LSAT Raw-to-Scaled Calculator

Inside the LSAT Raw-to-Scaled Conversion

The Law School Admission Test produces a single scaled score between 120 and 180 derived from the number of questions answered correctly across scored sections. Each test administration features four scored sections—two Logical Reasoning, one Analytical Reasoning (Logic Games), and one Reading Comprehension—plus an unscored variable section used for pretesting future content. Because forms vary in difficulty, the Law School Admission Council equates raw scores to scaled results so that a given scaled score represents the same level of ability across administrations. This calculator approximates that equating process using conversion tables released for past disclosed exams. Enter your total number of correct answers across the four scored sections, and the tool maps that raw count to a scaled score. It simultaneously estimates a percentile based on LSAC’s three-year rolling statistics, giving you a sense of how competitive your performance is relative to other applicants.

While the exact conversion shifts slightly from test to test, historical data reveals predictable patterns. Missing around 10 questions typically results in a score near 170, while missing 20 questions often falls around 165. The calculator interpolates between adjacent disclosed scales to deliver a realistic projection for modern administrations. It also produces an estimated percentile so you can benchmark progress toward goals such as the 90th percentile for T14 admissions or the 75th percentile for strong scholarship consideration.

For a quick reference, review the table below. It outlines representative raw totals, their scaled equivalents, and percentile implications. Use these benchmarks to set interim study milestones.

Total Correct	Approx. Scaled Score	Estimated Percentile
65	163	80th
70	167	89th
75	171	95th
78	174	98th

Because individual sections contribute differently to your raw total depending on strengths and weaknesses, the calculator encourages you to track section-level accuracy as well. If you routinely ace Analytical Reasoning but lose points in Reading Comprehension, targeted practice can have an outsized impact on your scaled outcome. The table shows that gaining three additional correct answers across any sections can move you from the mid-160s to the low 170s, a leap that dramatically changes scholarship prospects and admissions odds at top schools.

Example Journey from Diagnostic to Target Score

Consider a student whose diagnostic test yields 61 correct answers. The calculator converts that to a scaled 160 (roughly the 72nd percentile). After eight weeks of structured study with daily logic game drills, she retests and earns 68 correct answers. The calculator now projects a 168 (about the 92nd percentile), revealing that her improved games performance lifted the scaled score significantly. She continues refining Reading Comprehension inference questions and reaches 74 correct answers on a later practice exam, which the calculator maps to a 170–171 (95th percentile). The copyable summary card encourages her to maintain logical reasoning accuracy and integrate endurance strategies before the official test. Documenting each milestone in the calculator builds a narrative of growth that can be motivating during the final push.

Our conversion model assumes a test with 75 scored questions, which aligns with the contemporary LSAT Flex format comprising three scored sections. When LSAC reverted to four scored sections in August 2024, the question count increased to 100, but the underlying equating principles remained. The calculator adjusts automatically based on the total number of questions you specify in the optional field. If you are practicing with older four-section tests, enter your total questions (usually 101) so the tool proportionally scales raw accuracy before applying the conversion. Percentile estimates draw from LSAC’s 2023–2024 percentile table and therefore represent the most current applicant distribution.

Study Strategies Driven by Data

Use the calculator as part of a weekly score audit. After every practice test, log your raw totals for each section and enter the aggregate into the tool. Compare the resulting scaled score with your goal and analyze the gaps. For Logical Reasoning, categorize errors into conditional logic, causal reasoning, parallel flaw, or argument evaluation. Then design drill sets that focus on the two categories responsible for the majority of misses. For Analytical Reasoning, track which game types—sequencing, grouping, hybrid—consume the most time or produce errors. Construct custom practice sets that repeat those structures until you can diagram quickly and confidently. In Reading Comprehension, note whether science passages, legal topics, or humanities selections cause slowdowns, and adjust reading strategies accordingly.

Timing is a critical factor in maximizing raw accuracy. The modern LSAT grants 35 minutes per section. Implement pacing checkpoints: aim to complete Logical Reasoning questions 1–15 within 16 minutes, leaving ample time for tougher items. For Analytical Reasoning, plan to finish the first game in eight minutes, the second in nine, and allocate the remaining time strategically among the final games. Reading Comprehension benefits from a skimming approach that prioritizes structure—identify each paragraph’s function and main claim before diving into questions. The calculator’s sensitivity to raw accuracy means shaving 30 seconds off average question time can create room to revisit flagged items and convert near-misses into points.

Incorporate blind review into your routine. After each timed section, revisit every question without time pressure and answer based on logic rather than instinct. Note discrepancies between timed and blind answers. If blind review accuracy is significantly higher, your issue may be pacing rather than understanding. The calculator will confirm this: raw totals during blind review often align with higher scaled scores. Your goal is to close the gap between timed and blind performance through deliberate pacing practice, mindfulness techniques, and familiarity with question stems.

Retake Planning and Application Strategy

LSAC allows test takers to sit for the LSAT three times in a single testing year (July–June), five times in the current and five past testing years, and seven times over a lifetime. If the calculator shows that you are short of your target percentile, plan a retake that leverages those allowances. Begin by evaluating law schools’ score-reporting policies—many consider the highest score, while some review an average. Use the calculator’s copy summary to document how each practice exam compares to your target range. During the retake interval, focus on consistency drills: complete individual sections daily, alternate between timed and untimed work, and track raw accuracy using the calculator to ensure gains are sustainable.

As you approach application season, integrate calculator output into broader admissions planning. Create a spreadsheet with columns for each law school, their median LSAT, corresponding percentile, and your latest calculator projection. This exercise clarifies reach, match, and safety categories. Pair those insights with GPA medians to craft a balanced application list. If your percentile is already above a school’s 75th percentile, consider negotiating scholarships once admitted by citing your competitiveness relative to their published data.

Math Perspective on Score Sensitivity

The LSAT conversion process can be conceptualized using a piecewise linear function that maps raw scores to scaled values with slope changes at key breakpoints. A simplified MathML representation of such a function appears below:

Here, r represents the raw correct count. The real LSAC algorithm is more complex, but the piecewise example shows how slopes steepen near competitive score ranges. Adding just three raw points in the middle interval yields a 3.6-point scaled increase, underscoring why sustained accuracy gains can unlock large percentile jumps. The calculator emulates this behavior by referencing historical conversion tables with similar slope changes.

Connecting with Other Exam Tools

Many aspiring lawyers explore alternative or complementary graduate programs. Use the GRE Score Converter to evaluate joint JD/MA options, consult the GMAT Percentile Calculator if you are eyeing a JD/MBA, and review the MCAT Section Score Calculator if you are contemplating law and medicine intersections such as health policy. Cross-linking these tools supports long-term career exploration while you pursue your top LSAT outcome.