The Law Society is considering the introduction of an aptitude test for entry onto the Legal Practice Course (LPC) in an effort to reduce the numbers of students taking the course.

The society has appointed a consultant to investigate the viability of such a test, in one of a number of initiatives discussed at its monthly board meeting last week (8 September).

The proposal is part of an attempt to regulate entry to the profession due to an increasing disparity between the number of LPC graduates and the number of available training contracts.

Other initiatives discussed included offering incentives to law firms to provide training contracts, as well as offering prospective students a comprehensive overview of the profession before beginning the application process.

The proposals have been initiated by the Law Society's education and training committee at the request of chief executive Des Hudson.

The Bar Standards Board is currently piloting a similar approach for entry onto the new Bar Practice Training Course (BPTC). The new test is likely to be introduced as an entry requirement for the BPTC for students applying to start the course in September 2011.

The consultant's report on whether a similar initiative would be suitable for the solicitors' profession is expected to be compiled for the Law Society by the end of the year. It is hoped a pilot will be launched in the autumn of 2011.

Hudson commented: "There are serious issues to be considered in the current arrangements – many aspiring solicitors may be ill-served by the status quo and considering possible reforms is a proper thing for the society to do. Implementation of any such or similar test would be a matter for the Solicitors Regulation Authority."