What is the LSAT and is is still required to get into law school?

1. What standardized test is required for admission to ABA accredited law schools?
The American Bar Association (ABA) required that all applicants to ABA-accredited law schools take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). The LSAT is a standardized test that measures reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning.
 
2. What is the LSAT?
The LSAT is a half-day, standardized test that is required for admission to all ABA-accredited law schools, as well as many non-ABA accredited law schools. The LSAT is administered four times per year by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). 

The LSAT consists of five 35-minute sections of multiple-choice questions, followed by a Writing Sample. The multiple-choice sections include: Reading Comprehension, Analytical Reasoning, and Logical Reasoning (sometimes referred to as Arguments). 

While the LSAT used to be the only standardized test required for admission into an ABA-accredited law school, that is no longer the case. In recent years, some law schools have begun to accept the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) in lieu of the LSAT. 

3. What is the difference between the LSAT and the GRE?
The LSAT and the GRE are both entrance exams for law school and graduate school, respectively. They differ in scope, content, and format. The LSAT is mainly multiple choice, while the GRE has both multiple choice and essay sections. The LSAT covers reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning, while the GRE covers verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing.
 
4. Why is the LSAT no longer required for admission to ABA accredited law schools?
The change in policy by the ABA is in response to multiple studies that have questioned the predictive validity of the LSAT. In other words, while the LSAT may be a good measure of certain skills that are important for success in law school, there is evidence that it does not do a good job of predicting who will actually succeed in law school. This is especially true for students from historically underrepresented groups, who often score lower on the LSAT but perform just as well as their peers once they are in law school. There is growing evidence that the GRE is a better predictor of success in law school than the LSAT. Additionally, the GRE is a less expensive and more widely available test than the LSAT, which makes it more accessible to students from all backgrounds.

In light of this, the ABA decided to give accredited law schools the option of whether or not to require the LSAT for admission. Many schools have chosen to keep the LSAT as a requirement, while others have decided to make it optional or to stop requiring it altogether. 

There are a few reasons why some schools have chosen to keep the LSAT as a requirement. First, the LSAT is still a good way to compare applicants from different backgrounds. Second, even though the LSAT may not be perfectly predictive, it is still the best tool available for admission decisions. And finally, the LSAT is still required for admission to many state bar exams, so most students will need to take it anyway.
 
4. How will this change affect potential law students?
As the legal landscape changes and new regulations come into play, potential law students will need to adapt. Those interested in pursuing a career in law will need to decide whether to take the LSAT or the GRE. While both tests are accepted by many schools, it's important to do your research to figure out which test is right for you.


Conclusion
The ABA's decision to no longer require the LSAT for admission to accredited law schools is viewed by many as a positive change that will make law school more accessible to a wider range of students. The LSAT has long been criticized as being an unfair test that favors certain groups of people, and this change will level the playing field for everyone who wants to pursue a law degree. The GRE is a more comprehensive test that assesses a wider range of skills, and it is already required for admission to many other graduate programs. This change will make the admissions process fairer and more transparent, and it will ultimately lead to a more diverse and qualified pool of law students.