LSAT vs GRE, MCAT & Bar Exam

When you start researching law school, the LSAT is not the only three-letter test that comes up. Here is how it compares to the GRE, the MCAT, and the bar exam — and which ones actually matter for getting into and through law school.

LSAT vs GRE

The GRE is the general graduate-school admissions test. A growing number of ABA-accredited law schools accept it as an alternative to the LSAT, but not all do. The LSAT remains the only admissions test accepted by every ABA-accredited law school. The GRE also includes a quantitative (math) section the LSAT does not have, while the LSAT leans heavily on logical reasoning and reading comprehension. If you want the widest set of law schools open to you, the LSAT is the safer bet; the GRE only makes sense if your specific target schools accept it.

LSAT vs MCAT

These are entrance exams for entirely different careers. The LSAT is for law school (JD programs); the MCAT is for medical school (MD/DO programs). They are not interchangeable, cover different material, and are scored on different scales. You would take the MCAT only if you are applying to medical school, not law school.

LSAT vs Bar Exam

The LSAT and the bar exam sit at opposite ends of a legal career. The LSAT comes before law school, as part of admission. The bar exam comes after you earn a JD, to become licensed to practice law. You do not take the bar to get into law school; you take it to practice afterward. Some states also offer alternative pathways (such as a supervised practice route), but the bar exam is the standard licensing step.

Which test do law schools prefer?

For law school admission, the LSAT is the default and most widely accepted test. A few schools also accept the GRE, but the LSAT is what every school will consider and what admissions offices are most experienced evaluating. Unless you have a specific reason to prefer the GRE — for example, you are applying to other graduate programs at the same time — the LSAT is the standard choice. To see what scores schools expect, compare medians on the LSAT score range page.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions

Is the GRE accepted instead of the LSAT for law school?

A growing number of ABA-accredited law schools accept the GRE as an alternative to the LSAT, but not all of them do. The LSAT remains the only admissions test accepted by every ABA-accredited law school. If you are certain about your target schools and they all accept the GRE, it can be an option; if you want maximum flexibility across schools, the LSAT is the safer choice.

Is the LSAT or the GRE easier?

Difficulty is subjective and depends on your strengths — the GRE includes a quantitative (math) section the LSAT does not, while the LSAT emphasizes logical reasoning and reading comprehension. Neither is universally "easier." The more useful question is which test your target schools accept and weight most heavily; for most law school applicants that is the LSAT.

What is the difference between the LSAT and the MCAT?

They are entrance exams for different professions. The LSAT is for law school (JD programs); the MCAT is for medical school (MD/DO programs). They are not interchangeable — you would take the MCAT only if you are applying to medical school, not law school.

What is the difference between the LSAT and the bar exam?

They sit at opposite ends of the legal career. The LSAT is taken before law school, as part of admission. The bar exam is taken after earning a JD, to become licensed to practice law. You do not take the bar exam to get into law school; you take it to practice afterward.

Should I take the LSAT or the GRE for law school?

If you are applying broadly or to the most competitive law schools, take the LSAT — it is accepted everywhere and is the test law schools know best. The GRE only makes sense if the specific schools you are targeting accept it and you have a reason to prefer it (for example, applying to other graduate programs at the same time).

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