Hey there, future law student! If you’re gearing up to apply to law schools, you’ve likely come across the term LSAC GPA. It’s not just your regular college GPA—it’s a special version recalculated by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) through their Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Why does this matter? Well, law schools use it to compare applicants on a level playing field, regardless of where you went to school or how lenient their grading was.
What Is LSAC GPA and Why Is It Different?
Your LSAC GPA, often called the CAS GPA, is a standardized grade point average that includes almost all your undergraduate coursework. Unlike your school’s GPA, which might forgive low grades or exclude certain classes, LSAC takes a no-nonsense approach. They recalculate everything on a uniform 4.0 scale to ensure fairness.
This difference can be a game-changer. For instance, if you repeated a course and your college only counted the higher grade, LSAC will include both attempts in their calculation. That means your LSAC GPA could be lower—or sometimes higher—than what you’re used to seeing on your transcript.
Law schools rely heavily on this number alongside your LSAT score. A strong LSAC GPA can boost your application, so understanding how it’s figured out is key to setting realistic goals.
What Does LSAC Include in Your GPA?
LSAC casts a wide net when summarizing your academic record. They look at all your undergraduate transcripts, from every institution you’ve attended, even if you transferred or took summer classes elsewhere.
Here’s what typically gets included:
- All courses with grades that can be converted to the 4.0 scale.
- Repeated courses, with both grades counting if they’re on your transcript.
- Failing grades, like F or No Credit/Fail, which count as zeros.
- AP or CLEP credits if your school assigned grades and credits to them.
- Physical education, art, music, and ROTC classes if they earned credits.
On the flip side, some things are left out:
- Courses taken after your first bachelor’s degree, like grad school or post-bac classes.
- Withdrawals or incompletes that your school deems non-punitive.
- Remedial courses clearly marked as such.
- Pass/Fail courses where “Pass” doesn’t convert to a numerical grade.
LSAC also converts all credits to semester hours. If you were on quarters, they’ll multiply by 0.67 to standardize. This ensures every applicant’s record is apples-to-apples.
The LSAC Grading Scale: How Grades Convert
LSAC uses a detailed conversion table to turn your school’s grades into their 4.0 system. This handles everything from letter grades to numerical scales. They even account for pluses and minuses, which can give you a slight edge for those A- efforts.
Here’s a simple table showing common letter grade conversions:
| Grade | LSAC Value |
|---|---|
| A+ | 4.33 |
| A | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.67 |
| B+ | 3.33 |
| B | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.67 |
| C+ | 2.33 |
| C | 2.00 |
| C- | 1.67 |
| D+ | 1.33 |
| D | 1.00 |
| D- | 0.67 |
| E/F | 0.00 |
For numerical grades, like a 95 out of 100, LSAC maps them to this scale based on your school’s system. Failing grades always hit zero, and they include them unless specifically excluded as non-punitive.
If your school uses a unique system, like 1-5 or just pass/fail, check LSAC’s interpretive guide for exact conversions. It’s all about standardization.
Step-by-Step Guide to Calculating Your LSAC GPA
Ready to crunch the numbers? Calculating your LSAC GPA manually isn’t rocket science, but it does require attention to detail. Grab all your transcripts and a spreadsheet—Excel or Google Sheets works great.
Follow these steps:
- Gather Your Transcripts: Collect official or unofficial copies from every college or university you’ve attended. Make sure they show all courses, grades, and credits.
- Convert Credits to Semester Hours: If any are in quarters, multiply credits by 0.67. Trimesters count as semesters. For other units, use any conversion formula noted on the transcript.
- List All Eligible Courses: Include every undergraduate course before your first degree. Skip post-degree work, non-credit classes, and excluded items like punitive-free withdrawals.
- Convert Grades to LSAC Scale: Use the table above or LSAC’s guide to assign a numerical value to each grade. For repeats, include both.
- Calculate Quality Points: For each course, multiply the LSAC grade value by the semester credits. That’s your quality points. For example, an A (4.00) in a 3-credit class gives 12 quality points.
- Sum It Up: Add all quality points together, then add all eligible semester credits.
- Divide for GPA: Total quality points divided by total credits equals your LSAC GPA. Round to two decimal places, just like LSAC does.
Let’s say you have two courses: A- in 4 credits (3.67 x 4 = 14.68) and B+ in 3 credits (3.33 x 3 = 9.99). Total points: 24.67. Total credits: 7. GPA: 3.52.
LSAC-style GPA Calculator (approx.)
Enter each course’s credits (or units) and letter grade. LSAC uses a weighted average: GPA = sum(grade_points × credits) / sum(credits).
This tool uses a typical 4.0 conversion (A/A+ = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, …). It is an approximation — verify with LSAC for official calculations.
Doing this yourself gives a solid estimate, but LSAC’s official version is what counts. If your numbers seem off, double-check for missed conversions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Estimating LSAC GPA
It’s easy to slip up when calculating this on your own. One big pitfall is forgetting to include forgiven or repeated grades. Your school might have wiped them clean, but LSAC brings them back.
Another issue: Misconverting credits. Always standardize to semesters, or your totals will be skewed.
Don’t ignore failing grades—they drag down your average hard. And if you’re international, LSAC has specific rules for foreign transcripts, often requiring evaluation services.
Pro tip: Use online LSAC GPA calculators as a shortcut, but input data carefully. They’re not official, but they mimic the process well. Also, review your academic summary report from LSAC once processed—it’s your chance to spot errors.
Staying accurate here can help you target the right schools. If your LSAC GPA is lower than expected, focus on acing the LSAT or building a strong personal statement.
Tools and Resources for LSAC GPA Calculation
While manual calculation is great for understanding, LSAC provides tools to help. Once you sign up for CAS, they handle the heavy lifting after receiving your transcripts.
You can also explore LSAC’s website for their interpretive guide, which details how unique grading systems convert. It’s a goldmine for edge cases, like three-passing-grade systems.
If math isn’t your thing, community forums like Reddit’s r/lawschooladmissions often have user-shared spreadsheets tailored for LSAC GPA estimates. Just verify against official rules.
Remember, accuracy matters—law schools see the official report, so use these resources to prepare, not replace, the real thing.
FAQs About How to Calculate LSAC GPA
Q. What if my school uses a different grading scale?
A. LSAC converts it to their 4.0 system using standard tables. Check their interpretive guide for your school’s specifics.
Q. Does LSAC include study abroad grades?
A. Yes, if they’re on your home transcript with grades and credits. Otherwise, they might need separate transcripts, but they’re included if convertible.
Q. Can I appeal my LSAC GPA?
A. Rarely. LSAC follows strict rules, but if there’s a transcript error, contact them promptly. They don’t change calculations based on school policies.
Conclusion
Calculating your LSAC GPA might seem daunting at first, but breaking it down step by step makes it manageable. By understanding the inclusions, conversions, and common traps, you’ll get a clear picture of where you stand in the law school application game. Use this as a tool to strengthen your overall profile—whether that’s retaking courses or nailing other parts of your app.
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and is based on general LSAC policies as of the latest available information. Always refer to the official LSAC website for the most current details, as rules can change. Consult with LSAC directly for personalized advice on your academic record.