About The Program
We believe that the more tools and data points, the better for students and schools.
For students, JD-Next improves readiness and confidence for law school for all student populations. In addition, the program is offered fully online and asynchronously, allowing students to complete the coursework at their own pace.
For law schools, JD-Next can be used as an alternative admissions pathway in addition to the existing legacy admissions exams already in use. Schools can utilize JD-Next exam scores to assist in selecting students from their waitlists. Schools can also use JD-Next to assist in identifying students who might need additional support early in their first year.
In addition, many schools have used the course as part of a bridge program to acclimate and increase students’ comfort level when starting law school. In two peer-reviewed studies, JD-Next was shown to boost law school grades.
Validity of the JD-Next Program
The ABA Council on Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar commissioned a report that determined that the JD-Next exam is a valid and reliable admissions test as required by Standard 503. The ABA Council is now gathering comments on that report. This is the process they followed for evaluating the GRE.
The American Bar Association’s Section on Legal Education recently voted to stay the course, asking law schools to request a simple variance to use the JD-Next entrance examination in lieu of the LSAT or GRE for use in admissions decisions.
While the report conducted by their expert concluded that JD-Next is a valid and reliable predictor of law school success, that report also suggests additional research, including data collection, should continue. We agree and are looking forward to collecting even more robust validity and reliability research findings as thousands of new students go through our program this year.
With over one quarter of all law schools now possessing the variance, and with surging student demand, we expect more law schools will want the option of using JD-Next.
The process is simple and straightforward. To request a variance, see the below section, “How to Apply for an ABA Variance”.
The submission deadline for the next ABA meeting is July 12, 2024.
The finding that the JD-Next exam is a valid and reliable predictor of early law school performance is consistent with five years of research with many dozens of schools and thousands of students, and the peer-reviewed, published studies that research produced.
JD-Next allows students to demonstrate their aptitude and their commitment for JD study, and in doing so it reduces or eliminates the bias acknowledged by the companies that provide legacy exams. The research shows that a student who completes our course prior to applying to your law school is a more educated and committed potential student than one who does not.
We welcome direct conversations and encourage you to speak directly to the Council about JD-Next.
The Science of JD-Next
JD-Next has been proven in multiple validity studies to be a strong predictor of student success in law school and can provide a significant increase in predictive power over base models.
In addition, our examination produces little to no score disparities for under-represented groups while also increasing students’ law school GPA by .20 points, regardless of whether they took the final examination.
Here are multiple studies and reports regarding these findings:
How to Apply for an ABA Variance
Presently, over 50 law schools have received a variance from the American Bar Association’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions Council to use the JD-Next law school entrance examination in lieu of, or in addition to other admissions tests including the LSAT and GRE.
Here is the full list of variance schools
Interested in applying for a variance? Please visit the ABA web site for details.
JD-Next for Undergraduate
For undergraduate colleges and universities, JD-Next can be used as a complement to an existing suite of services to attract and retain students with plans to pursue a law or other advanced degree. With JD-Next, your students will be better prepared for their graduate studies, increasing their chances of success in both school and their post-graduate careers.
The JD-Next program can also help to establish each institution’s reputation for academic excellence, attract more high-quality students, and strengthen partnerships with law schools.
For further information on implementing the JD-Next program on your campus, please contact Gregg Chalk at Gregg.Chalk@aspenpublishing.com.
The Story Behind JD-Next
Read More: Learn the story behind our revolutionary product transforming student outcomes. It all began with the insight that the prototypical law school student doesn’t exist. The goal: level the playing field so everyone has an equal chance to succeed in legal education.
JD-Next Advisory Board
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.