The LSAT Arms Race Explained: Why 170+ Is the New Average

This episode of LSAT Unplugged + Law School Admissions Podcast breaks down the dramatic rise in LSAT scores over the past decade, revealing five interconnected forces driving what the host calls the 'LSAT arms race.' Once a median of 170 was rare, now 28 law schools have that benchmark—up from just five a decade ago. The primary driver is the shift in LSAT retake policies: with up to seven lifetime attempts and the ability to cancel scores, applicants now submit only their best results, creating a curated 'highlight reel' of scores. Simultaneously, the test itself became shorter and easier, with the removal of the challenging Logic Games section and a reduction in scored questions. Accommodations for test takers with disabilities—particularly ADHD—have surged, with 30x more requests since 2012 and a near-100% approval rate, leading to average score gains of 4–7.5 points without schools being able to detect them. A major cheating scandal in China, involving proxy test takers and leaked questions, likely inflated top-tier scores, and the subsequent global shift back to in-person testing may reveal how much of the score inflation was artificial. Finally, a record 50% increase in applicants—driven by economic uncertainty and strong employment outcomes—has flooded the pool with high-scoring candidates, allowing schools to raise medians while expanding class sizes. The result? A new normal where a 170 is no longer a standout score, scholarship thresholds are shifting, and applicants must be more strategic than ever. The episode concludes with actionable advice: stop chasing arbitrary score targets, reevaluate your school list using current ABA 509 data, retake only with a clear plan, negotiate offers aggressively, and seek expert guidance to navigate the new landscape. The LSAT arms race rewards strategic thinking over brute effort, and those who adapt will thrive even as the competition intensifies.