If you’re considering applying to law school or any other graduate program, you are probably thinking of which admission test to take.
While the LSAT is the traditional test to get admitted to law programs everywhere, since 2016 (when Arizona’s College announced they would allow students to submit GRE scores), more and more law schools started accepting the GRE.
Both standardized tests are demanding but have different characteristics that you should consider.
In this GRE Vs. LSAT comparison, we will take a closer look at the differences and similarities between both exams, as well as each test’s pros and cons.
That way, you can make the best decision for yourself and access the graduate program of your dreams.
Quick Summary
- GRE acceptance by law schools is increasing, offering applicants more options, though the LSAT remains widely accepted and holds a strong reputation.
- While the GRE adapts to test-takers performance and includes math, the LSAT focuses on legal reasoning and reading without a math component.
- The GRE provides flexibility with year-round availability, diverse skill assessment, and selective score reporting so you can report your best test score.
- The LSAT, tailored for law school admissions, offers a specific focus on legal reasoning, a strong predictive validity, and widespread acceptance by virtually all law schools.
- Choosing between the GRE and LSAT depends on personal strengths, career goals, and the acceptance policies of target law schools.
GRE Vs. LSAT Comparison
Let’s take a side-by-side look at how both the GRE and LSAT compare.
GRE | LSAT | |
Purpose | General graduate admissions, accepted by many schools, including business and law | Law school admissions |
Sections | • Analytical Writing (30 min.) • Verbal Reasoning (2 sections, 41 min.) • Quantitative Reasoning (2 sections, 47 min.) | • Logical Reasoning (35 min.) • Analytical Reasoning (35 min.) • Reading Comprehension (35 min.) • Unscored variable section (35 min.) |
Scoring range | • Verbal Reasoning: 130-170 • Quantitative Reasoning: 130-170 • Analytical Writing: 0-6 | 120-180 |
Test format | Computer-based (Adaptive), either remotely at home or in person at a test center. | Computer-based, either remotely at home or in person at a Prometric digital testing center. |
Test duration | ~ 1h 58 min | ~ 3h |
Content Focus | Math (Quantitative) and Verbal Reasoning; Analytical Writing assesses argument analysis | Emphasizes logical reasoning and reading comprehension related to law No math component |
Retaking the test | Can be taken once every 21 days Up to 5 times in a 12-month period | 5 times within the current reportable score period (7 times total in a lifetime) |
Availability | All year round | A few times a year. In 2024: Jan., Feb., Apr., and Jun. |
Score Reporting | ScoreSelect option: you decide which test scores to send to the institutions | All LSAT scores are reported. They are averaged and also listed separately |
Cost | $220 | $222 |
Administered by | Educational Testing Service (ETS) | Law School Admission Council (LSAC) |
Similarities Between GRE & LSAT
Both the GRE and LSAT are computer-based, standardized tests, that have some overlapping when it comes to their content.
Both exams test your analytical reasoning skills, assessing your ability to analyze and interpret information logically.
The GRE includes an Analytical Writing section, where you must analyze an issue and develop an argument.
The LSAT includes an analytical reasoning section that tests your ability to understand and deduce relationships between elements.
LSAT also has an unscored writing section where test-takers do a writing sample to evaluate their capability to argue logically in text.
Both tests also evaluate your reading comprehension skills.
Within the GRE’s Verbal Reasoning section, several Reading Comprehension questions are designed to test your capacity to understand and analyze bodies of text.
The LSAT, on the other hand, includes a Reading Comprehension section where you must answer questions based on passages related to law.
The GRE and the LSAT can be done online or in person at a test center.
Differences Between GRE & LSAT
There are a few significant differences between the GRE and the LSAT.
Firstly, the LSAT is accepted by all law schools, while the GRE is not.
GRE scores are accepted by around one-third of all law schools.
One of the main differences between the LSAT and the GRE lies in their focus and purpose.
