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Law Schools That Don’t Require the LSAT

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Law Schools That Don’t Require the LSAT

If you’re hoping to be admitted to law school soon, you probably have a lot on your mind. Admissions can be highly competitive, so you want your application to stand out, and in most cases, that means having a stellar LSAT score. But is taking the LSAT your only option? And are there any desirable schools that don’t require prospective students to take the LSAT? In this guide, we’ll answer these questions and more.

What Is the LSAT?

For the uninitiated, the LSAT is the Law School Admission Test. Just like the SAT that most students take to enter college for their bachelor’s degree, the LSAT is a standardized test for entering postgraduate studies in the field of law.

The test consists of around 100 questions, with multiple choice questions and essay-writing portions, and it’s scored on a scale ranging from 120-180. Unfortunately, this rigorous test only sees about .1% of students achieve a perfect score each year. The test is divided into four sections covering reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, logical reasoning, and writing.

How Do I Take the LSAT?

The LSAT is given periodically throughout the year at set testing locations. You can find your nearest location and register for the exam on the official website. The test fees include a $215 registration fee, and for an additional fee of $45-$75, students can opt to receive a preview of their score to decide whether they would like it reported to the law schools where they’re applying. This is an optional fee, but it may be worth it if you aren’t confident about standardized tests.

Students with financial needs can apply to have their fees waived. Requests for disability accommodations may also be made ahead of time.

Obviously, the LSAT takes some serious preparation. Since it’s only offered a few times a year in specific locations, you’ll want to ensure you’re prepared for the exam before committing your time and money. So signing up for an LSAT prep course a few months before your target test date is usually a smart idea.

Do I Have to Take the LSAT?

The LSAT is not the only way to judge someone’s academic ability, of course. Some schools have been using other criteria to evaluate would-be lawyers. If your LSAT score is uninspiring, or test dates and locations are not accessible, you might not have to give up your dream of attending law school. Here are some other ways law schools may evaluate their candidates in lieu of the LSAT.

The GRE

While the GRE (graduate record examination) is also a rigorous standardized test, it has some benefits to recommend it over the LSAT. The GRE is a test for admission to graduate programs; students can take the general test or additional subject tests. The subject tests are designed for students with undergraduate experience in chemistry, mathematics, physics, or psychology. The general test is the best option for most students applying to law school.

Similarly to the LSAT, the GRE is a long test requiring mental and physical endurance, but unlike the LSAT, there is the option to take it in person at a test site or from home. Again, this makes it a lot more convenient if you don’t live near a city where tests are held.

You also don’t need to register as far in advance for the GRE, and there is more flexibility when it comes to choosing the date of your test.

LSAT vs. GRE

Both the LSAT and the GRE are challenging tests meant to show off your academic skills, but you may be unsure which is best for you. You should consider a few factors when choosing between the LSAT and the GRE. First, decide what your target school is. Though, if the school you have your heart set on requires the LSAT, you should probably take it.

There are plenty of practice tests for both the LSAT and the GRE online so that you can get a feel for both options. From there, you can choose the one that you feel you’ll do best on. The GRE, being a general academic test, includes sections on math, while the LSAT contains more analytical questions.

You also may want to choose whatever test is most accessible to you based on test dates and locations.

Unfortunately, most schools still require one of these standardized tests during the admission process. There are a few rare exceptions that use other means of evaluating law school applications, but for most people, choosing to take one of these tests is the most advantageous option.

Schools That Don’t Require the LSAT

If you’ve already decided that the LSAT simply isn’t for you, for whatever reason, you still have plenty of great law schools you can apply for. Each university’s admissions page will have more details on what is required for the application, but each of the universities listed below will accept the GRE or another means of evaluation for prospective students. For example, the Massachusetts School of Law administers its own test to all applicants. But, for the most part, the schools on this list are GRE-friendly.

The American Bar Association also recently voted to remove the LSAT as a law school admission requirement. If this passes, many more schools will be test-optional by 2025. Even so, thanks to a few prestigious schools jumping on the bandwagon, more schools are considering switching to LSAT-optional.

Free Yourself from LSAT Stress

As you can see, the attitude toward the LSAT is changing. It used to be essential for students pursuing law degrees, but now, the GRE is becoming a viable alternative. While it’s still a  challenging test, it can be a lot more accessible for many people. And with the Bar Association’s recent vote against the LSAT, even more schools may be changing their application guidelines. For now, though, there are many respected law schools that no longer require the LSAT.

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