Introduction
In recent years, many law schools have started considering GRE law school scores instead of LSAT scores for admissions. The University of Arizona Law School was inaugurated to implement this modification in 2016. Before completely enacting the policy in 2018, Harvard Law School conducted a pilot program accepting GRE scores for law school in 2017.
When the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar decided in late 2021 that law schools might accept either GRE or LSAT scores, the change picked up speed. Since then, many law schools have chosen to accept GRE law school scores to draw from a wider pool of applicants with different majors for law school.
Although most law schools still advise students to take the LSAT, they can now choose to submit their GRE results instead of the LSAT, particularly if they believe their GRE performance will be higher or are going to dual degree programs. Both metrics of good test results can now be considered when applying to law schools. In this article, we will discuss the distinctions between the GRE and LSAT, and explore law schools that accept the GRE.
Comparison Between GRE for Law School and the LSAT
Most students pursuing graduate degrees benefit from taking the GRE. The LSAT is designed with law school applicants in mind. Both exams have written assignments in addition to multiple-choice questions, and they both call for a great deal of study time. Then how are they different?
The Educational Testing Service (ETS) offers the computer-based GRE all year round. Every rolling 12-month period, the ETS permits five retakes, with a 21-day gap between exams.
On the other hand, what is the LSAT? The Law School Admissions Council is in charge of administering the LSAT. Regardless of degree level, anyone may take the computer-based exam; and results are valid for five years from the submission date. Test takers are now allowed to take the LSAT up to five times within the current reportable score period, which is the time since June 2018, and a total of seven times over their lifetime.
Exam Structure
The GRE
What is the GRE for law school? The multiple-choice GRE tests analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning. The quantitative and verbal reasoning sections have two parts and use section-level adaptability to change question difficulty based on prior answers. Scoring determines GRE section-level adaptation difficulty.
The GRE test law school includes the following topics:
- Analytical writing is a test of one’s capacity to convey complicated ideas in written English.
- Quantitative reasoning tests math and reasoning skills. You need fundamental geometry and algebra to tackle quantitative reasoning questions.
- Verbal reasoning involves reading comprehension, such as reasoning with little information and distinguishing between unrelated and main themes.
The LSAT
Two sections make up the LSAT. The first has computer-based multiple-choice parts. The second section is a writing test. The LSAT Writing test is proctored online using computer software.Â
How many questions are on the LSAT? The reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, logical reasoning, and variable unscored question sections comprise the four multiple-choice LSAT sections, which total between 100 and 103 multiple-choice questions.
- Reading comprehension questions test your understanding of lengthy materials.
- Analytical reasoning problems need you to infer outcomes from data and rules.
- Logical reasoning questions test your abilities to analyze and reason throughout an argument. Logic games distinguish the LSAT from the GRE.Â
- The LSAT Writing test requires a persuasive writing sample, which is not scored but is required. Many law programs include the sample and law school personal statements in their admissions processes.
Scoring
The GRE
This standardized exam accommodates a wider spectrum of graduate programmes. The GRE includes a scoring range of 130 to 170 for both the Verbal and Quantitative parts, and a separate Analytical Writing score ranging from 0 to 6. The GRE assesses a broader spectrum of abilities, encompassing vocabulary and mathematical proficiency, which are not addressed in the LSAT. When applying for graduate admissions, you have the option to submit your highest GRE scores to colleges and universities. After finishing the GRE, individuals can obtain their scores and send them to potential colleges along with their graduate application papers.
The LSAT
The LSAT score range, spanning from 120 to 180, is purposefully crafted to assess essential skills necessary for achievement in law school, including logical reasoning and reading comprehension. LSAT results are instantly communicated to the colleges of your choice for admission purposes.
Time Limit
The GRE
Three hours and forty-five minutes is the duration of the GRE for law school, with a ten-minute interval following the third section. It takes between 30 and 35 minutes to complete each section.
The LSAT
Completing the LSAT requires an estimated duration of three hours, accounting for a 10-minute interval between the second and third multiple-choice segments. In addition to the LSAT Writing portion, each multiple-choice section is allocated 35 minutes for examination.
Cost
The GRE
The GRE costs $220 from the ETS in all nations other than China and India. The exam costs $231.30 for China and $228 for India. For China, it costs $53.90 and the rescheduling fee is $50. The ETS offers financial assistance through its fee reduction programme. The GRE general test will cost $100 for eligible candidates.
The LSAT
The LSAT cost is $222 to take, including the LSAT writing. All transcripts, recommendation letters, and other necessary paperwork are sent to law schools by the Credential Assembly Service (CAS); this service is fee-based, with each CAS report costing an additional $45.
Law Schools That Accept the GRE Law School Scores
The law schools that don’t require LSAT are listed below. To find out what steps you need to take to submit your law school GRE scores than your LSAT, contact the law school you are considering.
