Law Schools

Prospective Law Students Like The LSAT

Reports of the LSAT's demise may be exaggerated.

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The LSAT is under attack. More and more law schools are making moves to accept the GRE in lieu of the traditional law school exam, believing this will open up the applicant pool, keeping tuition checks rolling in. The American Bar Association — the body responsible for law school accreditation — is even considering elimination of the accreditation standard that requires a standardized exam as part of the admissions process, which throws the door wide open for the GRE or any other alternative process.

But the law student rite of passage still has some fight left in it. According to a recent survey by Kaplan Test Prep of 350 aspiring lawyers, a whopping 73 percent say they’d still take the LSAT even if the law school they’re applying to did not require a standardized test. So, are wannabe lawyers just gluttons for punishment? Nah. They’re just competitive — they believe that taking the LSAT will give them a competitive advantage against applicants who might opt out of a standardize exam.

Jeff Thomas, executive director of pre-law programs at Kaplan Test Prep, says the LSAT still represents excellence in the legal field and students look to set themselves apart with the test:

“There’s some strategic thinking going on among these pre-law students. In an admissions process that’s becoming increasingly rigorous because of a recent surge in applicants, aspiring attorneys will continue to look for every competitive advantage possible. For generations, that competitive advantage has been a high LSAT score,” said Jeff Thomas, executive director of pre-law programs, Kaplan Test Prep.

And to hear the survey respondents tell it, taking — and acing — the LSAT is a badge of honor they believe will help them get into the law school of their choice:

– “Without the LSAT being so important I probably wouldn’t have gotten into a great law school. But because of the LSAT, I can show merit without needing to be able to afford a fancy school. In my opinion, tests like the LSAT really level the playing field for students like me.”

– “Many of the skills developed for the LSAT are vital to your future success as a potential lawyer…(abolishing the requirement) might lower the overall quality of the legal profession. Attempting to lower the standards can be detrimental.”

– “The LSAT is a very challenging test that students need to work hard to study for. I feel like it ‘weeds out’ the people who will not make it in law school. I believe that (not requiring a test) will result in more students not graduating or dropping out.”

So it looks like LSAT will still have a place in legal education for years to come.

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headshotKathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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