ABA Again Considers Dropping Law School Testing Requirement - Articles

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Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on May 9, 2022

The American Bar Association is once again considering dropping its requirement that law schools use a “valid and reliable test” in admissions decisions, Reuters reports. It previously considered the idea in 2018 but the proposal was pulled moments before a vote by the House of Delegates. Supporters of the testing requirement argue that eliminating it would disadvantage weaker students who would spend considerable time and money but then likely not succeed in the first year. Opponents argue that the cost of standardized tests and uneven access to preparation programs can create disparities across racial groups. The ABA’s Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar is slated to consider the proposal when it meets May 20. Any changes approved by the council would also need to be approved by the ABA House of Delegates.