A variance is permission that the American Bar Association (ABA) gives to an ABA-accredited law school to use the JD-Next final exam instead of LSAT and GRE scores to make admissions decisions.
The ABA Council on Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar commissioned a report that concluded that the JD-Next exam is a valid and reliable admissions test as required by ABA Standard 503.
Why Apply for a Variance?
We believe the more tools and data points available to admissions offices, the better for applicants as well as law schools.
JD-Next promotes equity by improving readiness and confidence for law school for ALL law school candidates, including those from historically underrepresented groups.
When Does a Law School Need a Variance?
In general, a law school needs a variance when it is accredited by the ABA and wishes to accept applicants who have submitted to the law school only a JD-Next score. A variance is NOT required in the following circumstances:
For an applicant to be able to submit a JD-Next final exam score in addition to an LSAT or GRE score. Â Â
When the JD-Next exam is being used for a purpose other than making an admissions decision.Â
For a law school to use the JD-Next course and/or JD-Next final exam to prepare applicants for law school or to determine admitted students’ readiness for law school.Â
When a law school is not accredited by the ABA.Â
Course Dates
Course Start Date
Exam Dates
Score Release Date
May 6, 2024
July 9 or July 13, 2024
August 5, 2024
June 3, 2024
July 30 or August 3, 2024
August 23, 2024
October 7, 2024
December 4 or December 7 2024
January 6, 2025
December 2, 2024
January 28 or February 1, 2025
February 21, 2025
May 5, 2025
July 8 or July 12, 2025
August 1, 2025
June 2, 2025
August 5 or August 9, 2025
August 23, 2025
October 6, 2025
December 4 or December 6, 2025
January 5, 2026
December 2, 2025
January 27 or January 31, 2026
February 20, 2025
Best Practices Once You Receive a Variance (FAQ)
How should your law school use JD-Next?Â
Your law school can decide to accept JD-Next as a standalone pathway to admissions, or as a supplement to other admissions information.It also can use JD-Next scores to take applicants off of waitlists.Furthermore, JD-Next can be used to provide applicants and admitted students with a preview of law school as well as to better prepare them (and enrolled students) for law school.
If a student took the LSAT/GRE? Can they still apply using JD-Next?Â
Yes, they can.
Should you make scholarship decisions the same way for JD-Next applicants as you do for LSAT/GRE ones?Â
That is up to the law school, yet it should be noted that participation in the JD-Next course has been scientifically shown to improve law school academic performance across racial and ethnic groups, and the JD-Next final exam is a strong predictor of law school academic performance across racial and ethnic groups. Â In addition, the JD-Next final exam has been shown to have smaller, if any, score gaps between majority and minority groups. Â
What’s the last JD-Next course I can take to be considered for admission?Â
That’s an individual school question.  It depends on when your application window closes.  Please refer to the testing dates at the JD-Next website.  Scores will be available to law schools about 3-4 weeks after those test dates.
How does your law school receive scores?Â
Email notification that new scores are available to download.
Are JD-Next candidates viewed differently? Â
They should not be.
Why JD-Next over another test?Â
Please add about the score gap being smaller, how it is not just another test – it's also preview and prep. And that participation in the course is shown to improve law school academic performance.
Are there limited spots in the incoming class for JD-Next users?Â
No.
How do law schools figure out what a competitive score is for their institution?Â
Schools decide what a competitive score is for their own admissions practices. Â Candidates should reach out to the admissions offices of law schools to which they want to apply.
Aspen Publishing has gathered together a group of skilled professionals with diverse backgrounds and extensive expertise to offer guidance and support for the JD-Next Program. This carefully selected team brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, ensuring that the program benefits from a comprehensive range of perspectives and insights. Their collective efforts are aimed at enhancing the success and effectiveness of the JD-Next Program.