The LSAT is specifically designed for law school admissions while the GRE is not, assessing skills related to critical thinking and analytical and logical reasoning, which are crucial for success in law school.
It also includes logic games (which will be removed from the LSAT starting with the August 2024 test), but the GRE does not.
In contrast, the GRE is a more generalized graduate admissions test used for a variety of graduate programs.
It evaluates a broader range of skills, and it includes quantitative sections, which the LSAT does not. Plus, it also includes more complex vocabulary words.
Another difference is that The GRE is a fully computer-adaptive test, but the LSAT isn’t.
This means that the difficulty level of the GRE questions adapts in real-time based on the test-takers’ performance.
The first section of each GRE test, whether it’s Verbal or Quantitative Reasoning, starts with a question of moderate difficulty.
As the test-taker answers questions correctly, subsequent questions may become more challenging, while incorrect answers may result in less difficult follow-up questions.
The LSAT does not offer a computer-adaptive test.
So, how LSAT test takers perform at the beginning of the test will not influence the difficulty level of subsequent sections.
There’s also an important difference when it comes to score submission.
You can choose the GRE score you want to report but with the LSAT, typically, all your scores are reported.
In the GRE, you get to pick and choose which scores you send to schools, allowing flexibility in showcasing your best performance.
The ScoreSelect Option enables you to report only your top scores, making it strategic for improving your chances.
On the flip side, the LSAT typically includes all your test scores in the score report unless you use the “Score Preview” option for your first LSAT.
This means that if you take the LSAT more than once, law schools will see an average of your multiple scores.
If you feel you did poorly on the LSAT, you can cancel your scores, but this information is disclosed on your score report.
One unique aspect of the LSAT is that the only score you can choose not to reveal is your first LSAT score, and this is only if you use the “Score Preview” option.
This exception gives you some control over which scores law schools see from your initial attempt.
In terms of duration, there’s also a difference because the GRE now has a shorter version.
The duration of both exams used to be pretty similar, but now the GRE only takes around 2 hours while the LSAT takes around 3 hours.
Finally, you can take the GRE almost any day of the year, while the LSAT is only offered a few times a year.
GRE Vs. LSAT: Which Test Should You Take For Law School?
Law school applicants now face the decision of choosing between the GRE and LSAT.
Many law schools are now accepting GRE scores (including top schools like Harvard Law School), giving applicants the chance to choose between the two.
There is not one definitive answer to this question, as it will depend on your particular circumstances.
It is always advisable that you take a practice test for each so that you can better gauge the scope and complexity of each standardized test.
To help you decide, here are a few pros and cons of both the LSAT and GRE.
Pros and Cons of Taking the GRE
Pros:
- The GRE offers you more career path options since it’s a generalized test that most schools accept. If you have doubts about going to a Law university and want to keep your options open, you should consider the GRE.
- The GRE assesses more general skills with its verbal and quantitative sections, and as such, it doesn’t require specific legal knowledge, making it accessible to a broader range of applicants.
- Unlike the LSAT, the GRE is offered all year round, allowing test-takers to choose from various testing dates for added convenience.
- GRE test-takers have the flexibility to report their scores to the schools of their choice selectively. They can choose to send scores from all the tests taken or only the higher scores.
Cons:
- The GRE is not widely accepted by all law schools, potentially limiting your application options. You can check here the list of graduate schools that accept the GRE.
- Unlike the LSAT, the GRE has quantitative reasoning sections, so if you struggle with Math, this test may be more difficult for you.
- Typically, vocabulary questions in the GRE are a bit more complex.
- Some traditional law schools may prefer the LSAT, and there might be lingering skepticism about the GRE by certain admissions officers.
Pros and cons of taking the LSAT
Pros:
- Virtually all law schools accept the LSAT.
- The LSAT is specifically designed to assess skills crucial for law school, and it has an established reputation.
- The LSAT has no math questions, unlike the GRE.
