LSAT format overview - Scoring scale and conversion

Learning Outcomes

By reading this article, you will gain a precise understanding of how the LSAT is structured, how your exam is scored, and how raw scores are converted to the 120–180 scale. You will be able to describe the score conversion process, the concept of score bands, and the significance of percentiles. You will also be equipped to apply this knowledge when planning your LSAT preparation and target score strategy.

LSAT Syllabus

For LSAT, you are required to understand the structure and assessment method of the test as well as how your score is reported. When revising this article, focus on:

• the number and types of LSAT sections and questions
• how raw scores are calculated and converted to the official LSAT scale
• the meaning of the 120–180 score scale and score bands
• the importance of percentile ranks and how schools interpret your score
• understanding the test-day implications for guessing and time management

Test Your Knowledge

Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision.

1. What is the official range of scaled scores that the LSAT uses?
2. Does the LSAT deduct points for incorrect answers? Why is this important to know when guessing?
3. Which of the following statements is true about raw and scaled scores?
   a) All LSAT test forms have identical raw-to-scaled conversions.
   b) Your LSAT score is always reported as a percentile rank only.
   c) Your raw score is the number of questions answered correctly.
   d) You must answer every question to receive a scaled score.
4. What does a "score band" mean in the context of LSAT reporting?
5. Is a scaled score of 165 on one test form always equivalent to 165 raw points?

Introduction

Understanding the LSAT’s format and scoring is essential for goal-setting and effective test strategy. The LSAT is composed of multiple-choice sections and one unscored writing sample. Your performance is reported using both a raw score and a “scaled score” on a fixed 120–180 scale, with additional data provided by percentile ranking. The conversion between raw and scaled scores uses a statistical process known as “equating” to ensure fairness across different exam versions.

LSAT Section Overview

The LSAT consists of several 35-minute sections covering logical reasoning and reading comprehension. Each question answered correctly adds a point to your raw score. There are no deductions for incorrect responses, so every question left unanswered is a missed opportunity.

Key Term: raw score
The total number of questions you answer correctly across all scored LSAT sections. All questions are weighted equally; incorrect answers produce no penalty.

Key Term: scaled score
Your official LSAT score (between 120 and 180) that results from converting your raw score according to a standardized conversion table for a specific test form.

Scoring Scale: 120–180

The LSAT’s scaled score always falls within the range of 120 (lowest possible) to 180 (highest possible). This standardization enables comparison across different administrations and years, even when test difficulty varies.

Raw to Scaled Conversion

Your raw score is converted to a scaled score using a process called equating. This corrects for slight differences in test difficulty across different test forms and ensures fairness. As a result, the number of raw points required for a certain scaled score (e.g., 170) may vary slightly from one administration to another.

Key Term: equating
A statistical adjustment ensuring that scores on different LSAT versions can be compared directly. Equating compensates for minor differences in section difficulty.

Score Reporting and Percentiles

Your score report typically shows:

• Your scaled LSAT score (120–180)
• The corresponding percentile rank (showing the percentage of test-takers with a lower score)
• A “score band” reflecting measurement error (see below)

Percentile rank is important—law schools use it to compare candidates and to assess how rare a particular score was over recent years.

Key Term: percentile rank
The percentage of test-takers who scored lower than your reported scaled score, based on results from recent LSAT administrations.

Key Term: score band
A range of scaled scores centered on your reported score, within which your “true” LSAT ability most likely falls. Used to reflect measurement uncertainty.

Score Bands and Measurement Error

No standardized test is 100% precise. The LSAT provides a score band (for example, “162–168”) to account for natural variability—your “true score” on a different day would likely fall within this range. The standard error of measurement is usually around ±3 scaled points.

Official Conversion and Reporting

Raw-to-scaled conversion charts are published for each official LSAT. Example: On a particular form, 75 raw correct answers might be required for a 170, while on another, just 73. Always check the chart for your test date.

Worked Example 1.1

You answered 60 questions correctly out of 75 on your LSAT form. According to the conversion table for your specific test, a raw score of 60 corresponds to a scaled score of 156. Which number is considered your true LSAT result, and what additional information does your score report show?

Answer:
The scaled score of 156 is what law schools see as your official result. Your score report also includes a percentile rank (e.g., 70th percentile) and a score band (e.g., 153–159).

No Penalty for Guessing

The LSAT does not deduct points for wrong answers. This means you should never leave any question unanswered; every guess is a chance to add to your raw score.

Revision Tip

Always answer every question, even if you must guess—for scoring, a blank and an incorrect response are treated identically.

Exam Warning

Do not assume that a scaled score always reflects the same raw score. If you compare results across two test forms, a scaled 165 may require a slightly different number of raw correct answers.

Implications for Law School Applications

Law schools receive all your reported LSAT scores (except those you cancel within the permitted window). Most schools consider your highest score, though policies may vary. Percentile rank and score bands help admissions committees understand the context of your score.

Summary

Key Point Checklist

This article has covered the following key knowledge points:

• The LSAT is scored using both a raw score (correct answers) and a scaled 120–180 score
• Scaled scores are calculated via a statistical process called equating
• Percentile rank and score bands are provided on your report for additional context
• There is no penalty for incorrect answers—guessing is encouraged on all questions
• Law schools care most about your highest scaled score, but receive your entire LSAT record

Key Terms and Concepts

• raw score
• scaled score
• equating
• percentile rank
• score band