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Neither test is simply easier. The LSAT centers on logical reasoning and dense reading under time pressure, while the GRE adds vocabulary and quantitative math but no formal logic. Which feels easier depends on your strengths, and many applicants choose the GRE for its math-friendly format and flexible testing dates. about 128 U.S. law schools, including every T14 school.
By Ali Unar, JD candidate at Georgetown Law and founder of Lovare Institut. Last updated August 2026. Figures on this page were verified in August 2026 or point readers to the current source.
There is no universal answer, because the GRE and the LSAT test different skills. The LSAT is a reasoning and reading exam scored 120 to 180, with no math at all. The GRE is a broader graduate exam that includes a quantitative math section, vocabulary-heavy verbal questions, and analytical writing. A strong reader who dislikes math often finds the LSAT more natural, while a quantitative applicant may score higher on the GRE.
The difference comes down to format and content rather than raw difficulty. The LSAT rewards fast, precise logical reasoning across two scored Logical Reasoning sections, one Reading Comprehension section, and one unscored variable section, with the old Logic Games retired since August 2024. The GRE spreads its difficulty across verbal, quantitative, and writing tasks. The table compares the two on the features applicants weigh most.
The current ranking is best read directly from the source. See the U.S. News Best Law Schools list for the up-to-date order, and each school's ABA Standard 509 report for its median LSAT, GPA, and acceptance rate.
Acceptance is the first nuance: every ABA law school takes the LSAT, but only a subset accepts the GRE, so the GRE can limit where you apply. Scholarships are the second, since many schools still anchor merit aid to LSAT percentiles. If you have already taken the GRE for another program, reusing it can save months. If law school is your only goal, the LSAT often gives you the widest reach. your target schools' published 25th-50th-75th percentile figures.
Take a timed practice section of each and compare your percentile, not your raw score, because schools read percentiles. Choose the LSAT if you want the broadest list of schools and the strongest scholarship position, and choose the GRE if you test better on it or already have a competitive score on file. Confirm that your specific target schools accept the GRE before you commit. about 128 U.S. law schools, including every T14 school.
A sizable and growing group of ABA-approved law schools accept the GRE in place of the LSAT, including several top-ranked programs. Because the list is updated as new schools opt in, the safest step is to check ETS's published roster and each school's admissions page for the cycle you are applying to. about 128 U.S. law schools, including every T14 school.
Yes. You can be admitted to many ABA-approved law schools without an LSAT score by submitting a GRE result instead, and a smaller number of schools accept the JD-Next assessment or grant waivers. Fully test-free admission is rare, so most no-LSAT applicants still submit some standardized score. a test under ABA Standard 503, though a November 2024 variance now lets schools admit applicants without one.
Not inherently. The GRE avoids the LSAT's formal logic but adds quantitative math and vocabulary, so difficulty depends on your strengths. Applicants who struggle with timed logic sometimes prefer the GRE, while strong readers often score higher on the LSAT. Take a practice section of each and compare percentiles before deciding. two scored Logical Reasoning sections, one scored Reading Comprehension section, and one unscored variable section.
Verified August 2026.
August 21, 2026
August 21, 2026