- The LSAT has demonstrated predictive validity, meaning it has a strong correlation with law school success.
Cons
- The LSAT requires familiarity with legal concepts, which can be more challenging for some test-takers.
- Unlike the GRE, there are fewer formulas and tricks when studying, and it’s harder to get a perfect score.
- The LSAT is offered fewer times per year compared to the GRE.
- Unlike the GRE, you can’t choose which score you want to submit. LSAC will automatically report all LSAT scores in your file, including cancellations and absences.
If you have a strong GRE score and only plan to apply to a few specific law schools that accept either the GRE or LSAT then the GRE can be a good choice for you.
It also makes sense to choose the GRE over the LSAT if you are sure that you won’t be able to perform as well on the LSAT but will succeed on the GRE (for example, if you are stronger in Math).
Plus, if you’re applying to dual degree programs that may require the GRE.
However, if you already have a valid LSAT score and plan to apply to schools that only accept the LSAT, then the choice is clear.
Is The GRE A Good Predictor Of Law School Success?
According to research done by ETS on a national scale, the GRE “is a strong, generalizably valid predictor of first-year law school grades and that it provides useful information even when undergraduate grade point average already is available to predict those grades.”
Although research points to the GRE being a good predictor of success, LSAT scores continue to be considered a better predictor compared to the GRE.
A lot of empirical data supports this statement. After all, the LSAT is a test specifically made for law graduate programs, testing the skills needed to succeed in this field.
GRE Vs. LSAT: Which Test Is Easier?
It depends!
This is a very subjective question because it will depend on your strengths and knowledge.
If you’re comfortable with a broader range of skills, you might find the GRE easier and more manageable.
It covers verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing, offering a bit of everything.
However, if you enjoy diving into legal reasoning, the LSAT might be your calling.
It zeroes in on skills crucial for law school, like reading and analytical reasoning.
For those with a legal background or a penchant for logical puzzles, the LSAT could be more engaging.
Students who have ventured into both worlds often share a common sentiment: the LSAT is often perceived as more challenging.
Its emphasis on legal reasoning and unique question types demands a specific kind of preparation. The LSAT’s reputation for rigor makes it a formidable opponent, and some might find its focused approach more demanding.
That said, the GRE isn’t a walk in the park either. Its quantitative section involves math, and if that’s not your forte, it could pose its own set of challenges.
It’s more diverse in content, so your ability to navigate through a variety of skills will be put to the test.
In the end, it’s not about which test is universally easier; it’s about which one aligns with your strengths and goals.
Both require dedicated preparation to get you a good score on test day.
GRE Vs. LSAT FAQs
Is the GRE harder than the LSAT?
It will depend on your strengths and weaknesses. The quantitative reasoning section of the GRE can be harder for some students who are weaker at Math. Although the LSAT has no Math section, it is considered a bit more difficult due to its specific emphasis on legal reasoning and unique question types.
Should I take the GRE instead of the LSAT?
It depends on your particular situation.
If you are not fully certain about a law career and want to keep your options open, then the GRE is a good option.
We recommend you do some practice tests to have a better feel of how you perform.
Can I take both the GRE and LSAT?
Yes, you can take both. But you should consider if it’s necessary before you apply to law school.
Don’t forget, that if you take the LSAT, then your LSAT score will automatically be on your record.
Do Law schools prefer the GRE or LSAT?
Many law schools publicly state that they have no preference between the GRE and the LSAT.
However, most schools still only accept the LSAT, and the vast majority of successful law school applicants take the LSAT.
Conclusion
With the increasing number of law schools accepting the GRE test, applicants now have a strategic choice to make before embarking on a legal career.
The choice between the GRE and LSAT is a decision based on your individual strengths and aspirations.
The LSAT, with its specific focus on legal reasoning and established reputation, is often considered more challenging.
Meanwhile, the GRE, offering versatility and a broader range of skills assessment, stands as a gateway to various graduate programs.
