LSAT<\/a> is the only admission test accepted by every ABA-approved law school in the United States and is designed specifically to measure the reasoning and reading skills needed for law school while the Bar Exam, taken after earning your degree, tests legal knowledge and practical skills for licensure. <\/p> In this exam breakdown, I\u2019ll explain the key differences so you know exactly what each exam involves and how to prepare for them.<\/p>
Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/p> - LSAT is for law school admissions:<\/strong> It focuses on reasoning, analytical, and reading comprehension skills, not legal knowledge.<\/li>
- Bar Exam is for attorney licensure:<\/strong> Tests substantive legal knowledge, legal principles, and practical lawyering skills.<\/li>
- Preparation timelines differ:<\/strong> LSAT prep often takes several months; Bar Exam prep is usually 8\u201310 intensive weeks after earning a law degree.<\/li>
- 2025 LSAT update:<\/strong> No logic games; now has two Logical Reasoning sections, one Reading Comprehension section, and one unscored section.<\/li>
- Bar Exam changes:<\/strong> California is fully in-person as of July 2025; the NextGen UBE launches in July 2026 with a shorter, skills-focused format.<\/li> <\/ul>
What Is the LSAT?<\/strong><\/h2> The LSAT is a law school admission test required by most U.S. law schools and created by the Law School Admission Council. It evaluates arguments, logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, and reading comprehension. Admissions committees use LSAT scores with GPA and other application materials to assess a candidate\u2019s ability to succeed in legal education. It does not test specific legal topics like criminal law or constitutional law.<\/p>
As of 2025, the LSAT Includes:<\/strong><\/p> - Two scored Logical Reasoning sections<\/li>
- One scored the Reading Comprehension section<\/li>
- One unscored section (either LR or RC)<\/li>
- An unscored online Argumentative Writing task completed within 8 days of the multiple-choice portion<\/li> <\/ul>
What Is the Bar Exam?<\/strong><\/h2> The Bar Exam is a licensing test taken after earning a law degree. It measures whether a candidate is competent to provide legal services and practice law. <\/p>
Most states use the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), which includes:<\/p>
- Multistate Bar Examination (MBE):<\/strong> 200 multiple-choice questions on topics like constitutional law, contracts, torts, criminal law, and civil procedure.<\/li>
- Multistate Essay Examination (MEE):<\/strong> Essays applying legal knowledge to fact patterns.<\/li>
- Multistate Performance Test (MPT):<\/strong> Practical lawyering skills such as drafting memos or client letters.<\/li> <\/ul>
Some jurisdictions add state-specific sections. The passing score and content vary by location.<\/p>