Is there a law school that doesn't require LSAT?

Asked by: Amparo Cremin  |  Last update: May 28, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (44 votes)

While truly no-LSAT programs are rare and often for-profit or online, many ABA-approved law schools now offer LSAT-optional admissions, accepting the GRE, GMAT, or even the new JD-Next exam instead, with schools like UPenn, UChicago, Suffolk, and University of Dayton among those providing flexibility, especially for dual-degrees or alternative scores, though some predatory programs exist, so due diligence is crucial.

Can I get into law school without LSAT?

No, you do not technically have to take the LSAT to get admitted into law school. While the LSAT has been a longstanding requirement for most law schools in the United States, an increasing number of schools are offering alternatives.

What was Barack Obama's LSAT score?

Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed to have been very high, likely in the 170-175 range, to gain admission to Harvard Law School with a relatively low undergraduate GPA. Analysts suggest he needed a score in the top percentiles (perhaps 94th-98th) to overcome his lower GPA and secure a spot at the prestigious institution, indicating a strong performance near the perfect 180 score. 

Has Kim Kardashian taken the LSAT?

Kim takes the California Bar Exam's “baby bar” without completing a bachelor's degree or taking the LSAT. Kim continues to balance her legal pursuits with media and business ventures, using her platform for criminal justice reform advocacy.

Which law schools don't look at LSAT?

Several top law schools allow applicants to submit GRE scores instead of the LSAT, including:

  • Harvard Law School.
  • Columbia Law School.
  • Georgetown University Law Center.
  • Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
  • New York University (NYU) School of Law.
  • University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law.

The LSAT Has Changed—Here’s What You Need to Know (2026)

25 related questions found

What's the easiest law school to get into?

The "easiest" law schools to get into generally have higher acceptance rates and lower median GPA/LSAT scores, with schools like Capital University, University of North Dakota, New England Law | Boston, University of Idaho, and Roger Williams University often listed, but remember, no law school is truly "easy," and factors like your GPA, LSAT, personal statement, and letters of recommendation matter, with some schools even accepting lower figures like a 2.9 GPA or 140 LSAT for specific programs. 

What did Elle Woods get on her LSAT?

Elle Woods scored a 179 on the LSAT, just one point shy of a perfect 180, after initially scoring a 143 on a practice test, a massive jump that helped her get into Harvard Law School. This near-perfect score, combined with a 4.0 GPA and strong extracurriculars, made her a competitive applicant, though her rapid improvement from a low practice score is often noted as a highlight (and a bit unrealistic) of her journey in Legally Blonde.
 

How many times did Michelle Obama take the bar exam?

Michelle Obama took the Illinois bar exam twice, failing the first time but passing on her second attempt, a fact she openly discussed in her memoir, Becoming, noting it as a humbling but ultimately insignificant setback. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1991 after this success.
 

Who has the highest LSAT score?

Sarah Boyle, a member of The University of Scranton's Class of 2024, scored a perfect 180 on her Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

Is baby bar harder than bar?

The Baby Bar (First-Year Law Student's Exam or FYLSE) isn't inherently harder than the full California Bar Exam, but its lower pass rates make it seem harder, largely because it's taken by students on non-traditional paths (like law office study or unaccredited schools) who are often less prepared, testing only Contracts, Criminal Law, and Torts, while the full Bar covers many more subjects. While the Baby Bar has a smaller scope, its low passage rates (sometimes below 30%) highlight the challenge for those lacking traditional law school training.
 

What did Ben Affleck get on his SAT?

Ben Affleck reportedly had a "near-perfect" or "almost perfect" SAT score, rumored to be 1600, on the old 1600-point scale, though the exact score isn't officially confirmed, with sources citing sources like the New York Times on his high aptitude despite poor high school attendance.
 

Did Michelle Obama finish law school?

Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Born in Chicago and raised on the South Side of the city, Obama is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School. In her early legal career, she worked at the law firm Sidley Austin where she met her future husband.

What is the #1 ranked law school in the world?

There isn't one single "number one," as rankings vary, but Harvard University, Yale University, and Stanford University consistently appear at the very top globally, often trading #1 spots depending on the ranking system, with Harvard often leading in overall QS rankings and Yale/Stanford in U.S. News & World Report's domestic rankings for U.S. schools. Other top contenders include Oxford, Cambridge, Chicago, and NYU.
 

Are they getting rid of the LSAT?

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. (It feels weird to have this discussion without bringing up the most cited reason why the Council voted to remove Standard 503.

What law schools are online with no LSAT?

Purdue Global Law School has its own online admissions exam and does not require applicants to take the LSAT.

What is the alternative to the LSAT?

JD-Next is accepted at many law schools, either as a standalone score or as an application addendum. View the law schools officially approved by the American Bar Association to accept the JD-Next final exam as a replacement for the LSAT exam.

Did Kim Kardashian pass the LSAT?

Indeed, Kim revealed on Nov. 8 that she sadly did not pass the all-important exam, but she wasn't calling it quits, either. "Six years into this law journey, and I'm still all in until I pass the bar," she wrote in a post on her Instagram Stories.

What major gets into law school the most?

Top 10 Most Popular Undergraduate Majors for Prospective Law Students

  1. Political Science. Percentage of Students Admitted: 74.0% ...
  2. Economics. Percentage of Students Admitted: 78.2% ...
  3. History. Percentage of Students Admitted: 79.1% ...
  4. Philosophy. Percentage of Students Admitted: 75.5% ...
  5. English. ...
  6. Finance. ...
  7. Arts & Humanities. ...
  8. Psychology.

What LSAT score will get you a full ride?

To get a full law school scholarship, aim for an LSAT score significantly above the school's median, generally in the mid-160s to 170+ range, especially for higher-ranked schools, as schools use high scores to award significant aid, but remember your GPA and other factors (leadership, experience) matter, with top schools often requiring scores above 170. 

Did Joe Biden pass a bar exam?

Yes, Joe Biden earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Syracuse University College of Law in 1968 and was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1969, indicating he passed the bar exam required for practice, despite graduating in the lower half of his class. 

How many times did Kim Kardashian take the bar exam?

Kim Kardashian has taken the official California Bar Exam once, in July 2025, and did not pass, but she did pass the "baby bar" (First-Year Law Students' Exam) on her fourth attempt in 2021 after failing it three times. She plans to retake the main bar exam, as there's no limit on retakes in California.
 

Did JFK ever pass the bar exam?

Kennedy earned a Juris Doctor degree from the New York University School of Law in 1989. He then failed the New York bar exam twice before passing on his third try in July 1990. After failing the exam for a second time, Kennedy vowed that he would continue to take it until he was 95 years old or passed.

Does Reese Witherspoon have a law degree?

Witherspoon clarified, “I definitely did not go to law school, I didn't finish college.” This incident highlighted a significant public misconception about the legal profession.

Who turned down the role of Elle in Legally Blonde?

Christina Applegate turned down the role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde because she was hesitant to play another "ditzy blonde" character after her time on Married... with Children, though she later called it a "stupid move" and expressed regret, realizing the character's potential and praising Reese Witherspoon for her portrayal.
 

How long is LSAT valid for?

An LSAT (or LSAT-Flex) result is reportable for up to five testing years after the testing year in which the score is earned. For information about how many times a test taker may sit for the LSAT, please see Limits on Repeating the LSAT. LSAT testing years run from July 1 through June 30.