Do you need both the GRE and LSAT for law school?

Taking two graduate admissions tests can be difficult and especially challenging for students who decide to pursue a degree in law. Taking two exams may be considered the safer option, but it does not necessarily make it the more efficient one. If you are asking, ‘Should I take both GRE and LSAT?’ the answer depends largely on your target schools and academic plans.

The LSAT is a specific test for assessing particular skills that are needed for studying in the legal field. These skills include analytical reasoning, logical reasoning, reading comprehension and argumentative analysis. If you are considering law school, understanding what the LSAT measures can help you determine whether it aligns with your goals.

In turn, the GRE is the test that assesses the general skills needed for admission to graduate studies. They include verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing. This type of test can be convenient for those students who consider studying in a few different disciplines or who have passed it before.

If you have to apply to law schools where LSAT as well as GRE scores can be submitted, taking both of them might turn out to be a good idea. Similarly, if you plan to apply to law schools as well as graduate schools, you may consider taking both tests. However, because preparation for two different tests will take up more time, effort, and money, it will become difficult to prepare for both of them.

First of all, you should research the law schools you intend to apply to and make yourself familiar with their testing and score-submission policies.

The next step is to take practice tests on both exams. What is important to remember here is that you should not compare just the scores. Consider what questions are simpler for you, how quickly you master the answers and how well each test fits into your preparation schedule. In case one test perfectly corresponds to your skills, it might be more productive to focus on it only than to divide yourself between these tests.

If you are still wondering, ‘Should I take both GRE and LSAT?’ consider whether both tests are actually required or useful for your intended programs. The GRE can be useful not only in your application to law schools, since it is accepted by many other programs. However, the LSAT relates only to law schools. That is why those who are fully committed to the study of law may find it helpful to use such specialized test.

In conclusion, taking both GRE and LSAT is optional, but not mandatory for applying to law schools. Compare your skills, the requirements of preparation for both exams and make a decision on how to fit this process into your schedule.

Paul Thomas is the author of this article. For more details about LLM in Newtown PA, please visit our website: lsac.org.