Your Score

You will receive one overall score for the LSAT, ranging from 120 to 180. There are no separate scores for the individual multiple choice sections. In addition, Law Services also reports a "score band"—a range of scaled scores above and below your score, indicating a "true score" at a reasonable level of confidence. Finally, you will also receive a percentile score, ranking your performance relative to the scores of a large sample population of other LSAT takers.

Score Bands

The LSAT, like all tests, has some measurement error associated with it. Law Services now reports score bands to caution users of test scores (i.e. admissions officers) against treating small score differences as reflecting true differences in test taker skills or abilities.

A score band is a range of scaled scores above and below the score reported for a particular test in which a test taker's true score is represented at a reasonable level of confidence. The size of the band for most LSAT scores will be about 7 scaled-score points (plus and minus three from the actual score), at a 68% level of confidence. That means that a test taker's true score will fall within the reported score band approximately two out of three times. For instance, we are 68% certain that the true score of someone who gets a 150 is between a 147 and a 153.

Please note, however, that the average of multiple scores will produce smaller score bands. Consequently, each additional test an individual takes yields more information, thereby diminishing the measurement error associated with the average score.

Percentile Rank

Law schools use percentile rank to determine where your score places you in comparison to your competition. More than 50% of test takers receive scores between 145 and 159, representing less than 1/4 of the possible scaled scores. Scoring 160 or above, therefore, would put you in an elite group. The difference between the 50th and 75th percentiles is about three extra questions right per section. Essentially, that's the difference between being barely competitive at any law school and being squarely in the running for dozens of excellent programs. The difference between the 90th and 95th percentiles is less than two additional correct answers per section—the difference between being marginally competitive at a Top 20 law school and being a front runner.

Receiving Your Score

If you registered through the LSAC website, you'll receive your score through e-mail approximately three weeks after the test. Your score will only be released to you and the law schools to which you applied. The LSAC no longer issues printed scores via the postal system as their primary method of reporting. If you would like to receive a paper notification of your test results, you must contact the LSAC and pay a fee of $25. If you registered through the post, you'll receive a paper notice at no additional charge.

Using TelScore

LSAT TelScore will give you your score and percentile rank for the most recently administered test, but not for any previous tests. Percentile ranks of nonstandard-time scores are not available and will not be reported. To use TelScore, simply call 215-968-1200. You will need your Social Security number or Law Services ID number, a personal identification number (PIN), and your credit card. With Telscore, you will be charged $10.

Cancelling Your Score

You will have five working days after the test in which to cancel your score. Take this time to reflect critically on your performance after the stress of test day has passed. Don't cancel your score based on your perception of the difficulty level of the exam. Every exam is normed and the scoring is adjusted to reflect slight differences between exams. In fact, there are usually only two valid reasons to cancel your score: Test day factors affected your test day experience or you were inadequately prepared.

Nervousness is usually not a valid reason. In fact, most students are just as nervous—if not more—on their second attempt. Some nervousness is normal and even healthy.

If you take the exam more than once, Law Services reports the average score, each separate score, and each cancellation. Most schools will not question one (or maybe two) cancellation(s) on your record, but will question multiple ones. Also, be aware that you cannot take the LSAT more than three times in any two-year period.

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	Your Score You will receive one overall score for the LSAT, ranging from 120 to 180. There are no separate scores for the individual multiple choice sections. In addition, Law Services also reports a "score band"—a range of scaled scores above and below your score, indicating a "true score" at a reasonable level of confidence. Finally, you will also receive a percentile score, ranking your performance relative to the scores of a large sample population of other LSAT takers. Score Bands The LSAT, like all tests, has some measurement error associated with it. Law Services now reports score bands to caution users of test scores (i.e. admissions officers) against treating small score differences as reflecting true differences in test taker skills or abilities. A score band is a range of scaled scores above and below the score reported for a particular test in which a test taker's true score is represented at a reasonable level of confidence. The size of the band for most LSAT scores will be about 7 scaled-score points (plus and minus three from the actual score), at a 68% level of confidence. That means that a test taker's true score will fall within the reported score band approximately two out of three times. For instance, we are 68% certain that the true score of someone who gets a 150 is between a 147 and a 153. Please note, however, that the average of multiple scores will produce smaller score bands. Consequently, each additional test an individual takes yields more information, thereby diminishing the measurement error associated with the average score. Percentile Rank Law schools use percentile rank to determine where your score places you in comparison to your competition. More than 50% of test takers receive scores between 145 and 159, representing less than 1/4 of the possible scaled scores. Scoring 160 or above, therefore, would put you in an elite group. The difference between the 50th and 75th percentiles is about three extra questions right per section. Essentially, that's the difference between being barely competitive at any law school and being squarely in the running for dozens of excellent programs. The difference between the 90th and 95th percentiles is less than two additional correct answers per section—the difference between being marginally competitive at a Top 20 law school and being a front runner. Receiving Your Score If you registered through the LSAC website, you'll receive your score through e-mail approximately three weeks after the test. Your score will only be released to you and the law schools to which you applied. The LSAC no longer issues printed scores via the postal system as their primary method of reporting. If you would like to receive a paper notification of your test results, you must contact the LSAC and pay a fee of $25. If you registered through the post, you'll receive a paper notice at no additional charge. Using TelScore LSAT TelScore will give you your score and percentile rank for the most recently administered test, but not for any previous tests. Percentile ranks of nonstandard-time scores are not available and will not be reported. To use TelScore, simply call 215-968-1200. You will need your Social Security number or Law Services ID number, a personal identification number (PIN), and your credit card. With Telscore, you will be charged $10. Cancelling Your Score You will have five working days after the test in which to cancel your score. Take this time to reflect critically on your performance after the stress of test day has passed. Don't cancel your score based on your perception of the difficulty level of the exam. Every exam is normed and the scoring is adjusted to reflect slight differences between exams. In fact, there are usually only two valid reasons to cancel your score: Test day factors affected your test day experience or you were inadequately prepared. Nervousness is usually not a valid reason. In fact, most students are just as nervous—if not more—on their second attempt. Some nervousness is normal and even healthy. If you take the exam more than once, Law Services reports the average score, each separate score, and each cancellation. Most schools will not question one (or maybe two) cancellation(s) on your record, but will question multiple ones. Also, be aware that you cannot take the LSAT more than three times in any two-year period.	LAW SCHOOL INSIDER LSAT INSIDER Law School Search—Find the law school that's right for you. ABA Score Averaging Decision Learn about the ABA's decision to now require law schools to report LSAT data for their entering classes based on the highest LSAT score. LSAT Instant Analysis Find out what students thought of recent LSAT exams by listening to our podcast. Our analysis is now available for the February 2008 LSAT. Law School Edge—Receive profiles on top law school programs, sample LSAT questions, the latest test information, and more. Join the Kaplan Community and get more features. It's FREE!