The LSAT is an integral part of law school admission. The purpose of the LSAT is to test the skills necessary for success in the first year of law school. Those skills include reading comprehension, reasoning, and writing, and the test results help admission decision-makers and candidates alike gain valuable insight as to law school readiness. Studies have consistently shown the LSAT to be the single best predictor of first-year law school performance, even better than the undergraduate grade-point average. While LSAC believes the LSAT is important, we strongly encourage schools to include it as just one part of a holistic admission process that considers the skills and lived experience of each candidate.
The LSAT is the only test that helps candidates determine if law school is right for them. Some law schools will accept tests other than the LSAT for admission. However, students who want to maximize their chances for admission and be best prepared for law school are encouraged to take the LSAT.