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Is it ever smart to take the LSAT a 4th time?
Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 1:18 am
by Real Madrid
I've already taken the LSAT 3 times with a high of 168 (one of the three was a cancel). I've thought about taking a 4th time to get up to a few school's medians, but I'm worried that either it looks bad to take a 4th time or that I could do slightly worse if I retake.
Are there any T14s where this could help? Which ones would it hurt at? And how much would I need to improve for it to be worth it?
Re: Is it ever smart to take the LSAT a 4th time?
Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 9:32 am
by SilverE2
I took the LSAT 4 times, with one cancel, like you. I went up 1 point, and it neither hurt nor helped me in my cycle. I thought I could raise my score substantially, and it goes without saying I would only recommend it if you're pretty sure you will be able to raise your score. Here are the three possible outcomes, with analysis (note, all of the below is my opinion, but it's the pattern of thought I used when I was deciding for or against a 4th time retake):
1. Your score stays the same: I don't think this would make ANY difference in your cycle. A school isn't going to look down on you for giving it one last try.
2. Your score goes up: You profit.
3. Your score goes down a few points: You can write an addendum, but once again, I don't think there's any shame in trying to maximize your chances, and I'm sure schools will understand this. Thankfully with the LSAT rules that were instated a few years ago, schools will still be able to take your highest score. I don't have anything to back my opinion up, but I really think it would make little to no difference in your cycle.
4. Your score goes down a bunch of points: Well, hopefully you realized during the exam that you hadn't done too hot, and canceled it. But if not, that's what addenda are for. Write an addendum and move on. I doubt it will hurt you.
The bottom line is this: because schools are allowed to only report your highest lsat score, and very very few schools average, the risk is relatively low versus a potentially high reward. For someone who is fairly certain that they can score better on the LSAT, I would tell them to go for it every single time.
Re: Is it ever smart to take the LSAT a 4th time?
Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 12:10 am
by Maryam19
Is the fourth time your taking the test two years after the first time you took it? Or are you getting a school to sponsor you retaking it a fourth time?
Re: Is it ever smart to take the LSAT a 4th time?
Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 2:45 am
by Real Madrid
SilverE2 wrote:I took the LSAT 4 times, with one cancel, like you. I went up 1 point, and it neither hurt nor helped me in my cycle. I thought I could raise my score substantially, and it goes without saying I would only recommend it if you're pretty sure you will be able to raise your score. Here are the three possible outcomes, with analysis (note, all of the below is my opinion, but it's the pattern of thought I used when I was deciding for or against a 4th time retake):
1. Your score stays the same: I don't think this would make ANY difference in your cycle. A school isn't going to look down on you for giving it one last try.
2. Your score goes up: You profit.
3. Your score goes down a few points: You can write an addendum, but once again, I don't think there's any shame in trying to maximize your chances, and I'm sure schools will understand this. Thankfully with the LSAT rules that were instated a few years ago, schools will still be able to take your highest score. I don't have anything to back my opinion up, but I really think it would make little to no difference in your cycle.
4. Your score goes down a bunch of points: Well, hopefully you realized during the exam that you hadn't done too hot, and canceled it. But if not, that's what addenda are for. Write an addendum and move on. I doubt it will hurt you.
The bottom line is this: because schools are allowed to only report your highest lsat score, and very very few schools average, the risk is relatively low versus a potentially high reward. For someone who is fairly certain that they can score better on the LSAT, I would tell them to go for it every single time.
Thanks for your response! I'm definitely going to see if I can get back in the LSAT groove and figure out if I could feasibly score in the 170s.
Has anyone else had experience with this or advice for my situation?
Re: Is it ever smart to take the LSAT a 4th time?
Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 2:45 am
by Real Madrid
Maryam19 wrote:Is the fourth time your taking the test two years after the first time you took it? Or are you getting a school to sponsor you retaking it a fourth time?
I'd be asking a school to sponsor me.
Re: Is it ever smart to take the LSAT a 4th time?
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2011 10:02 pm
by Real Madrid
Bump for more advice.
Re: Is it ever smart to take the LSAT a 4th time?
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2011 10:19 pm
by Verity
It is all the nice.
Re: Is it ever smart to take the LSAT a 4th time?
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2011 10:34 pm
by etlien
Yes. Took it four times, no cancel. Law school admissions is really a numbers game, the school (bar HYS, maybe CCN) doesn't really care how many times you took it as long as its shiny...
Re: Is it ever smart to take the LSAT a 4th time?
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2011 10:51 pm
by scammedhard
Real Madrid wrote:Maryam19 wrote:Is the fourth time your taking the test two years after the first time you took it? Or are you getting a school to sponsor you retaking it a fourth time?
I'd be asking a school to sponsor me.
I thought that LSAC recently took away that privilege from law schools (see quote and link). But please let us know if LSAC will allow you to take the LSAT a 4th time; this is uncharted territory.
We have a change in the policy related to applicants who wish to take the LSAT more than three times in two years. Applicants may not take the LSAT more than three times in any two-year period. This policy applies even if the applicant cancels their score or if the score is not otherwise reported. LSAC reserves the right to cancel the applicant’s registration, rescind their admission ticket, or take any other steps necessary to enforce this policy. Previously, candidates could request a waiver of this policy from law schools. That no longer will be possible. Instead, in exceptional circumstances only, candidates can ask LSAC directly for a waiver of this policy.
http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/a-chang ... ears-rule/