GRE vs LSAT: Which Test Should You Take?
GRE and LSAT are standardized graduate and law school admission tests, respectively. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) administers the GRE, while the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) administers the LSAT.
The GRE is a comprehensive exam to assess a student’s verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing abilities.
This test is commonly required for admission to graduate programs such as business, engineering, and social sciences. Some law schools also accept the GRE as an alternative to the LSAT.
On the other hand, the LSAT is a specialized test designed to assess a student’s analytical and logical reasoning skills. It is used for admission to law schools and is required by all ABA-accredited law schools in the United States.
The GRE and LSAT differ in the test’s format, structure, and content. The GRE comprises six sections: two verbal reasoning sections, two quantitative reasoning sections, one analytical writing section, and one unscored research section.
The LSAT consists of five sections: one reading comprehension section, one analytical reasoning section, one logical reasoning section, one unscored experimental section, and one writing sample section.
The GRE and LSAT have differences in their scoring systems. The GRE scores range from 130 to 170 for verbal and quantitative reasoning and 0 to 6 for analytical writing. On the other hand, the LSAT scores are between 120 and 180.
When deciding which test to take, students need to assess their strengths and weaknesses, considering the content and format of each test. Additionally, researching the admission requirements of the specific graduate or law school of interest is crucial.
Some law schools have recently started accepting the GRE alongside the LSAT. However, it’s important to note that certain law schools still mandate the LSAT for admission.
Therefore, students should thoroughly review the admission requirements of each law school they are interested in to determine the appropriate test to take.
GRE: An Overview
The GRE, or Graduate Record Examination, is a standardized test commonly required for admission to graduate programs in the United States and other countries. It assesses verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills.
Developed and administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the GRE is a computer-adaptive test. This means that the difficulty of the questions adjusts based on the test-taker’s ability. The test comprises six sections: two for verbal and quantitative reasoning, one for analytical writing, and an unscored research section.
Verbal reasoning assesses the ability to analyze and evaluate written material and recognize relationships among words and concepts. Quantitative reasoning measures understanding, interpreting, and analyzing quantitative information, problem-solving using mathematical concepts, and applying basic mathematical skills.
The analytical writing section evaluates the articulation of complex ideas, the ability to support ideas with relevant evidence, and adherence to standard written English conventions. This section includes two tasks: analyzing an issue and analyzing an argument.
A math section also tests basic mathematical concepts and skills, covering arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. This section is further divided into a calculator-permitted and a calculator-not-permitted section.
Graduate programs widely accept the GRE test in various fields, including business, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. GRE scores are valid for five years, and test-takers can take the test multiple times if unsatisfied with their initial score.
LSAT: An Overview
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardized test used by law schools to assess the skills necessary for success in law school.
The LSAT comprises four sections, each assessing specific skills crucial for success in law school. These sections are Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension. Each part focuses on testing different abilities that are important for excelling in law studies.
The Analytical Reasoning section, also known as logic games, tests the ability to understand and analyze complex relationships between different elements.
The Logical Reasoning sections test the ability to analyze arguments and draw conclusions based on the information.
The Verbal Reasoning section evaluates your skill in grasping intricate ideas and arguments presented in written form. On the other hand, the Reading Comprehension section assesses your ability to read and understand challenging passages.
The LSAT, or Law School Admission Test, uses a scale from 120 to 180, with 150 as the average score. When you’re applying to law school, they look at your LSAT scores, undergraduate GPA, work experience, and other things to decide if you get in. Doing well in these areas is essential for a better chance of being accepted.
In addition to the four main sections, an unscored writing sample and an experimental section may be included in the test. The writing sample is used to assess writing skills, while the experimental section is used to test new questions for future LSATs.
Comparing the GRE and LSAT
Format
The GRE is a computer-based test comprising six sections: one writing section, two Verbal Reasoning sections, and two Quantitative Reasoning sections.
The final section is either an additional Verbal Reasoning or Quantitative Reasoning section or an unscored research section. The test takes approximately three hours and forty-five minutes to complete.
The LSAT, on the other hand, is a paper-based test that consists of five sections: one reading comprehension section, one analytical reasoning section, one logical reasoning section, an unscored experimental section, and a writing section. The test takes approximately three hours and thirty-five minutes to complete.
Sections
The GRE consists of three main parts: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. In the Verbal Reasoning section, you’ll assess your skills in analyzing and evaluating written content while synthesizing information.
