Your LSAT score matters.
But your percentile is what tells admissions readers how that score compares to everyone else.
If two applicants both look strong on paper, percentile context can be the difference between "solid" and "statistically standout."
- LSAT percentile = the percentage of test scores below your score.
- Per LSAC's current 2022-2025 table, a 170 is about the 95th percentile and a 160 is about the 73rd percentile.
- Percentile is different from a law school's own 25th/50th/75th LSAT bands.
- You should use the most recent LSAC table, not older 2020 or 2021 charts.
- Small score increases in the high 160s and 170s can shift admissions outcomes meaningfully.
Current LSAT Percentiles (LSAC 2022-2025 Data)
LSAC's current LSAT Percentiles table reports:
| Scaled score | Percent below |
|---|---|
| 175 | 98.91% |
| 172 | 97.13% |
| 170 | 95.07% |
| 167 | 90.56% |
| 165 | 86.50% |
| 160 | 72.92% |
| 155 | 55.91% |
| 150 | 38.06% |
These percentages are why a few points near the top of the scale can be such a big deal.
What Percentile Actually Means
A percentile does not mean "you got that percent correct."
It means how you performed relative to the score distribution.
Example:
- 170 at 95.07% means your score is higher than about 95% of test scores in the LSAC reporting period.
Quick Answers to Common Score Questions
Using LSAC's current table:
- What percentile is 172? About 97.13%.
- What percentile is 170? About 95.07%.
- What percentile is 165? About 86.50%.
- What percentile is 150? About 38.06%.
These are the most searched conversions and usually drive application strategy discussions.
LSAC Percentiles vs Law School Medians
A school's 25th/50th/75th LSAT numbers are about its enrolled class, not the national LSAC test-score pool.
So you should read both together:
- LSAC percentile = national positioning
- school median bands = competitiveness for that school
This is why a score can be a strong national percentile but still below median at highly selective schools.
Why Older Percentile Charts Cause Bad Decisions
You will still find old LSAT percentile tables online (2020-2023, 2021-2024, and older).
Those can shift enough to distort your planning if you are comparing schools in 2026.
Always anchor on the most current LSAC page and only use older PDFs for historical trend context.
How to Use Percentiles in Your Study Plan
Percentiles are useful only when tied to a target school band and timeline.
- Define your realistic school list.
- Identify median/75th LSAT zones for those schools.
- Compare your current score percentile to that target.
- Decide whether a retake is worth the time and cost.
For timing and process, pair this with how long to study for LSAT and best way to study for the LSAT.
FAQ: LSAT Percentiles
Is a 170 a good LSAT score?
Yes. On the current LSAC table, 170 is around the 95th percentile.
Is a 160 competitive?
It can be, depending on school targets. On LSAC's current table, 160 is about 72.92%.
Do schools care more about percentile or scaled score?
Schools usually report and compare scaled scores, but percentile provides useful context for how rare your score is.
Does LSAT percentile change every year?
Percentiles are updated over testing windows, so values can shift over time.
Should I retake based on percentile alone?
No. Use percentile plus school medians, GPA context, and timeline constraints.