What Law Schools Don T Require the LSAT

Law schools that don't require the LSAT include many ABA-approved programs that accept the GRE, a smaller group that accepts JD-Next, and a few that grant waivers. As of the current cycle, about 196 ABA-approved law schools offer one. This guide explains who they are, why they shifted, and how to apply.

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.

What law schools don't require the LSAT?

Law schools that don't require the LSAT include many ABA-approved programs that accept the GRE, a smaller group that accepts JD-Next, and a few that grant GPA-based waivers. They range from top-14 schools to regional programs. Because most still require a substitute test, not requiring the LSAT usually means accepting a different one. about 196 ABA-approved law schools.

Why are more law schools dropping the LSAT requirement?

Schools accept alternatives to the LSAT to widen their applicant pools and reach candidates from STEM, business, and other graduate tracks who have already taken the GRE. The ABA's allowance for a valid and reliable admissions test beyond the LSAT gave schools room to adopt the GRE, and interest in JD-Next has added another route. Competition for applicants keeps the trend moving. see the linked source (see the linked source).

How do no-LSAT schools evaluate applicants?

A no-LSAT school reads your substitute score, usually a GRE percentile or a JD-Next result, against the same class medians it uses for LSAT applicants, then weighs it with your GPA, essays, and experience. The review is no lighter for skipping the LSAT; only the test differs. Balanced GRE sections generally read better than a lopsided score. your target schools' published 25th-50th-75th percentile figures.

What steps should you take to apply without the LSAT?

1. List target schools and confirm which accept the GRE or JD-Next. see the linked source (see the linked source).
2. Take the substitute test and aim for percentiles at or above each school's medians. see the linked source (see the linked source).
3. Submit your scores and application through the school's process.
4. Weigh whether a strong LSAT would add schools or scholarships before ruling it out. see the linked source (see the linked source).

Frequently asked questions

Which law schools accept the GRE?

A broad set of ABA-approved law schools accepts the GRE, a group that has grown as schools compete for applicants from other graduate tracks. ETS publishes the roster, spanning top and regional programs, and each school's page confirms its current stance. about 128 U.S. law schools, including every T14 school.

Can you get into law school without the LSAT?

Yes. The dependable route is a GRE score, with JD-Next and GPA-based waivers covering fewer schools. Fully test-free admission is uncommon, so build your plan around submitting a substitute test and meeting each school's medians. a test under ABA Standard 503, though a November 2024 variance now lets schools admit applicants without one.

Is the GRE easier than the LSAT?

Neither is easier for everyone. The GRE adds quantitative math and vocabulary and drops the LSAT's formal logic, so the right choice depends on your strengths. Take a practice section of each and compare percentiles before you commit to a test. two scored Logical Reasoning sections, one scored Reading Comprehension section, and one unscored variable section.

Sources

• 2Civility, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism
• ABA-Approved Law Schools
• ETS, Law Schools that Accept GRE Scores
• LSAC LSAT Percentiles
• LSAC Specifications of the LSAT

Verified August 2026.