Understanding LSAT Scoring: What Is The LSAT Out Of And Why It Matters

Planning to attend law school? Then you need to understand what the LSAT is all about. The Law School Admission Test (LSAT)® isn’t just another standardized exam—it’s specifically designed to assess whether you’re ready for law school. Developed by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC)®, the test measures logical thinking, argumentation skills and reading comprehension abilities that are crucial for legal studies.

The Basics: What You’re Actually Getting Tested On

The LSAT evaluates five core areas: reading comprehension, analytical reasoning (commonly called logic games), logical reasoning, writing, and a variable experimental section. These aren’t random skill areas—they directly mirror what you’ll need to succeed in your first year of law school and beyond as a legal professional.

The exam is particularly rigorous because each section contains dense material with limited time. You’re looking at roughly 25 questions per section, and each section only gives you 35 minutes to work through them. The good news? Incorrect answers don’t count against you—only your correct answers matter.

How The LSAT Scoring System Works

Here’s the critical part: what is the LSAT out of? The answer is important for understanding where you stand. Your final score ranges from 120 to 180 on the scale score system. This scale score is what law schools care about most—not your raw number of correct answers, but how that raw score converts to this 120-180 scale.

According to LSAC research, the median LSAT score sits at 153. This benchmark gives you a reference point: scoring above 153 puts you in above-average territory, which can significantly boost your law school application prospects. Many competitive law schools expect applicants to score well into the 160s or higher.

Breaking Down The Test Structure And Timing

The actual LSAT experience spans roughly three hours. The multiple-choice portion consists of four sections—three of which are scored. The fourth section is experimental and doesn’t count toward your final score; it helps LSAC test new questions. You’ll tackle analytical reasoning, reading comprehension, and logical reasoning across these sections, with 10-minute breaks between the second and third sections.

The writing sample happens separately and isn’t scored. However, you must complete it to access your multiple-choice results. Unlike the timed pressure of the multiple-choice sections, you can take the writing portion on your own schedule, anytime within an eight-day window before your test date.

What Each Section Actually Tests

Reading Comprehension pushes you to analyze dense, complex texts—the kind you’ll encounter daily as a lawyer. You’ll read four sets of passages (including one comparative reading with two shorter texts) and answer detailed questions about main ideas, explicit and implicit information, and text structure.

Analytical Reasoning is where logic games come in. This section presents scenarios with rules and facts, asking you to determine what must or could be true. You’re essentially practicing the deductive reasoning you’ll use when analyzing contracts, regulations or case facts.

Logical Reasoning focuses on argumentation—identifying argument components, spotting flaws, drawing conclusions and evaluating how new evidence impacts a position. Since law revolves around persuasive argumentation, this section is fundamental.

The Investment: Understanding LSAT Costs

Taking the LSAT isn’t free, so budget accordingly. The exam fee itself is $215, including the writing sample. If you retake it, that’s another $215 per attempt.

Beyond the exam fee, most accredited law schools require you to use LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS). A CAS subscription costs $195 and stays active for five years—giving you access to application processing for all ABA-approved law schools. For each school you apply to, CAS generates a report of your documents and LSAT scores for an additional $45 per school.

There are also optional costs worth considering. An LSAT score preview ($45 before test day, $75 after) lets you decide whether to keep or cancel your score before it’s reported. An official score report ($50) shows all scores you’ve earned, including non-reportable ones. If you want a score audit for reassessment, that runs $150.

Why The LSAT Matters For Your Future

ABA-accredited law schools require the LSAT for admission, making it non-negotiable. Your score tells schools more than just whether you passed—it predicts how you’ll perform in your first year of studies. An above-average score opens doors to better schools, scholarships, and career opportunities.

If you’re still asking “should I go to law school?”, taking the LSAT can help clarify your answer. The test itself becomes part of your decision-making process, showing you whether your skills align with legal studies demands.

The bottom line: understanding what the LSAT is out of (120-180 scale), how it’s structured, and what it costs helps you prepare strategically and make informed decisions about your legal education journey.