LSAC GPA: 3.82
Took the Oct. '08 LSAT. Score = 158.
Summer '09: Retook PowerScore class, PT tests in 162-165 range.
Took Sept. '09 LSAT. Score = 154 (same score as my diagnostic... devastated)

Have applied for the 2009-10 cycle, and have gone complete at almost all schools so far. I've taken a year off to apply/work FT, and I'm committed to attending law school in the fall (i.e. I don't want to take another year to study, prepare, etc.)

BUT, I know that the 154 in Sept. was not my best. I'm strongly considering a retake in Feb. With my applications already complete... is it worth the risk, stress, craziness? Do I have to report to schools that I am retaking? Esp. if I don't necessarily want them to hold on a decision pending the Feb. score?

I think even a 4 pt. increase to a 162 could work in my favor in terms of waitlists, etc.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you!

I feel like if you're going to take a it a third time you should really go for more than a four point increase. It's already going to work against you that you took it three times, so I would study my ass off and show them that there was a reason you took if for the third time. In other words, show them that you can get a 90th percentile score.

I took it three times too. The first time I retook I only increased three points, and then the second time I increased 9. So I definitely think it's possible for you to do much better than your previous two tests. Good luck if you go for it.

Great point. Obviously a 9 point-ish increase would be ideal. But I'm hoping anything above a 160 could be positive too. I'm just hoping its not too late in the cycle to retake?

Thanks for the response :)

Before giving advice, I have a question: do you know WHY you scored so far below your PT's on the actual test, twice?

Don't sign up for a third test without knowing what went wrong the first two times!

I don't see any risk in it. If I were in your situation I'd probably sacrifice for 2 months and retake. I don't think schools have to hold their decision pending your Feb score, but it may be to your advantage to ask for it at your reaches.

Why so much lower? I would chalk it up to logic games... and a sick combination of anxiety/over-confidence. I thought during the real tests that adrenaline would kick in, and I would magically understand LG the day of... Obviously not the case.

If I do re-take, I will def consider a LG tutor. My raw score in Reading Comp. was consistently 20+ but my LG was usually between 12 and 14.

In that case (and with all due respect!) I think you're approaching the problem backwards. The question isn't whether you should take the exam in February. The question is: how long will it take you to achieve good performance on logic games?

Put a plan together that will prep you to kill LSAT logic games with speed and accuracy. Use a tutor, a class, strategy books, timed practice runs, a study group, prayer... whatever works for you! Once you have a plan, and a schedule for accomplishing the plan, then you'll know whether you can finish by February, or whether you need to wait for June.

But one way or another, fix the problem before you take that third test!

I think that is a really good approach... Have been approaching the lsat (and retake) backwards... def hadn't thought of it that way

Thx again for the responses!! Good luck on your cycles!

What schools are you applying to?

If schools hear that your'e taking the LSAt again, they'll most likely hold your apps. til they receive the Feb score. And by that time, you're going to have even less of a chance than you previously did.

I took three times as well... 5 pt jump the last time. I think the most important thing is evaluating yourself impartially. Take some PTs under extremely strict timing restrictions... even space out your diet and coffee drinking habits to replicate what you'll be able to do on test day. If you're testing over 163 I would say go for it, but you know better than any of us whether you can beat the test or not.

Its a question that you really need to answer for yourself. Why do you think you did so much lower than what you usually did? Did a specific section throw you off for some reason? Did LG just kick your butt (like it usually does mine)? Whatever you think the reason is, find it, and work on primarily that until test time.

I just got done taking it for the third time on the 5th. My highest practice test was 163, with my average being a 160. I was pretty confident I could pick up 1 or 2 additional points in the actual test. I got a 155 in June. I retook in September. I was certain I had done better... at least at first when I walked out of the testing room. Then I started thinking about it. Scores came in... and I got... a 155. After thinking over it for a few days, I knew what my problem was. I was moving too slowly. When I sat down on my own, not thinking about time, I did fairly well. I averaged a 22/23 on RC, a 20 on LR, and unfortunately about a 14 on LG. Between when the Sept scores came out until Dec. 3, I worked very hard at moving quicker. I walked in with the requirement that I give myself the opportunity to read each and every question. That if I guessed on a question, it would be because I read it, and really could not decide on a final answer. I achieved that goal. In fact, on the 2 LR sections I had about a minute, minute and a half at the end of the section that I was just sitting there. Which, doesn't sound like that much time, but a minute to rest between sections, makes a ton of difference on your mental capacity... at least for me it did.

Regardless of my test score, I can accurately say, that whatever it ends up being, that's pretty close to the best that I can do, because I gave myself the opportunity to answer each and every question. That's the reason I took it a third time, my first 2 tries just was NOT an accurate depiction of what I could do.

Either way, it really doesn't matter, because I can only take it 3 times in a 2 year period, which I've now filled... so whatever my score is, those are the scores I have to deal with while applying.

I'm applying to Fordham (PT), Brooklyn, Temple, Villanova, GW (PT), and a few others in that range/couple of safeties... I know I'm a weak/consider at most of them, but I'm hoping my GPA and w/e can help me pull it off :)

Strongly considering the Feb. retake, but not sure about the impact on my apps?? (i.e some schools will put a hold on a decision or once a decision is issued its final)

p.s. does anyone know what's up with the non-disclosed February lsat?? Are the questions any different/is there any strategy to taking the February test?

thanks!!

im in.

hoping this helps me get off some waitlists.

how are you guys prepping? can we make a google group? Another poster mentioned that they did this for dec--they established a pt schedule and then (from what I understand), they all took the same pt on the same day and then dissected all the questions together. this seems super helpful. If there are people on board, I will make the google group.

PM me if you're in.