LSAT or GRE for Law School? Here’s How to Decide

Understanding the LSAT and GRE

What Is the LSAT?

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is designed to evaluate skills that matter most in legal education—like argument analysis, critical thinking, and reading dense texts. It’s been around since 1948 and is still considered the primary admissions exam for JD programs in the U.S. and Canada.

The LSAT includes five multiple-choice sections and one writing section:

• Logical Reasoning (2 sections)
• Reading Comprehension (2 sections)
• Unscored experimental section (1 section)
• LSAT Writing (completed separately online)

Your raw score is converted into a scaled score between 120 and 180. Law schools look closely at your score—some even publish exact medians and percentiles for admitted students.

The LSAT is a skill-based test. That means you can improve significantly with practice. But it’s also one of the most mentally demanding standardized tests out there.

What Is the GRE?

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is used for many different grad school programs—like public policy, social sciences, STEM fields, and now law schools. It tests verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing.

Sections include:

• Two Verbal Sections (reading comprehension, sentence equivalence, text completion)
• Two Quantitative Sections (algebra, arithmetic, data analysis)
• Two Analytical Writing tasks
• An experimental section (unscored)

The GRE is scored on a 130–170 scale per section, plus a 0–6 score for writing.

Unlike the LSAT, the GRE includes a fair amount of math. So if you’re rusty in that area, it may take longer to prepare.

LSAT vs GRE: Key Differences

Which Test Do Law Schools Prefer?

The short answer: Most still prefer the LSAT.

But the long answer? It depends on the school.

Law Schools That Accept the GRE

Over 90 U.S. law schools now accept the GRE. This includes several top 14 law schools (T14)—and many others.

Here are a few well-known schools that accept the GRE:

• Harvard Law School
• Columbia Law School
• University of Pennsylvania Carey Law
• NYU School of Law
• Georgetown University Law Center
• University of Virginia School of Law
• Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
• Boston University School of Law
• University of Southern California Gould School of Law

You can check the most current list on ETS’s site or on individual school websites.

Just keep in mind: accepting the GRE is not the same as preferring it. Some schools are open to it, but their applicant pool may still lean heavily LSAT. That can affect how your score is viewed—especially if the school doesn’t publish GRE score medians.

Is There a Downside to Taking the GRE?

There can be.

Even if a school accepts the GRE, it might not have as much data on how GRE scores predict law school success. That makes it harder to benchmark your application.

Also, if the school publishes LSAT-based scholarships, you may not qualify with a GRE score. And if most admitted students took the LSAT, you might end up in a small minority of GRE applicants—which can make your file harder to compare.

How to Decide: LSAT or GRE?

Here’s the part that matters most—choosing the right test for you.

Let’s walk through some factors that should guide your decision.

1. Are You Stronger in Logic or Math?

The LSAT rewards logical reasoning and reading speed. The GRE includes math (quantitative reasoning) and writing.

Choose LSAT if:

• You enjoy logical questions or analytical reading
• You want to focus only on law school
• You struggle with math or haven’t done it in years

Choose GRE if:

• You’re confident in math and writing
• You’re applying to other graduate programs too
• You want more test date flexibility

A full-length practice test for each is a great way to figure this out. Even just trying one section from each test can be eye-opening.

2. What’s Your Application Timeline?

The LSAT has fixed test dates—usually 9 times a year. You’ll need to register well in advance, especially if you want your preferred time and location.

The GRE is more flexible. You can schedule a test almost any day at a nearby center or even take it at home.

If you're running up against a deadline, the GRE might buy you more time.

3. Are You Applying to Dual-Degree or Non-Law Programs?

If you’re looking into JD/MPH, JD/MBA, JD/MPP, or similar dual programs, the GRE is often accepted for the non-law side. Some schools may allow it for both.

You may also be someone who’s law-curious but not fully committed. In that case, the GRE keeps your grad school options open without locking you into law only.

4. How Do You Feel About Score Reporting?

GRE gives you ScoreSelect—you can send only your best scores to schools.

LSAT scores, on the other hand, are automatically shared with every school you apply to. That means they’ll see all your scores from the past five years.

If test anxiety is a factor for you—or you want more control—this can make a big difference.

5. What’s Your Budget?

Test costs are fairly close:

• LSAT registration: $222
• GRE registration: ~$220

But prep costs can differ a lot.

GRE prep books and tools are more widely available. Many are free or low-cost.

LSAT prep is more specialized—and often more expensive. If you're on a tight budget, GRE prep may be more accessible.

Final Thoughts: What’s Right for You?

Choosing between the LSAT and GRE isn’t just a test decision—it’s a strategic move.

If you’re confident that law school is your one and only path, and your brain works in patterns and arguments, the LSAT is still your safest bet.

But if your strengths lean more toward math and general writing, or you’re applying to multiple types of grad programs, the GRE might be the better tool for your goals.

Either way—plan early, test smart, and go with the exam that lets you show your full potential.

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