T-14 Law Schools that Accept the GRE Scores
- Stanford Law School
- Yale Law School
- Columbia Law School
- Harvard Law School
- University of Chicago Law School
- University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
- New York University School of Law
- University of Virginia School of Law
- University of California, Berkeley, School of Law
- Duke University School of Law
- Cornell Law School
- Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
- Georgetown University Law Center
Law Schools that Accept the GRE Scores: Top 50 in Alphabetical Order
- Albany Law School
- American University Washington College of Law
- Belmont University College of Law
- Boston College Law School
- Boston University School of Law
- Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School
- Brooklyn Law School
- California Western School of Law
- Case Western Reserve University School of Law
- Charleston School of Law
- Chicago-Kent College of Law
- Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
- DePaul University College of Law
- Drake University Law School
- Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
- Duquesne University School of Law
- Faulkner Law School
- Florida International University College of Law
- Florida State University College of Law
- Fordham University School of Law
- George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School
- George Washington University Law School
- Golden Gate University School of Law
- Hofstra University – Maurice A. Deane School of Law
- Indiana University Maurer School of Law
Top 25-50
- Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
- Kern County College of Law
- Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law
- LMU Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
- Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
- Massachusetts School of Law at Andover
- Mercer University School of Law
- Monterey College of Law
- New England Law | Boston
- Northern Illinois University College of Law
- Pace University Elisabeth Haub School of Law
- Pennsylvania State University Dickinson Law
- Pennsylvania State University — Penn State Law
- Pepperdine University Rick J. Caruso School of Law
- San Joaquin College of Law
- San Luis Obispo College of Law
- Santa Clara University School of Law
- Seattle University School of Law
- Seton Hall University School of Law
- South Texas College of Law Houston
- Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law
- Southwestern Law School
- St. John’s University School of Law
- Suffolk University Law School
- Syracuse University College of Law
Other Law Schools Accepting the GRE Scores: Nos. 51-90 in Alphabetical Order
- Temple University Beasley School of Law
- Texas A&M University School of Law
- Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center
- University of Akron School of Law
- University of Alabama School of Law
- University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
- University of Baltimore Law School
- University at Buffalo School of Law
- University of California, Davis, School of Law
- University of California, Irvine School of Law
- University of California, Los Angeles School of Law
- University of California Law, San Francisco
- University of Dayton School of Law
- University of Florida Levin College of Law
- University of Georgia School of Law
- University of Hawai’i at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law
- University of Houston Law Center
- University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
- University of Kansas School of Law
- University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
Top 71-90
- University of Massachusetts School of Law – Dartmouth
- University of Miami School of Law
- University of Montana Alexander Blewett III School of Law
- University of New Hampshire School of Law
- University of Notre Dame Law School
- University of Oklahoma College of Law
- University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
- University of Richmond School of Law
- University of San Diego School of Law
- University of Southern California, Gould School of Law
- University of South Carolina School of Law
- University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law
- University of Texas at Austin School of Law
- University of Toledo College of Law
- Wake Forest University School of Law
- Washburn University School of Law
- Washington and Lee University School of Law
- Washington University School of Law
- West Virginia University College of Law
- Western State College of Law
Score High on the LSAT with Our Proven Prep Methods
Aside from your law school GPA, your LSAT score is an important component of getting into law school. The LSAT, which focuses on logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and reading comprehension, aims to assess skills directly relevant to legal studies. This specialized focus and its long history in the admissions process continue to make the LSAT the preferred choice for many law schools today.
While aspiring law students are typically encouraged to take the LSAT, it’s noteworthy that some institutions also accept the GRE scores for law school. However, grades from the first year of law school have shown a stronger correlation with LSAT scores, further emphasizing its relevance and importance in assessing law school readiness. With a customized approach, Odyssey Test Prep is made to help you get the best possible score on the LSAT.
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Final Thoughts: What GRE Score Do I Need for Law School?
Understanding standardized test criteria and preferences is vital while applying to law school. An aggregate GRE score of 328 is ideal for prominent law school applicants. This should include quantitative and verbal thinking scores of 155–170. An analytical writing score of 4.0 can also boost your application.
However, many law schools prefer the LSAT over the GRE law school. This is because the LSAT is designed to evaluate skills relevant to law school.
Examining law school prerequisites is crucial if you’re considering the GRE law school. School rules on GRE scores vary. Currently, many U.S. law schools are accepting GRE law school scores. This move gives candidates more freedom, but you should still check each law school’s policy.
How hard is the LSAT? The LSAT is considered to be an exceptionally challenging standardized exam that tests relevant law school skills. While definitely tough with an average score of around 150, the LSAT is a learnable test, and with diligent preparation, a high LSAT score can be achieved to compete with fellow applicants.