Does studying law require a lot of reading?
Asked by: Dr. Adolfo Lebsack | Last update: December 19, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (57 votes)
Law school students are expected to read hundreds of pages of legal text each week, and they are often required to write long essays and research papers for their law school classes. Second, the material you'll need to learn to become a lawyer is complex and non-intuitive.
Does law school require a lot of reading?
Not count- ing legal research and writing assignments, most first year law students meet with three classes on average per weekday. Thus, an average reading load could range from thirty-six to over seventy-five pages of reading on "school nights" - well over 2,000 pages of dense reading a semester.
Do lawyers have to do a lot of reading?
We lawyers spend much of our days reading. We read for multiple purposes: discovering facts, finding legal authority, developing advice, learning about a client, editing a document, preparing for a meeting, studying a new law.
Does law school require a lot of memorization?
One prevalent misconception is that law school is solely about memorizing vast amounts of legal rules and cases. While memorization is a part of the process, law school emphasizes critical thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to apply legal principles to real-world scenarios.
How much reading per class in law school?
Unlike in undergraduate school, law students spend countless hours preparing for classroom instruction. Along with reading around 100 pages a week per class, you'll want to review your notes and create outlines. Plus, many law students find they need to read the same material a few times to grasp it fully.
6 TRIGGERING Truths about studying Law
How many hours a day do law students read?
First-year law students should expect to commit an average of 30-40+ hours of studying per week (some advocating for more), with around 30-60 pages of reading per class each week.
Is law school harder than med school?
Each path demands extensive education and a commitment to rigorous training before becoming a qualified professional. Although both law and medical schools present their unique challenges, it's generally accepted that medical school demands a higher level of intense coursework and thorough training.
Am I smart enough to get into law school?
According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), students need a GPA of at least 3.59 and an LSAT of 162 or more to get into any top 10 law schools. However, that is the bare minimum, and you should aim higher if you want to increase your chances of getting into the top 3.
What is the most difficult class in law school?
Civil Procedure. Civil Procedure is notoriously the most difficult class you'll take in law school. I concur. The rules are complex, the procedural formalities are maddening, and keeping track of cases is nearly impossible.
How do lawyers memorize so much?
Spaced Repetition
The less often you visit a location, the harder it is to remember how to get there. In the same way, reviewing a law every day, then every other day, then every week, will leverage your mind's tendency to prioritize information that frequently appears over a prolonged period.
Can you become a lawyer if you don't like to read?
Those who don't enjoy reading will likely not cut it as a lawyer, Lee says. "Reading cases, facts, testimonies, applicable laws and reports all require an analytical mind to pick up information that favors your client and case."
Do lawyers need a lot of math?
One of the first questions that come up in Google relating to becoming a lawyer is the question “Do lawyers need to be good at maths?” The answer to this question is actually quite simple; no, you don't need to be good at mathematics. You do, however, need excellent analytical skills.
Do you have to be well spoken to be a lawyer?
Thus, throughout law school, law students will be expected to speak in front of their classmates, their professors, and – many times – even real judges. Many lawyers continue to hone the skill of public speaking throughout their careers. Litigators frequently have motions to argue and depositions to take.
What is the hardest year of law school?
Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.
How hard is studying law?
First, the workload is heavy. Law school students are expected to read hundreds of pages of legal text each week, and they are often required to write long essays and research papers for their law school classes. Second, the material you'll need to learn to become a lawyer is complex and non-intuitive.
Is law school a lot of math?
Law School
Some classes, such as tax law, require mathematical calculations. Secondly, law schools teach students a step-by-step method of logical analysis of legal problems called "legal reasoning," which students with math backgrounds may find easier to understand than humanities majors.
How many law students fail out?
How race and ethnicity play a role in law school attrition. The 2023 law school attrition rate was 3.8 percent, varying across demographics and institutions. This article delves into the types of attrition, the schools with the highest rates, and the impact of these rates on student choices and institutional policies.
What is the easiest law degree to get?
The easiest law degree to earn is a Master of Legal Studies degree. For more information about earning a Master of Legal Studies or for help finding a program, reach out to Learn.org today.
Is C failing in law school?
Most law schools consider a grade of a C- or higher to be passing.
Is law school hard in Canada?
Law school is hard – and that's a fact. But before you count how many sleepless nights you may have in the future, you must first prepare your Canadian law schools' requirements. This might be the initial obstacle you would have to face in achieving your dreams of becoming a lawyer.
What type of lawyer makes the most money?
Patent Attorney Salary
Patent attorneys are the highest-paid type of lawyers, with an average salary of $185,351, ranging from $119,88 to $285,530. Various factors contribute to a patent attorney's average salary, including experience, firm, location, and subject matter expertise.
What IQ is needed for law school?
Believe it or not, the American Bar Association used to track this stuff. Law requires only a high average (IQ 115–130). High intelligence is desirable (because it makes the training easier) but not absolutely required.
Is doctor or lawyer harder?
Becoming a doctor would seen to be more difficult than becoming a lawyer, using educational requirements, length of studies, and financial considerations as the metrics.
What is the hardest subject in a law degree?
First-year law school classes tend to be the most difficult of any that you will experience in your three years of law school, as you are getting used to new subject matter and heavier readings. Some of the hardest classes in law school, according to current and former students, are: Constitutional Law. Civil Procedure.