JD-Next vs LSAT: acceptance, cost, scores and which to take
Every ABA-accredited law school accepts the LSAT. JD-Next is accepted instead of the LSAT only at schools with an ABA variance, which JD-Next puts at over 60 for 2025-26, about a third of schools. Take JD-Next on its own only if every school on your list accepts it; otherwise take the LSAT, and consider JD-Next as an addition.
From JD-Next’s and Aspen Publishing’s pages, the ABA’s variance notices, and university pre-law pages. LSAT fee from LSAC. Score data as reported by a prep provider from JD-Next’s 2025 ABA 509 data. Checked October 19, 2026. JD-Next is published by Aspen Publishing, a UWorld company.
JD-Next vs LSAT at a glance
| JD-Next | LSAT | |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted by | Schools with an ABA variance (60+ per JD-Next) | Every ABA-accredited school |
| What it is | 8-week online course plus a 4-hour exam | Standardized test |
| Cost | $399-$499, including the course and 3 score reports | $253 registration (LSAC) |
| What it tests | Contract law and case analysis taught in the course | Logical reasoning and reading comprehension |
| Scores | 400-1,000 with percentiles | 120-180 |
| When | About four sessions a year; 8 weeks plus the test window | Several test dates a year |
Rules that matter
- A variance is school by school. The ABA hasn’t given JD-Next the same standing as the LSAT and GRE, so a school needs its own variance to admit applicants on JD-Next alone.
- An LSAT score can’t be hidden. If you’ve taken the LSAT, schools see it and must report it to the ABA, so it’s likely to count for more than a JD-Next score.
- Having a variance isn’t the same as using it. Some schools treat JD-Next as a secondary measure; check each school’s admissions page.
- No variance is needed to send a JD-Next score alongside an LSAT or GRE score.
What scores admitted students have
| Group | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| All enrolling JD-Next students (middle half) | 750 | – | 820 |
| University of Arizona, fall 2025 | 770 | 790 | 840 |
| University of Dayton, fall 2025 | 770 | 790 | 800 |
As reported by a prep provider from JD-Next’s 2025 ABA 509 data. Schools report JD-Next score ranges only when 10 or more students enroll with JD-Next.
Few schools publish JD-Next ranges yet. Some give guidance instead: Gonzaga says a score at or above the 80th percentile is most competitive for JD-Next-only applicants, while Denver and Loyola New Orleans say they have no minimum, as reported by the same prep provider. Ask each school what it expects.
Schools without a variance
JD-Next’s school FAQ notes that law schools without a variance may still use ABA Interpretation 503-3 to admit applicants with only a JD-Next score, and that schools receive email notifications from Aspen Publishing when an applicant’s score is available. In practice, a school’s own admissions page tells you whether it will consider you on JD-Next alone.
Which to choose: JD-Next vs LSAT
- Take the LSAT if any school on your list doesn’t accept JD-Next, or if you’re aiming at the most selective schools.
- Consider JD-Next alone if every school you’re applying to accepts it and you’d rather show what you can do in a law course than on a timed test.
- Consider JD-Next as an extra if you want a head start on 1L skills; JD-Next says its course raises first-year grades by 0.20 on average.
Common questions
Can I take both?
Yes, but if you take the LSAT, schools will see that score as well.
Where's the list of schools?
The ABA keeps a public list of variance notices, and JD-Next and Aspen Publishing publish a list of variance schools. Confirm each school’s current policy on its own admissions page.
What JD-Next score do I need?
There’s no universal minimum. A prep provider citing JD-Next’s 2025 ABA data reports that half of enrolling JD-Next students scored 750 to 820, and that the University of Arizona’s fall 2025 JD-Next enrollees had a median of 790.
Does JD-Next help if I already have an LSAT score?
Not usually: an LSAT score you’ve taken is reported to the ABA and likely to carry more weight. Some applicants add JD-Next to show readiness for law school courses.
We first checked these sources on October 12, 2026 and rechecked them on October 19, 2026. MockTestPrep is independent and is not affiliated with JD-Next, Aspen Publishing, LSAC or the ABA.