PRESENTED BY ETS

If you are law school bound, you’re probably planning on prepping for the LSAT. After all, those scores will be an important facet of your application. But did you realize that an increasing number of universities are accepting the GRE® General Test in lieu of the LSAT? We talked with some folks at ETS to discuss this change in policy and learn why applicants might just prefer the GRE® General Test.

Man in classroom

Is there a benefit to taking the GRE® General Test over the LSAT?

GRE® General Test scores are accepted by many law schools, and that number is growing every week. The advantage to this particular test is that scores can also be used to apply for graduate and business admissions, keeping your options open if you are undecided regarding the degree program you wish to pursue. Also, the GRE® General Test allows test takers to view their unofficial Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores on test day.

The GRE® General Test is offered on a continuous basis in test centers worldwide. It can also be taken at home using your own computer and monitored by a human proctor online. The test taken at home is identical in content, format, and on-screen experience to a test taken at a test center. It is available around the clock, seven days a week, with appointments available as early as 24 hours after registration.

Is there a marked difference between the two tests? What does each test measure?

Although the GRE® General Test and LSAT use different names for the skill sets they measure, there is actually quite a bit of overlap. The skills measured by the LSAT’s Reading Comprehension and Logical Reasoning section are assessed in the Verbal Reasoning section of the GRE® General Test. The skills measured by the LSAT’s Analytical Reasoning section are covered in the Analytical Writing section of the GRE® test. Of course, quantitative reasoning skills are measured only on the GRE® General Test. Nevertheless, according to the American Bar Association® (and the legal profession at large), all of these skills are important for success in both law school and the practice of law.

The LSAT is a paper-delivered test whereas the GRE® General Test is computer-delivered. The GRE® General Test is section-level adaptive, which allows test takers to preview and review questions, skip and then return to questions, and change answers, all within a section. As a result, you can use test-taking strategies that you might use when taking a test on paper. Also, when taking the GRE® General Test you can use an on-screen calculator during the Quantitative Reasoning section, which allows you to focus your attention on reasoning rather than on calculations. 

Do you find law schools view the GRE® General Test and the LSAT equally?

Most schools that accept GRE® General Test scores weigh them equally with the LSAT. And many institutions even note on their websites that they have no test preference, emphasizing that they take a holistic approach and evaluate applications similarly regardless of test type. However, admissions requirements and criteria do vary by institution, and sometimes program, so it is always best to check directly and confirm a school’s policies.

Finally, for applicants, submitting GRE® General Test scores can actually be a strategic decision that helps to round out your application package. Because the test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills, GRE® test scores can help fill in your academic background.   

To learn more about the GRE® General Test and the best way to prepare for the test, visit: ets.org/gre/prepare.

ETS, the ETS logo and GRE are registered trademarks of ETS. LSAT is a registered trademark of the Law School Admission Council which does not endorse or approve this Comparison.