Why is the LSAT so important? Forum

[Englander742]

Hey everyone. I'm really interested in why the LSAT is so important in law school admissions. I know the standard answer about USNWR - I'm wondering if there is anything else? What besides the rankings motivates schools to use LSAT-driven admissions?

I thought of Convenience and then also Grade inflation decreasing the relevance of UGPA. Any others?

[law4vus]

Hey everyone. I'm really interested in why the LSAT is so important in law school admissions. I know the standard answer about USNWR - I'm wondering if there is anything else? What besides the rankings motivates schools to use LSAT-driven admissions?

I thought of Convenience and then also Grade inflation decreasing the relevance of UGPA. Any others?

It's a standardized test that tests everyone on the same things, regardless of undergrad rigor or major. It isn't perfect, but it tests on what law schools feel are the more important skills for a law student.

The reason it is weighed so much higher than GPA is because you can major in ANYTHING as a pre-law student and the LSAT acts as the equalizer between the nuclear physics major and the basket weaving major. It's different than, say, med school admissions because med school also requires a standard set of prerequisite classes.

[Opie]

What besides the rankings motivates schools to use LSAT-driven admissions?

Nothing.

[JamMasterJ]

Basicallywhat law4vus said. It's the closest thing they've found to an equalizer

[butchcassidy]

Also, I don't know if it's an intended purpose, but I think it weeds out some of the people not capable of putting the time and effort into succeeding in law school. If you aren't dedicated enough to pull at least a 160+ on the LSAT, you're probably not going to have the work ethic to do well at a top tier law school

[thederangedwang]

just take the freakin test and do well on it

[butchcassidy]

just take the freakin test and do well on it

just let the man ask his question

[LSAT Blog]

LSAT and undergraduate GPA are both good predictors of 1L GPA, but the LSAT is a better predictor than undergraduate GPA. The LSAT alone has a correlation of .35, and undergraduate GPA alone has a correlation of .28. Together, they have a correlation of .49 with 1L GPA.

For more details, see page 61 of this study, "Identification, Development, and Validation of Predictors for Successful Lawyering" (PDF).

[Englander742]

LSAT and undergraduate GPA are both good predictors of 1L GPA, but the LSAT is a better predictor than undergraduate GPA. The LSAT alone has a correlation of .35, and undergraduate GPA alone has a correlation of .28. Together, they have a correlation of .49 with 1L GPA.

For more details, see page 61 of this study, "Identification, Development, and Validation of Predictors for Successful Lawyering" (PDF).

Thanks for that! I asked the question because it is a research interest of mine. I know the rankings is the big one because of the major effects rankings have on everything else. I just thought there may also be a bigger picture.