How does the LSAT compare to the GMAT?

Asked by: Raymond Kautzer  |  Last update: December 7, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (24 votes)

(The Analytical Reasoning, or Logic Games, section is not part of the new LSAT.) On the other hand, the GMAT incorporates both of its verbal question types, Critical Reasoning (which is comparable to LSAT Logical Reasoning) and Reading Comprehension, into one Verbal Reasoning section.

Is the LSAT harder than the GMAT?

As mentioned above, the single biggest difference between LSAT® and GMAT (or EA) questions is that the LSAT® questions are, on average, wordier and more difficult. But if you skim through the questions in an LSAT® Critical Reasoning section, you'll find some question styles that rarely appear on the GMAT or EA.

Is the GMAT or LSAT better for law school?

Don't panic; the answer is quite simple. If you're looking to pursue a career in law, we recommend focusing on the LSAT. Even if law schools accept a GMAT score, the LSAT is the better option for law programs.

Is the LSAT the hardest test?

The LSAT is considered one of the most challenging standardized tests due to its emphasis on reasoning and analytical skills. How hard is it to pass the LSAT test? The LSAT does not have a passing score, but achieving a high score requires significant preparation and strong reasoning skills.

Is it difficult to score 650 in GMAT?

Taking the GMAT is a big deal, with over two lakh students participating yearly. On average, everyone scores around 565, making it a challenging test. Looking at the stats, only 27% scored higher than 650, and just 12% reached the 700 mark. This gives you an idea of how tough the GMAT can be.

GMAT vs LSAT

37 related questions found

How rare is a 800 GMAT?

The Graduate Management Admissions Council reports that fewer than 50 out of over 200,000 test-takers achieved a perfect 800 on the previous GMAT version annually. However, with dedicated study, structured practice, and the right mindset, attaining the max GMAT score is within the realm of possibility.

Can I get into Harvard with a 650 GMAT?

Stanford University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Harvard University are top MBA universities that accept GMAT scores of 650 or less. MBA colleges that accept GMAT scores of 650 or below typically require an average of 4 years of work experience.

What is the most difficult professional exam?

Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World
  • Gaokao Exam in China.
  • IIT JEE Advanced.
  • Civil Services Exam (CSE)/UPSC.
  • All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam.
  • USMLE.
  • Master Sommelier Diploma Exam.
  • ICAI CA/ ICMAI Exams.
  • CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert)

Is the LSAT harder than the bar?

Generally, the bar exam is considered harder than the LSAT. The LSAT tests logical reasoning and reading comprehension for law school admission, while the bar exam requires extensive legal knowledge and practical skills to obtain a license to practice law.

Has anyone gotten 100% on the LSAT?

A 20-year-old woman from Pennsylvania has shared her real-life Legally Blonde moment after achieving the perfect score of 180 in the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

How rare is a 170 LSAT?

170 score: Scoring a 170 on the LSAT is almost always considered a good score — that means you are in the 2-3% of test-takers.

Is the LSAT obsolete?

The ABA's House of Delegates will vote on the Council's proposed change in February 2023. If the House votes to nix Standard 503, the standardized-test requirement won't go away until 2025. So, the LSAT isn't definitely going away, and it's definitely not going away until 2025.

What LSAT does Harvard require?

So let's take a look at what it actually takes to have a chance of being admitted to the most prestigious and preeminent law school in the world. As you can see from these numbers, an LSAT score of 170 or higher and a GPA above 3.75 will give you a chance of gaining admission to Harvard Law School.

Is there any math on the LSAT?

No, the LSAT does not explicitly test math. You may see some questions about percentages in the logical reasoning (arguments) section, and some analytical reasoning questions (i.e., logic games) may resemble math problems, but these questions are designed to test your logical reasoning, not your mathematical knowledge.

What is the hardest part of the GMAT?

The Quantitative Section

Many people consider Quant the hardest section of the GMAT to master.

Which LSAT month is the hardest?

There isn't one specific month that is the easiest or hardest to write the LSAT, and if there was, it would change each year since the students writing the LSAT change each year! The hardest test will be the one you haven't fully prepared for, regardless of the month!

Did Kim Kardashian pass the LSAT?

She failed it 3 times before finally passing in 2021 (which apparently is pretty common for people who take this path). A few years later, I have not heard anything about her attempting the real bar exam.

How bad is a 142 LSAT score?

The LSAC also reports a mean LSAT score of 151.88 among all these test-takers. All these factors combined mean a score of 142 is both below average in terms of LSAT scores, and far below average in terms of performance for an LSAT test-taker.

Is a 157 a good LSAT score?

From your raw scores, the test is graded on an LSAT score scale from 120-180. The average LSAT score is about 150. To get into a top 14 law school, you need to score above 166, and to get into a top 50 law school, you need 153 or above.

Which is the no. 1 toughest exam in the world?

Gaokao Exam - China. The Gaokao, which means higher exam, is the abbreviation of the Nationwide Unified Examination for Admissions to General Universities and Colleges. This test is the national undergraduate admission exam for China. It is the most difficult exam in the world.

Which is harder, LSAT or CPA?

Some candidates claim that it's easier to study for the LSAT than the CPA Exam and that the LSAT requires fewer study hours to get a good score. The CPA Exam requires a lot of memorization, and most candidates need to take several practice exams before they can pass.

Is the CFA harder than the bar?

CFA Exams Pass Rates

The CFA exams are perhaps the most challenging exams out there. They are often referred to as “bar none” the toughest exams—even harder than medical school or law school exams—with pass rates that hover around 50% and were much lower during the recent pandemic.

What is an Ivy League GMAT score?

For example, if you want to get into Ivy League schools like Harvard, your GMAT score should be in the 720-740 range. Top 20 business schools prefer students with 700+ scores. In addition to the GMAT scores, there are many issues you need to consider before applying to an MBA program.

Is 490 a bad GMAT score?

First, some perspective: A score of 490 is in the 32nd percentile at a time when the median GMAT for enrolled students at Harvard is in the 96th percentile. It's decidedly well below the 544 average score and there are some schools that would immediately toss the application in the rejection pile.