Are standardized tests the move?

On Friday, an American Bar Association panel voted 15-1 to drop a nationwide requirement that all law school applicants take the LSAT or any other standardized admissions test.

⏩ Driving the decision… Panel members said the move is intended to bring the ABA in line with other national school accreditors, none of which require standardized tests for admission (though the individual schools themselves often do).

Comments from the public regarding the ABA’s plan were polarized, largely around the issue of diversity.

• A coalition of 59 law school deans signed an open letter in dissent, warning such a move would lead to schools relying on other, more subjective criteria for admission, which could ultimately harm diversity.
• In support, other experts cited research showing students of color tend to score lower on the LSAT and argued eliminating the tests would remove a potential barrier for admission.

👀 Looking ahead… The policy change will take effect for students applying in fall 2025. Individual schools are still allowed to require the LSAT under the new rules – and it appears many will still do so.

🎓 Zoom out: LSATs aren’t the only standardized test going the way of the BlackBerry. Last year, more than 1,000 undergraduate colleges and universities made the SAT and/or ACT optional for all college applicants during the pandemic, a practice many are extending through at least 2023.

📊 Flash poll: Do you think colleges and universities should require standardized tests for undergraduate admission? (Click a link below to record your vote + see a follow-up question.)

Yes

No

Unsure/other