Decoding President Obama's LSAT Score: Unveiling the Facts and Myths

Throughout Barack Obama's journey to becoming the 44th President of the United States, many aspects of his life and education have been scrutinized. One such detail that has sparked curiosity is his score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Reports suggest that Obama scored a 173 on the LSAT, a score that places him in the upper echelons of test-takers.

The High-Stakes LSAT

The LSAT is a standardized test used for admission to law schools in the United States. It is designed to measure reasoning skills that are critical for success in law school and is a crucial factor in the admissions process. A score of 173 is considered exceptionally high, placing Obama in the top percentile of test-takers. Given this high score, it is not surprising that it contributed to his acceptance at Harvard Law School, where he later became the first African American president of the Harvard Law Review.

Harvard Law School and Historical Context

Obama's acceptance and success at Harvard Law School are monumental milestones not just in his life, but in American history. Harvard Law School is one of the most prestigious law schools in the world, and the fact that Obama was accepted there, let alone went on to become president, has a profound impact on discussions about diversity and inclusion.

The LSAT score is just one part of the equation in law school admissions, but it is often scrutinized meticulously. According to The LSAC Data Book, in 1990, only a small number of African American students applied to law school from Columbia University. Among those, only two scored over 63, which would translate to a score of 166-171 in today's grading system. This information suggests that Obama's score of 173 is indeed quite high and exceptional.

Speculation and Controversy

Despite the available data, there continues to be speculation and controversy surrounding Obama's LSAT score. Some sources dispute the accuracy of this information, citing a lack of transparency in test scoring and the sealing of records for privacy reasons. For instance, some argue that 'nobody knows' the exact score, and suggest that such details are 'sealed-away from Americans.'

Others, like Lockwood, have delved into the demographic data published by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) from 1990. Based on this data, it is posited that Obama's score of 173 is quite likely, but it should be noted that at the time of his test, scores were on a different scale, where a score of 43 on a 48-point scale would be equivalent. Hence, while the general consensus may be that his score was high, exact figures are open to interpretation.

Objections and Expert Opinions

There are various objections to the discussion of Obama's LSAT score, with some suggesting that once accepted into law school, no one cares about the score. This view is supported by the opinion that 'Once you have been admitted, no one will ever again care what your score was,' highlighting the fact that the focus of the admissions process is not solely on test scores.

However, this has not stopped people from questioning and debating the details. As someone who scored in the 99th percentile on the LSAT around the same period, it is argued that Obama possesses a superior legal mind, further fueling the debate.

In conclusion, while Obama's LSAT score of 173 is considered high and indicative of his academic prowess, the exact details remain subject to speculation and debate. The score is a testament to his exceptional abilities and contributions to law and society.

Key Points:

Barack Obama reportedly scored 173 on the LSAT, a high score in law school admissions. The score contributed to his admission at Harvard Law School and his role as the first African American president of the Harvard Law Review. Historical data suggests that his score of 173 is quite exceptional, but exact figures are debatable.