Table of Contents
GMAT vs LSAT | An overview
The GMAT vs LSAT are standardized tests used for graduate school admissions but serve different purposes. The LSAT is designed for law school admissions and tests skills important for success in law school, such as reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and analytical thinking. In contrast, the GMAT is primarily used for MBA programs and assesses skills important in business, such as critical reasoning, data analysis, and problem-solving. While there may be the same skills tested, the focus and content of the two exams are quite different. Prospective graduate students must choose the test that aligns with their educational and career goals.
An overview of the GMAT exam
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a standardized computer adaptive test used for admissions into business schools worldwide. It assesses skills relevant to business and management, such as critical reasoning, data analysis, and problem-solving.
Some common undergraduate degrees for MBA seekers:
- Economics
- Business
- Finance
- Technology
- Mathematics
MBA specializations
- MBA in General Management
- MBA in Consulting
- MBA in Finance
- MBA in Entrepreneurship
- MBA in Technology Management
- MBA in Marketing
Format
The GMAT consists of four sections: Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, and Verbal. The test is administered on a computer, and each section has a fixed time limit. The total testing time is three and a half hours.
| 80 questions spanning four sections | Time limit |
| Analytical Writing Assessment | 30 minutes |
| Integrated Reasoning | 30 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning | 62 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 65 minutes |
Content
The Analytical Writing Assessment requires you to analyze an argument and write an essay that critiques the reasoning used. The Integrated Reasoning section assesses the ability to interpret and analyze complex data in multiple formats, including graphs, charts, and tables. The Quantitative section includes arithmetic, algebra, and geometry, and the Verbal section assesses reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction.
Scoring
The GMAT is scored on a scale of 200 to 800, with separate scores for each section. The Analytical Writing Assessment is calculated on a scale of 0 to 6 in half-point increments. The Integrated Reasoning section is scored on a scale of 1 to 8 in one-point increments.
Career opportunities
The GMAT is widely used by business schools worldwide to evaluate you for admission to MBA and other graduate business programs. A high GMAT score can increase your chances of being accepted into a top business school and lead to a successful career in finance, consulting, and marketing. In addition, some companies use GMAT scores to evaluate candidates for management positions. A strong GMAT score can demonstrate the analytical and problem-solving skills required for success in these roles.
Careers after getting an MBA Degree
- Non-profit Organization Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Information Technology Director
- CEO
- CTO
- Operations Manager
An overview of the LSAT
LSAT (Law School Admission Test) is a standardized test used for admissions into law schools worldwide. It assesses skills relevant to law studies, such as reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and analytical thinking.
Some popular law specialties that students can choose to study:
- Criminal law
- Health law
- Injury law
- International law
- Environmental law
Format
The LSAT consists of five sections: Logical Reasoning (2 sections), Analytical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and an unscored Writing Sample. The test is administered on paper, and each section has a fixed time limit. The total testing time is approximately three and a half hours.
| 100 questions spanning three sections | Time limit |
| Logical Reasoning | 35 minutes + 35 minutes |
| Reading Comprehension | 35 minutes |
| Analytical Reasoning | 35 minutes |
Content
The Logical Reasoning sections require you to analyze arguments, identify flaws in reasoning, and draw conclusions. The Analytical Reasoning section assesses the ability to draw logical conclusions based on complex sets of information. The Reading Comprehension section assesses the ability to read and understand difficult passages and answer questions. Finally, the Writing Sample is an unscored section that requires you to write an essay on a given topic.
Scoring
The LSAT is scored on a scale of 120 to 180, with the average score being around 150. The score is calculated on the number of correct answers and does not penalize for incorrect answers.
Career opportunities
Law schools worldwide use the LSAT to evaluate students for admission to their programs. A high LSAT score can increase the possibility of being admitted into a top law school and lead to a successful career in litigation, corporate law, and public interest law. In addition, some companies and organizations use LSAT scores to evaluate candidates for positions that require strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Criminal law
- Statutory law
- Common law
- Civil law
- Corporate lawyer
- Professor of law
- Prosecutor
- Mediator
- Trial attorney
- Attorney
- Litigator
GMAT vs LSAT | Which one to opt for?
Comparing the difficulty level of the GMAT vs LSAT is subjective, as they are designed to test different skills and knowledge. The GMAT focuses on skills and knowledge related to business and management, while the LSAT focuses on law-related skills and expertise. As such, the difficulty level of each test is determined by your background, experience, and strengths.
Generally, the LSAT is known for its challenging logic games and reading comprehension passages, while the GMAT is known for its complex data analysis and quantitative reasoning questions. Both tests require extensive preparation, and you must focus on their strengths and weaknesses to perform well. Ultimately, the difficulty of the GMAT vs LSAT depends on your academic and professional goals, as each test serves a unique purpose in graduate school admissions.
Key takeaways
- For GMAT vs LSAT, the former is for business school admissions, while the latter is for law school admissions.
- GMAT focuses on skills related to business and management, while LSAT focuses on skills related to law.
- GMAT consists of quantitative reasoning, data analysis, and verbal and writing skills, while LSAT consists of reading comprehension, logical and analytical reasoning, and writing skills.
- Both exams require extensive preparation and are timed, with GMAT being 3.5 hours long and LSAT being 3.5 hours long.
- Scoring for GMAT is on a scale of 200-800, and LSAT is on a scale of 120-180, with both tests allowing multiple attempts.
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Liked this blog? Read next: 10+ universities that don’t require GMAT | Your absolute guide
FAQs
Q1. Do MBA programs accept LSAT?
Answer- While some MBA programs may accept LSAT scores instead of GMAT scores, this is not a common practice. Therefore, it is always right to check with individual MBA programs to determine their specific admission requirements.
Q2. Do law programs accept GMAT?
Answer- Law programs typically do not accept the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) as an admission requirement. Instead, the GMAT is primarily used for admission to graduate-level business programs, such as MBA programs.
Q3. Which is easier- GMAT vs LSAT?
Answer- GMAT vs LSAT are different exams designed to measure other skills, so the scores are not directly comparable.
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