Law Schools That Accept JD-Next

View the ABA-accredited law schools officially approved to accept the JD-Next final exam as an alternative admissions option to the LSAT.

Schools Accepting JD Next SCHOOLS 1

What is an ABA Variance and Why it Matters?

The American Bar Association (ABA) has granted a variance to ABA-accredited law schools, enabling them to accept the JD-Next admissions test as an alternative to the LSAT for admissions decisions. This important recognition validates JD-Next as a reliable and valid assessment of applicant potential for success in law school.

View ABA Variance Documentation

Law Schools Granted Requests for a Variance from Standard 503

SCHOOL NAME ABA APPROVAL DATE
Akron School of Law, University of 2/21/2025
Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, University of 5/31/2023
Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law 11/17/2023
Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, University of 5/17/2024
Atlanta's John Marshall Law School 11/17/2023
Boston College Law School 11/17/2023
Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School 8/18/2023
California-Davis School of Law, University of 8/18/2023
California Western School of Law 8/18/2023
Case Western Reserve University School of Law 8/18/2023
Charleston School of Law 8/18/2023
Cincinnati College of Law, University of 8/18/2023
City University of New York School of Law 8/18/2023
Cleveland State University College of Law 8/18/2023
Creighton University School of Law 8/18/2023
Dayton School of Law, University of 8/18/2023
Denver Sturm College of Law, University of 8/16/2024
DePaul University College of Law 5/17/2024
Drake University Law School 8/18/2023
Florida A&M University College of Law 2/21/2025
Emory University School of Law 11/17/2023
Florida International University College of Law 8/18/2023
Fordham University College of Law 5/17/2024
George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School 11/8/2024
George Washington University Law School 11/17/2023
Georgetown University Law Center 8/18/2023
Georgia School of Law, University of 8/18/2023
Hofstra University, Maurice A. Deane School of Law 8/18/2023
Illinois College of Law, University of 5/17/2024
Indiana University-Bloomington Maurer School of Law 11/17/2023
Loyola University-New Orleans College of Law 8/18/2023
Maine School of Law, University of 11/17/2023
Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, University of 11/8/2024
Massachusetts Law School, University of 11/17/2023
Miami School of Law, University of 8/18/2023
Mississippi College School of Law 8/18/2023
Missouri School of Law, University of 2/21/2025
Nebraska College of Law, University of 8/18/2023
New England Law | Boston 2/23/2024
Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center 8/18/2023
Pace University Elizabeth Aaub School of Law 2/21/2025
Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, University of the 8/18/2023
Pittsburgh School of Law, University of 8/18/2023
San Diego School of Law, University of 11/17/2023
Seattle University School of Law 2/23/2024
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law 8/16/2024
South Dakota School of Law, University of 8/18/2023
St. Mary’s University School of Law 8/18/2023
Suffolk University Law School 8/18/2023
Syracuse University College of Law 8/18/2023
Temple University, James E. Beasley School of Law 8/18/2023
Texas A&M University School of Law 8/18/2023
Thomas M. Cooley Law School 11/17/2023
Toledo College of Law, University of 11/17/2023
Tulsa College of Law, The University of 8/16/2024
Vanderbilt University Law School 8/16/2024
Washington University School of Law 2/23/2024
Wayne State University Law School 11/8/2024
Western New England University School of Law 11/17/2023
Widener University Delaware Law School 8/18/2023
Williamette University College of Law 2/21/2025
Wisconsin Law School, University of 11/17/2023
Yeshiva University Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law 11/17/2023

When a Variance is Not Needed

Many law schools are eager to incorporate JD-Next into their admissions processes, though implementation policies vary. Some institutions prioritize JD-Next scores, while others use them to complement traditional LSAT results. The following situations do not require an ABA variance:

  • For an applicant to submit a JD-Next test score as a supplement to an LSAT or GRE score

  • When a law school relies on ABA Interpretation 503-3 to admit applicants

  • When the JD-Next test is being used for purposes other than making admissions decisions

  • For a law school to use the JD-Next course and/or test to prepare applicants or determine admitted students' readiness for law school

  • For law schools that are not accredited by the ABA

Apply for a Variance

The process is simple and straightforward. To request a variance, complete the form here: 

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