Law schools are still requiring that candidates take a standardized exam as part of the application process (at least for now). In the past, law school applicants had only one testing option – the LSAT – but a growing number of law schools now accept the GRE, too, including Harvard, Columbia, Yale, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Virginia. (A few, such as the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Virginia, even accept the GMAT, but we’ll leave that topic for another time.)

What are the implications for applicants?

Having options is great. An applicant can choose which testing opportunity is right for them. And for students who are applying to dual-degree programs or have previously taken, for example, the GRE, it can save them time and money if they can avoid the LSAT. But having options also requires that you do more research to make sure you understand the implications of your choice. If you are considering taking the GRE rather than the LSAT, you will need to first check whether all programs you are applying to accept the GRE. If not, you’ll have to take the LSAT anyway, so you’ll want to know that as early in the cycle as possible. 

What if you have taken (or want to take) both the LSAT and the GRE?

If you plan to take (or have taken) both the GRE and the LSAT, be aware that law schools differ on whether you must submit both sets of scores. Some require you to submit all scores; others say that you must submit your LSAT score and you can (but don’t have to) submit your GRE score. Be sure to check each school’s website to understand their testing policy. 

Regardless of which test you take, be prepared.

Study for the test and approach it seriously. For better or worse, a higher standardized test score will increase your chances of acceptance, so it is an important aspect of the application and deserves ample attention. Pick a future test date, and then make studying for the exam your part-time job. Take practice tests, gauge your test-taking abilities, and continue to prepare as necessary. Do not take an official test (for either the GRE or the LSAT) just to see how you will do. That test score will be on your permanent record (for the LSAT, for five years), which means you might need to explain a poor score in an addendum to your application. Therefore, just “winging” the exam does not show good judgment. 

Which test is easier: the LSAT or the GRE? 

The answer to this question differs from person to person, so you need to figure out what the answer is for you. Take practice tests for both exams and see how you do on each. This is truly the only way to determine which test is “easier” for you. Only take an official exam when you are ready.

Make sure to research the numbers.

How do you know what a competitive GRE score is? Some institutions list their GRE test scores on their Standard 509 Information Report and/or post it on their website. For example, see Harvard Law School’s 2024 report  to get a sense of their GRE medians. This report also often contains information about the number of accepted students who took the GRE and the number who took the LSAT. If a school accepts less than a certain minimum number of GRE students in a cycle, there might be no reported median. (A significant amount of data is necessary to calculate a reliable median.) In addition, the GRE testing site ETS provides a comparison tool to help applicants determine comparable GRE and LSAT scores. Many admissions committee members will look closely at your GRE percentile score and translate it into the percentile equivalent on the LSAT. You should do the same when attempting to evaluate your competitiveness.

Which exam is better for you and your unique situation? 

The short answer is “it depends.” Not everyone would agree with me on this, but I generally recommend taking the LSAT unless there’s a reason you prefer the GRE. I think there’s a bit more uncertainty when you take the GRE. Some students do have good reasons for applying with the GRE (e.g., they’ve already taken it and have a good score; they tried LSAT prep but couldn’t get the score they wanted, while the GRE comes easier to them; or they are applying to a dual-degree program that requires the GRE anyway). And even though I have a slight preference for the LSAT, I’ve worked with plenty of students who applied with the GRE and had great results. 

Do you have other questions about these exams or any other aspect of your law school candidacy? Do you need help putting together the various elements of your law school application? Wherever you are in the law school admissions process and whatever you need, our advisors are here to help! Click here for more information on how we can help you get Accepted.

Brigitte Shur spent 15 years traversing the globe in an international human rights law career before starting a consulting business that included evaluating more than 2,500 applications to the University of Virginia School of Law. She developed a clear sense of how to create a strong application that connects the applicant to the admissions officers and that frames the applicant’s story, strengths, and weaknesses in the most authentic and constructive light. She holds a BA from an interdisciplinary honors program at UT Austin and a JD from UVA Law. Alongside her admissions work, she consults with foundations and nonprofits on human rights law–related programs and research, covering issues such as justice reform, LGBTQ advocacy, and antislavery initiatives. Want Brigitte to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch! 

Related Resources

• Law School Selectivity Index, a free tool
• Admissions Straight Talk podcast for law school applicants
• Law School Admissions Calculator, Accepted’s free quiz