LSAT vs GRE for Law School: Which Test Should You Take?
Take the LSAT if law school is your goal: LSAC describes it as the only admission test accepted by all ABA-approved law schools. Consider the GRE only if every law school on your list accepts it, especially if you are also applying to other graduate programs. GRE acceptance is set school by school, so confirm each program's policy before you commit.
LSAT vs GRE at a glance
| Dimension | LSAT | GRE General Test |
|---|---|---|
| Administered by | Law School Admission Council (LSAC) | ETS |
| Law school acceptance | Accepted by all ABA-approved law schools | Set by each law school; ETS lists law programs among GRE users |
| Total time | About 3 hours: four 35-minute sections with a 10-minute intermission | About 1 hour 58 minutes, five sections |
| Scored content | Two Logical Reasoning sections and one Reading Comprehension section, plus one unscored variable section | Two Verbal Reasoning and two Quantitative Reasoning sections, plus Analytical Writing |
| Math | No math section | Quantitative Reasoning with an on-screen calculator |
| Writing | LSAT Argumentative Writing: unscored, taken separately online; scores release only after it is on file | One 'Analyze an Issue' task, 30 minutes, scored 0-6 |
| Scoring | Scaled 120-180 | Verbal and Quant 130-170 each; Analytical Writing 0-6 |
| Fee | US$253 for the 2026-2027 testing year, including Argumentative Writing | US$249 worldwide except China (US$237.86) |
| When offered | Multiple administrations per testing year | Year-round, 365 days a year |
| Retakes | 5 times in the current reportable score period, 7 times lifetime | Once every 21 days, up to 5 times in a rolling 12 months |
Choose LSAT if
- You are applying to law school and want a score that every ABA-approved law school accepts.
- Your strengths are argument analysis and dense reading, which make up every scored LSAT section.
- You want to avoid math, since the LSAT has no quantitative section.
- You prefer a writing task that is unscored and taken separately from the main test.
Choose GRE if
- You are applying to law school and another graduate program, such as a dual degree, and want one test for both.
- Every law school on your list has confirmed that it accepts the GRE.
- You are comfortable with math and vocabulary and want those strengths to count.
- You want frequent test dates: the GRE runs year-round and can be retaken every 21 days.
- You want a shorter test day: about 1 hour 58 minutes instead of about 3 hours.
Do all law schools accept the GRE?
Not necessarily. LSAC states that the LSAT is the only admission test accepted by all ABA-approved law schools, so GRE acceptance varies by school. Check each program's admissions page before you register for the GRE.
Is the LSAT harder than the GRE?
They test different skills, so difficulty depends on your strengths. The LSAT scores only logical reasoning and reading comprehension, with no math. The GRE covers verbal reasoning with vocabulary-heavy question types, quantitative reasoning and a scored essay. A timed practice section of each is the fastest way to see which suits you.
How long are the LSAT and the GRE?
The LSAT takes about 3 hours for standard test takers: four 35-minute sections with a 10-minute intermission after the second. The GRE General Test takes about 1 hour 58 minutes across five sections. The LSAT writing task is taken separately, so it is not part of that 3 hours.
Does the LSAT have an essay?
Yes. LSAT Argumentative Writing is an unscored task with 15 minutes of prewriting analysis and 35 minutes of writing, taken online with remote proctoring. LSAC releases your LSAT score only after an approved writing sample is on file.
Can I practice for the LSAT and GRE on KomFi Academy?
Yes. KomFi Academy has separate LSAT and GRE topics with practice questions that include full explanations, plus flashcards and a glossary. You can start on the free Basic tier, and Pro unlocks each topic's full question bank.
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Sources: LSAC: About the LSAT, LSAC: LSAT FAQ, LSAC: LSAT Argumentative Writing, LSAC: Limits on repeating the LSAT, ETS: GRE General Test, ETS: GRE test structure.