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Most US and Canadian law schools require the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), but there are no firm requirements for scores. LSAT scores are calculated from five sections and converted to a numeric score on a scale of 120 to 180. Law schools only see a writing sample section without a score, and LSAT requirements for law schools usually include reasonably strong performance on the writing sample portion. A high LSAT score can distinguish one applicant from another, but there are no score-based LSAT requirements for law schools.
Most US and Canadian law schools require applicants to sit the Law School Admissions Test, or LSAT, as one of the few admissions requirements. Other than submitting at least a valid score, there are no firm LSAT requirements for law schools. Most schools consider LSAT scores as one of many factors when deciding whether to grant admission. While high scores are often weighted, few schools have real score requirements.
No standardized test can make a complete picture of the participant, and the LSAT is no different. As such, LSAT requirements for law schools generally call for a candidate to take the exam at least once within a five-year period prior to the application date. The five-year due date is set in part to ensure that candidates’ scores still reflect current skills, but also to allow for some flexibility for changes in schedule and life circumstances. Most of the time, candidates can apply for the exam up to three times in that five-year window, and schools generally only consider the highest score.
LSAT scores are calculated from student performance in five sections that include questions on reading comprehension, analytical thinking, and logical thinking. Raw scores are converted to numeric scores on a scale of 120 to 180. Each score is assigned a percentage rank, indicating how the test taker’s score compares to other candidates on the exam date. Law schools receive score reports with these numbers, but they are unable to assess performance in any section and are unable to see student responses to individual questions. Therefore, there are no LSAT requirements for law schools based on subject performance.
The only part of the LSAT exam that law schools see is a sixth section without a score, which is a writing sample. After completing the five multiple-choice sections, test takers have 35 minutes to respond to a written prompt. This prompt is not graded and does not take into account a student’s scaled score, but is broadcast to all schools that receive a score report. LSAT requirements for law schools usually include reasonably strong performance on the writing sample portion of the LSAT test, as a demonstration of thinking and communicating under pressure.
Law school admissions in the United States and Canada are typically very competitive, and a high LSAT score can distinguish one applicant from another. Median LSAT scores usually hover between 150 and 151, but the average score of students admitted to top-ranked schools is often much higher, often at least in the 160s. Obviously, these numbers are just averages. There are no score-based LSAT requirements for law schools, and students with lower scores still can and often do gain acceptance into even the best schools, depending on the strength of their other credentials.
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