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There is no fixed GRE score required for law school; schools that accept the GRE look for scores competitive with their LSAT-based class profile. The GRE reports Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning on a 130 to 170 scale each, plus Analytical Writing from 0 to 6. Aim for percentiles matching a school's admitted students, and check its reported GRE ranges.
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 GRE cutoff for law school, because schools that accept the GRE want scores competitive with the strength of their admitted class. In practice that means aiming for high percentiles, particularly on Verbal Reasoning, which aligns most closely with legal reading and analysis. The right target depends on how selective your schools are. about 128 U.S. law schools, including every T14 school.
The GRE General Test reports three measures: Verbal Reasoning from 130 to 170, Quantitative Reasoning from 130 to 170, and Analytical Writing from 0 to 6 in half-point steps. Each scaled score also maps to a percentile that shows how you did relative to other test-takers. For law school, admissions readers pay closest attention to Verbal Reasoning and the writing score.
Schools that accept both tests often use a score-comparison tool from ETS that estimates an LSAT-equivalent from your GRE results, so they can judge applicants on one scale. Because the LSAT drives class-profile reporting, a GRE applicant is usually measured against the same LSAT medians. Some schools publish their admitted GRE ranges, which is the clearest target. see the linked source (see the linked source).
Set your target school by school rather than chasing one number.
A good GRE score for law school is one that is competitive with your target schools' admitted class, which usually means high percentiles, especially on Verbal Reasoning. There is no single magic number, because expectations rise with selectivity. Compare your score to each school's published GRE range or its LSAT medians. about 196 ABA-approved law schools.
Most law schools do not publish hard GRE cutoffs, and instead read scores in the context of your whole application and their admitted class. A very low score can effectively rule you out at selective schools, while a high one strengthens your file. The practical target is a score competitive with each school's profile. see the linked source (see the linked source).
Verbal Reasoning generally matters most for law school, because it tests the close reading and reasoning that legal study demands, and the Analytical Writing score also draws attention. Quantitative Reasoning carries less weight for most law programs, though it can help for dual degrees or quantitative fields. Prioritize Verbal Reasoning when you prepare and when you set your target score.
Whether the GRE is easier than the LSAT depends on your strengths, since the two tests are structured differently. The GRE includes a math section and vocabulary, while the LSAT focuses on logical reasoning and reading comprehension on a 120 to 180 scale. Applicants stronger in math sometimes prefer the GRE, but there is no universally easier test. Try a practice section of each.
Verified August 2026.
August 21, 2026
August 21, 2026