desk of Yocket
The LSAT score conversion ensures that scores are comparable across different LSAT administrations, even if the tests are of varying difficulty. This ensures a test taker’s performance is accurately assessed, regardless of the specific test they took.
Scaled scores offer a nuanced view of test-taker performance, creating a consistent scale for evaluation. This aids admissions committees in assessing candidates contextually, considering test difficulty. For personalized insights, seek guidance from Yocket experts.
The 120–180 scaled score range provides a consistent and easily understood metric for comparing performance across different years and test formats. This simplifies score comparisons for both test takers and admissions committees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is my raw LSAT score converted to a scaled score?
Your raw LSAT score, which is the number of questions you answered correctly, is first converted to a percentage. This percentage is then compared to a conversion table specific to the test you took. Each test has its unique conversion table to account for differences in difficulty and test-taker performance.
Why does the LSAT conversion table change for each test?
The conversion table changes to ensure fair score comparisons across different LSAT administrations. If the table didn’t change, a high score on an easy test would be equivalent to a lower score on a harder test, which wouldn’t be accurate.
Can I find the conversion table for my test?
Yes! You can find the official conversion tables for all administered LSAT tests on the LSAC website. You can search for them by LSAT test date or test number.