MCAT vs LSAT: What’s the Difference?

The MCAT and LSAT are two different admission exams used in medical and law schools.

Passing these exams requires specific knowledge and skills, since you are now pursuing a specialization different from any undergraduate program. 

The MCAT and LSAT are used to determine whether or not you possess this specific knowledge and the right skills to succeed in these fields of career. 

This article will go through the different exam structures, exam fees, and other characteristics of the MCAT and LSAT. We will give a comprehensive comparison between these two. 

What is the MCAT?

The Medical College Admission Test or MCAT is a standardized and computerized admission exam suitable for those students who want to continue their studies for a higher medical degree program. 

Most medical schools  in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the Caribbean Islands highly recognize and trust the MCAT. It is also conducted by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). 

This exam aims to assess incoming medical students' knowledge and skills in the different branches of science, including physics, biology, chemistry, psychology, and sociology. 

It also assess the readiness of these incoming medical students to face the challenging subjects and medical topics encountered in medical school.

The test lasts for 7 hours and 30 minutes and should only be done in one sitting. All the test questions are in the multiple-choice exam format, and you are expected to answer around 230 test questions.

The four MCAT test sections are: 

What is the LSAT?

The Law School Admission Test or LSAT is a standardized examination designed for those individuals who want to enroll in law school. 

The LSAT is highly approved and recommended by the American Bar Association to be used as an admission exam for law schools in different countries. It is administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). 

The exam contains five test sections wherein the last section is an unscored variable section. 

These test sections are designed and highly focused on testing the test-taker abilities and skills, which will help the law schools determine if you are a fit and would be successful in handling the challenging courses in law school. 

In addition, the LSAT is a multiple-choice exam that is 3 hours and 30 minutes long. It has 102 test questions in all. 

The test questions are designed and focuses on topics about reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning questions. 

The LSAT is offered seven times a year and is a computer-based exam. It's primary purpose is to measure the applicant's readiness for law school. 

The five LSAT test sections are: 

MCAT vs. LSAT: What are the Similarities?

The MCAT and LSAT are standardized examinations used by well-known medical schools and law schools worldwide. 

These two exams are computer-based tests and use a multiple-choice type of test questions across their exam sections. These two exams are considered complex and challenging by their test-takers.

Furthermore, the MCAT and LSAT assess the skills, knowledge, logic, and critical thinking to determine the student's readiness to take up a higher level of education or specialization. For instance, in pursuing a medical degree or either taking up a law degree.

Exam Format and Structure: MCAT vs. LSAT

The MCAT and LSAT are different in terms of their exam format, duration, and structure. 

Given their vast differences, both of these exams are computer-based and use multiple-choice questions across their respective test sections. 

In terms of the number of scorable test sections, both MCAT and LSAT have four test sections. 

The MCAT has 230 test questions, while the LSAT only contains 99 to 192 test questions all in all. 

However, these two tests significantly differ in the topics and subjects that they assess. 

For instance, the LSAT intends to assess the test-taker's analytical skills, logical thinking, and reading comprehension. The MCAT mainly focuses on the abilities and knowledge of the test-taker about specific sciences, which are usually encountered in medical school. 

If we compare the duration of these two exams, the MCAT is much longer than the LSAT, which takes around 7 hours and 30 minutes. While the LSAT duration is only 3 hours and  30 minutes.

Scoring: MCAT vs. LSAT

The MCAT and LSAT have contrasting scoring systems used. 

The LSAT has an overall score range of 120 to 180 points. It has a percentile rank which indicates the ranking of your score in comparison to its previous test-takers. 

The scoring system used in the MCAT ranges from 118 to 132 points in each of its four test sections. All of the scores in each test section will be added to get the MCAT overall score which ranges from 472 to 528 points. 

This is the MCAT Percentile Rank from May 1, 2021, to April 30, 2022. 

The table below shows the MCAT overall scores with their corresponding percentile ranks. It serves as a guide for you to know the ranking of your MCAT score.

Below is the LSAT Percentile Rank, it helps you understand and know the standing of your LSAT score compared to the previous scores of its test-takers from three years ago. 

Most law schools check your percentile ranking to know how well you did on the test.

Test Requirements: MCAT vs. LSAT

Both the MCAT and LSAT registration is done online, where you need to create an account on their official website. However, you can also register for the LSAT by phone. They also do not have similar test requirements. 

For the LSAT, it’s recommended that you register one month before the prescheduled test date that you prefer and also to avoid late registration fees. 

You can take the exam in the comfort of your home which is very convenient for its test-takers so long as you met the testing and equipment requirements they require. 

While for the MCAT, you need to take it at their official testing centers. As for the test requirements, the LSAT requires its test-taker to comply with their equipment and testing requirements. 

Below is a comprehensive table showing the differences between MCAT and LSAT in their respective registration process and required documents.

Test Costs: MCAT vs. LSAT

In terms of payment methods, the LSAT and MCAT both only accept payment through major credit cards. The LSAT has the LSAC fee waiver intended for those individuals who are underprivileged but want to pursue a law degree. 

As for the costs, the MCAT fee is USD 325 making it more expensive than the LSAT, which only costs USD 200. 

Here’s a comprehensive table reflecting their cost differences and payment options.

Test Recognition: MCAT vs.  LSAT

Medical schools and other institutions worldwide highly recognize the MCAT. It is a trusted admission exam that is commonly used to assess the skills, abilities, and knowledge of incoming medical students if they met the standard requirement. 

It is also accepted in the following countries including the United States, Canada, Europe, Singapore, Australia, and other countries worldwide. 

Meanwhile, the LSAT is accepted and acknowledged in different countries worldwide including Canada, China, South Korea, India, Mexico, Nigeria Colombia, Jamaica, Russia, Pakistan, and Brazil. 

The LSAT is used by law schools to help them to measure the level of skills, logical reasoning, and knowledge of their applicants which are essential to be successful in pursuing a law degree. It is the only admission exam that is acknowledged by all ABA-accredited law schools located in the United States and Canada. 

Below are some law schools in Canada that require the LSAT.

Below are some law schools in the USA that require the LSAT.

Below are some law schools in India that require the LSAT. 

Below are some medical schools in Australia that require the MCAT. 

Below are some medical schools in Canada that require the MCAT. 

Below are some medical schools in the USA that require the MCAT. 

Which is Easier: MCAT vs. LSAT?

If we both compare the MCAT and LSAT on their difficulty level, then both of these tests are known to be very challenging and difficult on their own terms. 

Due to the exam length and the branches of sciences that the MCAT is based on, many of its test-takers find the MCAT very difficult and draining. It requires specific knowledge and critical thinking skills to correctly answer the exam. 

The LSAT is also considered a very difficult exam, as it is not the usual admission test compared to other exams used by universities and colleges. The LSAT is designed to assess its test-takers' logical thinking and readiness to tackle challenging topics in law school. 

Since the MCAT and LSAT are two different exams, we cannot fully give a comparison on which of the two exams are easier or more difficult.

Should You Take the MCAT or the LSAT?

These two exams are completely different exams in terms of their exam contents, structure, and objectives. If you intend to continue a medical degree, the best exam you should take is the MCAT. 

It is a highly recommended admission test used by various medical schools worldwide.It determines the test-taker's readiness and skills if they can sustain the rigorous medical courses usually encountered in medical school. 

If you are planning to enroll in law school, then you will need to take the LSAT. It is the admission test used by most law schools here and abroad to determine their applicant’s readiness to enter law school.

Summary Table of Differences: MCAT vs. LSAT

Below is the table of differences between the MCAT and LSAT.

Additional FAQs – MCAT vs. LSAT

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