How JD-Next Aligns with Law School Learning Objectives

Law school admissions have long relied on standardized tests like the LSAT. JD-Next presents a new and different solution by aligning with core law school learning objectives. It does so by simulating the structure and demands of a first-year law course, equipping students with essential skills such as case analysis, legal reasoning, and argument construction. 

This tailored preparation gives incoming students the practical competencies needed to excel from day one and provides faculty with a cohort ready to meet the academic rigors of legal education.

A Reliable Measure of Success

JD-Next’s final exam isn’t just another test; it’s a close approximation of the assessments students will face in their first year. This means students can demonstrate their ability to read cases, apply legal principles, and construct well-reasoned arguments — core competencies that are essential for law school.

What sets JD-Next apart is its proven validity. The JD-Next final examination produces little to no score disparities for under-represented groups while also increasing students' law school GPA by an average of 0.20 points.

Studies have shown that JD-Next scores correlate strongly with first-year GPAs. JD-Next provides a demonstrated and reliable gauge of future performance. Law schools can trust these results as a meaningful indicator of which applicants are truly prepared.

Enhancing Access and Opportunity

One of JD-Next’s most groundbreaking features is its ability to level the playing field. 

JD-Next focuses on core legal skills rather than strategies that can be influenced by external factors like expensive test preparation. As the California Association of Black Lawyers has argued, the JD-Next test stands out as a valid and reliable admissions metric that significantly reduces score disparities while maintaining academic standards. 

Moreover, data from the American Bar Association highlights the urgent need to increase diversity in law schools — currently, Black students make up just 8.3% of those in ABA-accredited programs despite being 13.4% of the U.S. population. 

By minimizing disparities, JD-Next offers a more level playing field and a more inclusive path to legal education. For faculty, it represents an opportunity to admit a broader range of talented students who might otherwise be overlooked, enriching both classrooms and the profession as a whole.

Preparing Students for Academic Rigor

Unlike other professions, no specific training is required ahead of law school.  This can leave many students feeling unprepared for what to expect when they start their legal education. JD-Next takes an innovative approach to law school preparation, teaching the foundational skills required in legal education equips incoming students with the essential building blocks of legal analysis.

Through an 8-week online 1L-style course, students learn and refine critical skills such as case reading and legal reasoning, receiving frequent feedback to solidify their understanding. This structured preparation doesn’t just introduce students to legal concepts — it ensures students are confident and ready to excel. 

In fact, participation in JD-Next has been associated with measurable academic benefits: Using a randomized experiment with a national sample, researchers found that participants achieved higher first-semester grades in a core course, Contracts Law, and improved their overall GPA compared to non-participants.

Beyond academic outcomes, JD-Next empowers students with confidence. Recent Survey data reveal that 91% of participants report feeling prepared for law school after completing the program. By addressing foundational skills before matriculation, JD-Next ensures students can confidently engage with their first-year curriculum, allowing students to focus on complex legal discussions starting the first day.

Helps Students Master 1L 

JD-Next delivers cutting-edge features to help students get ahead in 1L before law school even begins:

• Video-Based Learning: Students gain access to visually engaging instructional videos. These videos are tailored to simplify complex topics, ensuring accessibility for all learners while maintaining academic rigor.

• Law School-Style Final Exam: The program culminates in a comprehensive final test, modeled after law school exams. This test evaluates students on their ability to apply knowledge and skills, emphasizing performance rather than prior preparation.

• Case Briefing:  Learn how to brief legal cases by developing critical reading, analytical thinking, and structured writing skills. Students learn to extract key elements—facts, issues, rules, reasoning, and holdings—helping them understand judicial decisions, apply legal principles, and build persuasive arguments.

Guidance on ABA Variances

JD-Next’s validity and reliability have earned recognition from the American Bar Association. ABA accredited law schools can request a variance to use JD-Next scores in place of the LSAT or GRE, affirming its legitimacy as a standalone admissions metric. However, variances aren’t always necessary. Law schools can use JD-Next scores alongside other tests or as a measure of readiness without seeking ABA approval. Non-ABA-accredited schools face no such restrictions, making JD-Next a flexible option for various institutions.

This flexibility means that schools can integrate JD-Next into their admissions strategy in a way that best suits their program’s goals.

 A Path Toward More Equitable Admissions

As legal education evolves, it’s important to create opportunities for a wider range of students. JD-Next helps by focusing on the skills that matter, giving more students a fair chance to succeed. When schools use JD-Next in admissions, they can build a more diverse class without lowering academic standards. The result is a stronger, more inclusive legal community that benefits everyone.