Why is the ABA getting rid of the LSAT?
Asked by: Raymundo Wiegand | Last update: June 23, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (68 votes)
Those who want to get rid of the test requirement have argued that the LSAT is a flawed measure and a barrier for minority would-be lawyers because on average they score below white test-takers. A 2019 study found the average score for Black LSAT takers was 142, compared with 153 for white and Asian test-takers.
Why is the ABA dropping the LSAT?
A Wall Street Journal article about the ABA move quoted Leo Martinez, an ABA council member and dean emeritus at University of California, Hastings College of the Law, who said, “In the grand scheme of things, folks of color perform less well on the LSAT than not, and for that reason, I think we are headed in the right ...
Why are they removing logic games from LSAT?
The elimination of logic games comes after the LSAC entered into a 2019 settlement with two blind LSAT takers who claimed the logic games violated the Americans With Disabilities Act because they could not draw the diagrams often used to complete that portion of the test.
Is the LSAT being phased out?
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.
Is the ABA not requiring the LSAT?
The ABA Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar (Council) has voted to allow law schools to apply for a variance that will enable them to admit up to 100% of their students without scores from the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) or another standardized admissions test.
Is the ABA Removing the LSAT Requirement?
Is it worth going to a non ABA law school?
Studying in non-ABA-accredited schools is significantly cheaper than attending an ABA-accredited law school. Affordable tuition fees and quality legal education make non-ABA-accredited law schools a good option. This reduces the need for student loans and debt requirements.
Does the ABA rank law schools?
No ranking or rating system of law schools is attempted or advocated by the ABA. Rather, the ABA provides only a statement of the accreditation status of a school. Fully approved schools have demonstrated that they are operating in compliance with each of the ABA Standards for Approval of Law Schools.
What are the changes to the LSAT in 2024?
Test Structure Change: Starting in August 2024, the LSAT will transition to two Logical Reasoning (LR) sections and one Reading Comprehension (RC) section, plus one unscored section of either LR or RC that enables us to test questions for future tests.
Is Yale getting rid of the LSAT?
The LSAT isn't going away.
But it won't take effect until 2025. And remember: all we're doing here is removing a requirement to use an admissions test.
Are they canceling the LSAT?
ABA votes to end law schools' LSAT requirement, but not until 2025.
Will LSAT 2024 have logic games?
The first test administration to remove LSAT "logic games" will be August 2024. The LSAT change will not impact tests administered between now and June 2024. These tests will consist of one Logical Reasoning section, one Reading Comprehension section, one Analytical Reasoning section, and an unscored section.
What LSAT score do I need for Harvard?
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.
Will the August 2024 LSAT be harder?
Because this was the first test without an Analytical Reasoning section, we know people will be wondering whether there was any impact on scores. The short answer is no — scores for the August 2024 LSAT are very much in line with August scores in recent years.
Can you get into law school without LSAT?
Yes, you can. Many law schools in the U.S. (including prestigious ones) don't have an LSAT requirement. However, they require the GRE, an exam taken to apply to grad school. If you're not keen on writing the dreaded LSAT, consider adding these schools to your list of top choices!
Did Harvard get rid of LSAT?
Harvard Law School accepts either the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). We do not have a preference for either exam. Similarly, a candidate is not considered more committed by taking both exams or disadvantaged by taking the same exam multiple times.
Has the LSAT gotten harder over time?
No. The LSAT changes for each session that it is offered. While it may change in difficulty, that does not affect a student's ability to get a high mark.
Is a 153 LSAT score good?
The LSAT is scored on a 120–180 scale. The average LSAT score is about 153. This relatively small range of scores means that small improvements in performance can increase your score quite a bit.
What is the lowest LSAT to get into Yale?
There is no minimum GPA or LSAT score for applicants, but the recent statistics show that the lowest GPA and LSAT scores received by a member of Yale Law School's most recently admitted class were 3.32 and 155 respectively. 50% of successful applicants scored a 173 or higher on the LSAT.
Is the GRE easier than the LSAT?
If math is not your strong suit or your math skills are very rusty, you may not find the GRE easier than the LSAT. Although there is no Quantitative section on the LSAT, you may still need some basic math knowledge for the exam.
What is the hardest part of the LSAT?
The Most Challenging LSAT Section: Logical Reasoning (Arguments) The Logical Reasoning section of the LSAT proved to be the most challenging LSAT section for me. Although the right prep strategy really helped me tackle this difficult part of the exam, it really presented me with its own set of challenges and rewards.
What was the average LSAT score in August 2024?
The average LSAT score is around 152, though many top-100 schools will require more than the average for admissions. Schools will compare you to other applicants from the same cycle.
What happens to your LSAT score after 5 years?
Yes, LSAT results do expire. The LSAC states that your LSAT score remains valid for a period of five years. It is crucial to verify the policy of each law school, as some may only consider scores from the past three or four years.
Did the ABA drop the LSAT?
The ABA's Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar overwhelmingly voted to resubmit a controversial proposal to end by 2025 the longstanding requirement that schools use the Law School Admission Test or other standardized test when admitting new students.
What is the hardest law school in USA?
1. Yale University. With an acceptance rate of just 6.9%, it's no wonder that Yale is the hardest law school to get into. Only around 1 in 15 of their highly qualified applicants makes it through.
Why go to a non-ABA law school?
Affordable Education
Studying at a non-ABA-accredited law school can be significantly cheaper than attending an ABA-accredited school. Lower tuition rates at Cal Bar law schools make legal education more accessible, reducing the need for substantial student loans.