The Quantitative Reasoning section tests students’ ability to understand, interpret, and analyze quantitative information. The Analytical Writing section tests students’ ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively.
The LSAT has three sections: Logical Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension. The Logical Reasoning section tests students’ ability to analyze and evaluate arguments.
The Analytical Reasoning section tests students’ ability to understand and analyze complex relationships between objects. The Reading Comprehension section tests students’ ability to understand and analyze difficult written material.
Scoring
The GRE test scores are 130 to 170 for Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning and 0 to 6 for Analytical Writing. You usually get your scores 10 to 15 days after the test.
The LSAT scores go from 120 to 180, with 180 being the highest score possible. After taking the LSAT, you typically get your scores within three weeks.
Practice Test
Both the GRE and LSAT offer practice tests for students to familiarize themselves with the test’s format and types of questions.
Law School
While the LSAT is the traditional test for law school admission, some schools also accept the GRE. Students should check with individual law schools to determine which test is required for admission.
GRE and LSAT in Law School Admissions
When it comes to law school admissions, both the GRE and LSAT are accepted by some schools. However, the LSAT is designed explicitly for law school admissions and is accepted by all accredited law schools in the United States.
On the other hand, the GRE is accepted by some law schools but not all. Therefore, applicants need to research the specific requirements of their target law schools before deciding which test to take.
The American Bar Association (ABA) does not have a preference for either the GRE or LSAT in law school admissions.
Some law schools may prefer one test over the other. Applicants must check with their target law schools to determine which test is preferred or accepted.
The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) administers the LSAT and provides the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) to help applicants organize their law school applications.
The CAS collects and summarizes undergraduate transcripts, letters of recommendation, and other application materials for law school admissions.
The CAS does not accept GRE scores. Applicants who take the GRE must send their scores directly to their target law schools.
Applicants should also consider the format and content of the GRE and LSAT when deciding which test to take. The GRE is a computer-based test that can be taken year-round, while the LSAT is administered seven times per year in a paper-and-pencil format.
The GRE includes verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing, while the LSAT includes logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, and reading comprehension.
Impact of GRE and LSAT on Law School Rankings
According to the US News Law School Rankings, test scores account for 12.5% of a law school’s overall ranking. Therefore, law schools’ acceptance of GRE scores can significantly impact their ranking.
Harvard Law School, Columbia Law School, Cornell Law School, and the University of Arizona are among the law schools that have started accepting GRE scores and LSAT scores.
Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Georgetown University Law Center, and the University of California also accept GRE scores.
Boston University School of Law, New York University School of Law, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, University of Chicago Law School, University of Virginia School of Law, and Yale Law School only accept LSAT scores.
The University of Southern California Gould School of Law and the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School accept GRE and LSAT scores.
Experts suggest that law school acceptance of GRE scores may attract a more diverse pool of applicants, as other graduate programs also accept the GRE.
Some experts argue that the LSAT is a better predictor of success in law school and, therefore, should be the only test accepted.
Preparing for the GRE and LSAT
To prepare for the GRE and LSAT, students should take practice tests to identify their strengths and weaknesses. They can then focus on improving their skills where they need help most.
Students should focus on improving their vocabulary and math skills for the GRE. They should also practice answering questions on games, a unique feature of the GRE.
Students should focus on improving their reasoning and logic skills for the LSAT. They should also practice answering questions on logic games, a unique feature of the LSAT.
Studying for the GRE and LSAT should also involve reviewing and practicing with study materials, such as textbooks, flashcards, and online resources. Students should also consider enrolling in a test prep course to receive expert guidance and support.
It is important to note that the GRE and LSAT are challenging entrance exams, and there is no shortcut to success. Achieving a high score on either test takes time, effort, and dedication.
GRE and LSAT: Predicting Success in Law School
Both the GRE and LSAT are standardized tests law schools use to assess the intellectual skills of potential law students.
While the LSAT has been the traditional test used by law schools for many years, an increasing number of law schools also accept the GRE.
The LSAT evaluates the skills crucial for law school achievement, including reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning. In contrast, the GRE serves various graduate programs, examining verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing.
Numerous studies confirm the LSAT’s long-standing effectiveness in predicting law school success. Additionally, recent research indicates that the GRE is a reliable predictor of first-term law school grades, demonstrating its validity in this context.
Law schools that accept the LSAT and GRE consider them equally good predictors of success in law school. However, it is essential to note that not all law schools accept the GRE.
If a student is considering applying to law school, they should research the requirements of the schools they are interested in to determine which test they should take.
