If you’re heading to law school, you may have to make an important decision in the admissions process: LSAT vs GRE. The LSAT (Law School Admission Test) has been the long reigning standardized exam of choice required by law schools, although, more recently, many law schools began accepting the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) as an alternative. Learning about the differences between these tests and how they may affect law school admissions decisions can help applicants decide which test they may be better suited for based on individual strengths and goals.
Major differences between the LSAT and GRE
The LSAT vs GRE comparison lists the biggest differentiations between the two exams as the skill sets they test. Unlike the GRE, the LSAT is purposefully made for legal studies, as it centers on logic and reading comprehension through logical reasoning and analytical reasoning (which groups under logic games). It assesses how well a student can analyze arguments, identify patterns, and think critically — skills essential to success in law school and legal practice.
Unlike the GRE, which is a broad-based test of verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. It does have math-based questions — those don’t show up on the LSAT — making it a better match for students with strong quantitative abilities. Moreover, while the GRE lets test-takers skip and return to questions, the LSAT must be taken in a strict order.
Which test is more difficult?
These exams are challenging based on an individual’s strengths. The LSAT might be a better fit for those who thrive on standardized logic and puzzle-based exams (its analytical reasoning section can prove famously difficult, however). The GRE, by contrast, can be grueling for those taking it if they don’t do well with math since the test’s quantitative section covers algebra, geometry, and data interpretation.
A second element to look at is the method of testing. The structure of the LSAT is inflexible and tightly prescribed, while the GRE utilizes adaptive testing, allowing the difficulty of questions to change based on how well you’ve answered previous questions. This type of adaptive nature can be advantageous for students who are familiar with standardized test-taking strategies.
Which test do law schools prefer?
Although the LSAT is the main test needed for admission into a law school, many programs now offer acceptance based on scores of the GRE to ensure that law school is more accessible to students from different academic backgrounds. Other applicants take the GRE because they are applying to other graduate programs on top of law school, and still others because they find the LSAT’s structure to be more difficult.
In the end, the LSAT vs GRE decision hinges on the applicant’s strengths, test-taking aptitude, and the schools that the applicant plans to apply to. Examining admissions requirements and taking practice tests for each can help students make a decision that maximizes their probability of acceptance into their program of choice.
Henry classen is the author of this article. To know about steps to apply for LSAC Agreement: Key Guidelines please visit our website: lsac.org
