For JD/MBA candidates: which test should you take first?

[BestGMATEliza]

I knew early on that I wanted to do a JD/MBA program. That meant that I had to take BOTH the LSAT and the GMAT and I had to do a lot of research before even taking the tests, just to figure out which one I wanted to take first. At first I thought that I would take the GMAT first and warm up to the LSAT, because of the two sections that overlap on the tests (Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning) the GMAT is supposed to be easier. I ultimately decided this was not a good idea, since I was aiming to get a top score on both tests. Since the GMAT is computer adaptive, you need to be able to correctly answer the most difficult questions, if you want a high score, so taking the LSAT, which is much more difficult, prepares you for that exactly. Furthermore, there is a danger to getting used to taking easier questions and then having to take more difficult questions. It might hurt you when you are trying to take the LSAT.

After completing both tests with a 174 on my LSAT and a 770 on the GMAT, I think that taking the LSAT first was definitely the best way to go. The LSAT prepares you to ace the GMAT Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning questions without even having to study. Wheres the GMAT would have just partially prepared you for the LSAT questions of the same type and you would have had to study a lot more in order to get a good score.

That strategy worked for me, but what do other people think? Which test should you take first?

Kind Regards,

[David@VeritasPrep]

LSAT first.

That way you only really have to study for the Quant and for the Sentence Correction in order to do well on the GMAT.

Also, in many ways the LSAT is a tougher test (I know the GMAT is pretty tough, too.) So getting that one out of the way is probably the way to go. The LSAT is offered fewer times per year. So if you take the exam in June and do not get your score you have to wait until October to take it again!

Well, you could probably take the GMAT within that time frame (again since you have studied for CR and RC leaving less work on the GMAT) rather than just waiting 4 months for your next shot at the LSAT.

Nice question! I hope you get even lots of responses.