LSAT vs. GRE: which test should you take?
If law school is your goal, take the LSAT. The GRE is accepted at many law schools, but it is still the exception, not the rule. The details below explain why.
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The tests at a glance
| LSAT | GRE General Test | |
|---|---|---|
| Designed for | Law school admissions | Graduate school broadly (business, law, PhD programs) |
| Format | Four 35-minute sections: two scored Logical Reasoning, one scored Reading Comprehension, one unscored variable | About 1 hour 58 minutes: two Verbal and two Quantitative sections plus one essay |
| Scoring | 120 to 180, single score | 130 to 170 per section (Verbal and Quantitative), plus Analytical Writing 0 to 6 |
| Math | None | Yes: a full Quantitative Reasoning section |
| Writing | Separate unscored essay, required for score release | One scored essay, part of the test |
| Cost (US) | $253 (2026-2027 testing year) | $220 |
| Offered | About eight times per year | Year-round, at test centers or at home |
| Retakes | 5 in the reportable period, 7 lifetime; schools see all scores | Every 21 days, up to 5 times per year; ScoreSelect lets you send only your best |
Which law schools accept the GRE?
More than 100 ABA-accredited law schools accept the GRE, including many of the most selective programs. That sounds like a lot. But fewer than 2 percent of enrolled law students got in with a GRE score. The LSAT is the only test every ABA-accredited JD program accepts.
There are also policy quirks. Some schools will not consider a GRE score if you already have an LSAT score on file. Others ask for all of your GRE scores from the last five years. Read each school's policy before you decide.
Who should consider the GRE?
- You already have a strong, recent GRE score and would rather not start over.
- You are strong at math and weaker at dense reading, and your target schools treat the two tests equally.
- You are applying to dual-degree programs (for example, a JD/MBA) where the other program wants the GRE.
The honest verdict
Take the LSAT. It was built for law school admissions, every school accepts it, and admissions offices compare LSAT scores directly against their published medians. A GRE score adds a layer of translation and uncertainty. The GRE is a reasonable backup plan, not the main plan.
Fees verified October 12, 2026. GRE facts from ETS-published materials.
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