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JD-Next and Equal Opportunity: Opening Doors in Legal Education
Learn how JD-Next fosters opportunity in legal education with skill-based testing, and proven success in boosting law school performance.
JD-Next is committed to creating a level playing field within legal education. By partnering with the legal education community and organizations that share this mission, JD-Next provides an accessible, skill-based alternative to traditional standardized tests, ensuring that all students — regardless of background — have a fair opportunity to succeed in law school and beyond.
Partnership with the Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO)
JD-Next proudly collaborates with CLEO, an organization dedicated to expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups in the legal profession. This partnership aims to:
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Provide students access to JD-Next’s innovative curriculum.
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Host workshops and webinars to help students prepare for law school.
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Support first-generation and underrepresented students with academic tools and mentorship.
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For over 5 decades, CLEO has helped diverse law school candidates navigate their academic journeys, supporting students from pre-law through bar passage with targeted resources.
Endorsement from the California Association of Black Lawyers (CABL)
The California Association of Black Lawyers (CABL), a leading advocate for Black lawyers and law students, endorses JD-Next for its commitment to equitable legal education.
Why CABL Supports JD-Next:
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The program aligns with CABL’s mission of preparing students for academic and professional success.
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The JD-Next assessment demonstrates little racial and socioeconomic disparity in law school admissions.
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JD-Next: A Proven Pathway to Success
JD-Next offers a unique combination of a preparatory course and an admissions test that directly measure skills relevant to law school success. Unlike standardized tests that focus on general aptitude, JD-Next assesses students’ ability to analyze legal cases — an essential law school skill.
How JD-Next Promotes Equitable Access
Minimizes Score Disparities:
Unlike traditional standardized tests, JD-Next produces little to no racial or ethnic score gaps.
Law School Performance:
Studies show that students who participated in JD-Next had, on average, a GPA that was 0.2 points higher in their 1L year than students who did not participate.
Valid and Reliable Admissions Tool:
JD-Next’s admissions test, modeled after law school assessments, is associated with future academic success.
Affordable and Accessible:
With a cost-effective online format, JD-Next provides a realistic preview of law school while providing students from diverse backgrounds with greater opportunities.
Why Access Matters in Legal Education
A diverse legal profession ensures that legal professionals reflect and understand the communities they serve. JD-Next helps bridge systemic gaps in legal education by:
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Preparing students with the essential skills needed for law school.
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Partnering with opportunity -focused organizations to create a level playing field..
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Providing scholarships and outreach programs to support students.
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A Future of Inclusive Legal Education
JD-Next is more than just an admissions test — it is a program designed to equip students with the skills necessary to succeed in law school. By minimizing score disparities, fostering academic preparedness, and promoting equitable admissions, JD-Next plays a crucial role in reshaping the legal education landscape for the better.
For more information on JD-Next and its partnerships, visit Aspen Publishing - JD-Next.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Unlike traditional admissions tests, JD-Next teaches and assesses skills directly relevant to law school success. Its admissions test mirrors a law school assessment rather than a generalized aptitude test.
JD-Next includes a targeted skill-building course, offers scholarships, and includes academic preparation resources designed to support first-generation and minority law students.
Currently, over 55 ABA-accredited law schools have a variance to accept JD-Next scores, with additional schools requesting a variance throughout the year. Often, schools that require LSAT or GRE scores for admissions also consider JD-Next scores as a supplement to applications.
Yes. Many students take both JD-Next and the LSAT to strengthen their law school applications. JD-Next offers a hands-on preview of law school coursework, making it an excellent preparatory tool for your law school journey.