Deciphering the dilemma of LSAT vs GRE for prospective law school students

The LSAT vs GRE debate has never been more relevant for prospective law students. Now that more law schools are taking the test, test-takers face a strategic choice that could set the course for their journey to law school.

The LSAT is, at heart, a test uniquely designed for legal education. It focuses on analytical deduction, logical deduction, and reading comprehension—skills that just happen to be a great fit for law school coursework. The GRE, for its part, is a broadly applicable test that is accepted by many graduate programs. It contains verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing sections,  providing a more complete measure of academic readiness.

A major factor in deciding between the LSAT and vs GRE is the test format. The LSAT contains no math, so to some who are less confident with numbers, that may be appealing. "Unlike the GRE, the math component of the GRE is a plus for test takers with strong mathematical reasoning skills." Moreover, you can take the GRE multiple times per year and have some flexibility with your score reporting, which can potentially work out scheduling-wise.

Another is the choice of school. Although the LSAT remains the unanimously accepted test for law school admissions, more and more schools are beginning to allow prospective students to submit a GRE score in place of the LSAT. But not all do — so applicants must check each school’s policy before deciding to take one test.

When it all comes down to it, the LSAT GRE decision will depend on your strengths and career goals,  as well as the admissions criteria for your targeted programs. Practicing for both can help you determine which you’ll perform best on. Choosing the right law school, in a competitive admissions environment, can be the first step to a great legal career.

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