Applications & LSAT Scores on the Rise: What 2025 Law Admissions Trends Mean for 2026

Law schools across the country reported a noticeable increase in application volume, with many institutions seeing gains in both quantity and quality. Among the most striking trends:

• Applications rose widely, with many schools reporting double-digit percentage increases. An 18% increase in applicants and a 22% increase in applications, according to data provided from the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), represents the highest volume of law school applicants in over a decade.
• LSAT scores edged upward, particularly in the 160–180 range, making it more difficult for candidates with strong test scores to stand out.

This spike in applications wasn’t entirely unexpected. There was a 25% year-over-year increase in August and September 2024 LSAT test takers, and LSAC reported a 25% increase in CAS accounts created between July 1 and September 30, 2024. But the overall volume still surprised many. 

We’ve seen this before: every few years national or global events drive renewed public interest in legal systems and institutions. We saw it after the 2016 election and again in 2021, following major civil rights protests and shifts on the U.S. Supreme Court.

The 2025 cycle aligned with another period of political volatility, marked by legal battles over artificial intelligence, immigration, free speech, and more.

For many, law school doesn’t just seem relevant, it feels like a true calling.

While the U.S. may not be in a recession, to many Americans, it feels like one. AI-driven job disruption, rising housing and grocery costs, the return of student loan payments, and an unpredictable job market have left many feeling vulnerable.

In uncertain times, law school offers structure, a clear path forward, and long-term career prospects. For those unsure of their next step, a JD provides both a professional reset and a sense of direction. The same trend followed the 2008 financial crisis, when many pursued graduate education hoping for a more stable, long-term job market.

In August 2024, the LSAT underwent a major format change: the removal of the Analytical Reasoning (AR) section, commonly referred to as “logic games.” Many test-takers viewed the logic games as the most difficult part of the exam, often spending a disproportionate amount of time preparing for it.

Not surprisingly, the increase in high scores has generated plenty of discussion among prospective applicants, law school admissions professionals, and pre-law advisors. Some argue that removing a polarizing section of the test led to an uptick in scores at the top end. Others point out that a higher number of test takers often brings higher scorers into the pool, simply due to volume.

According to analysis by LSAC, score patterns among repeat LSAT takers were consistent regardless of whether logic games were included. This suggests that removing the logic games section did not make the test easier, as there were no notable score increases for those who initially took the LSAT with logic games and later without it.

In other words, there’s no definitive evidence that removing logic games inflated scores, but the shift likely intersected with several other trends: increased preparation time and wider access to prep tools (including LSAC’s free LawHub^® resources), policy changes that led to an increase in testing accommodation requests and approvals, and a more qualified applicant pool overall.

For 2026 applicants, a high LSAT score will no longer differentiate them in a pool of applicants. And for admissions professionals, it presents a new challenge: identifying standout candidates in a landscape where high scores are increasingly common.

The current cultural and economic landscape has led many Gen Zers and younger professionals to rethink their path. Law school appeals to those seeking work with meaning, structure, and long-term impact. In a time when career options can feel unpredictable, the JD continues to stand out as a solid investment with reliable and fruitful career options.

The trends from 2025 have set a new tone. Here’s what prospective applicants should keep in mind:

Political engagement and economic instability are unlikely to fade quickly. Absent a major shift, application volume will likely remain high. Strong GPAs, LSAT scores, thoughtful personal statements, and polished résumés will all be essential.

Law schools are paying close attention to maturity, motivation, and long-term commitment. Gap years, jobs, service, and leadership roles can be real assets—especially when clearly connected to a legal path.

In an era of AI-assisted writing and near-perfect formatting, authenticity stands out. Admissions readers want to hear your voice, understand your motivations, and see a personal connection to the law. Generic narratives won’t cut it. Focus on what drives you, where you hope to make an impact, and why law school now.

The 2025 admissions cycle confirmed what many suspected: legal education remains a compelling option in uncertain times. Applicants arrived prepared, focused, and increasingly well-qualified, leaving admissions offices with tough choices and many deserving candidates still waiting their turn.

As we move into the 2026 cycle, aspiring law students should be prepared for similar challenges. But rather than being discouraged, see it as a call to action. Law schools aren’t just looking for top scores, they’re looking for the next generation of advocates, leaders, and change-makers.

In a season of rising applications and test scores, the best applications don’t just show what you’ve done, they show who you are and what drives you.

• Navigating the New LSAT: A Q&A with LSAT Prep Instructor Erin Decker '16
• Do’s and Don’ts of the Law School Application Process
  
• LSAC’s free LawHub® resources
• LSAT Prep Events
• UB School of Law: Visit, Events & Virtual Engagement