Potential Roadblock for Mature Law School Hopefuls: ABA Rejects Admission Test Waiver Proposal

February 7, 2023

The American Bar Association's House of Delegates has rejected a proposal to allow law schools to admit students without scores from the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Examinations. The rejection was announced at a recent meeting in New Orleans and comes amidst growing concerns over admission test barriers for disadvantaged students. Despite the rejection, the final decision on law school admission standards rests with the Council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.

The LSAT is the most widely used admission test for law schools and assesses skills in reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning. In recent years, many colleges and universities have adopted test-optional policies for undergraduate admissions. However, law schools are still required to use admission test scores to meet the bar association’s accrediting standards. Critics argue that admission tests pose an unnecessary barrier for disadvantaged students, while proponents argue that they provide useful information to admissions officers and help determine eligibility for scholarships.

The debate over the LSAT comes at a time of unusual flux and scrutiny for legal education, with many prominent law schools declared opposition to cooperating with the U.S. News & World Report rankings and anticipating the possibility of the Supreme Court ending race-conscious affirmative action in admissions. Despite the recent rejection, the Council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar will consider next steps at a meeting on February 17th. The issue of admission tests in law schools continues to be a contentious one, with advocates on both sides working towards increasing diversity and access in the profession.

The Future of Law School Admissions: Examining the Pros and Cons of Revising the LSAT Mandate

Implications of Revising the LSAT Mandate: If the ABA revises its mandate and eliminates the requirement for LSAT scores, law schools would have more flexibility in their admission processes. This could result in a more diverse pool of applicants, as those who may have been discouraged by the test would be more likely to apply. Additionally, law schools could put more emphasis on other factors, such as grade-point averages and personal essays, which could provide a more holistic view of an applicant. However, some argue that removing the LSAT requirement could make it more difficult for admissions officers to compare applicants and make informed decisions.

Implications for Older Students: For older students who are returning to school to pursue a law degree, the LSAT mandate has been a barrier to entry. By eliminating the requirement, older students who may not have taken the LSAT in years, or who may not have performed well on the test, would have a better chance of getting into law school. However, if the mandate is not revised, older students may feel discouraged and be less likely to pursue a law degree.