Day before test day and I just scored a 155.. I'm so lost

[cneu333]

I've been consistently scoring a 159~162 these past two weeks and it took quite a while to get up to this score range from my first diagnosis score, which was 141. I'm in Asia so test day is tomorrow, and I'm registered for it, but now I don't know whether I should withdraw my registration. I have a 150 on my record from December last year and I'm afraid if I take the test tomorrow and get somewhere in the 150s again, I'm going to really not have a chance at any of the top ranking schools anymore. If I consistently scored low on all sections, it would've been easier for me to think that I hit my limit and 155~160 is the best I could do, but the fact that I got -1 on a number of LR and LG sections gives me the hope that I have the potential to score a lot higher, in the 170s. If I do really well on some sections and get only 1~3 wrong on each of them, the other sections go cuckoo and bring down my score. I want to go to a T-14 but with my current score range, I probably don't have the chance, also considering the fact that I have a 150 on record. I have a 3.89 GPA from a liberal arts college and I feel like getting a score in 150s is a waste, but at the same time I don't know if it'd be possible for me to score higher in December, and if not, whether I should postpone application again until next year..

I'm torn between just taking the LSAT and applying to lower ranking schools, or wait until December, aiming for a 175+ and a top ranking school. One other option is to take the LSAT, see how the score is, and apply if it's not too bad, and retake on December if it's too low. But then again, I'm worried that the record of another low score would pull down my chances even if I get a decent score on December. I've been studying for a pretty long time on and off, and I'm now 23 years old with not much job experience other than part time jobs, some office work, teaching English to Korean students, and a short internship.. No eye-opening extracurricular/volunteer activities either. For the past 5 months, I haven't been working at all (not even part time), so if I decide to withdraw tomorrow's LSAT and sit in for December LSAT, I'm also not sure whether I should go look for some job to put on my resume while studying for the LSAT.. Financially, I have some savings from previous jobs and I'd be okay not working for another 2 months, but I'm worried that 7 months of no work or activity will look very bad on my application. Sorry about so much rambling but I'm lost and I don't know what's the best choice for me at this point. Any advice would be really appreciated.

[6lehderjets]

Relax and go to bed.

[ManoftheHour]

Relax and go to bed.

And then retake December. It's not the end of the world. Cop that 160+, then go from there.

[cneu333]

So you mean it's better to withdraw from tomorrow's test and retake December? Or did you mean do the test tomorrow, and if it doesn't turn out well, retake December?

Relax and go to bed.

And then retake December. It's not the end of the world. Cop that 160+, then go from there.

[Ti Malice]

I would skip the test if I were you. There's no point in wasting one of your three shots in two years if you're scoring that far off from your goal. I believe it's too late for you to withdraw, so just take an absence.

[Crowing]

I would skip the test if I were you. There's no point in wasting one of your three shots in two years if you're scoring that far off from your goal. I believe it's too late for you to withdraw, so just take an absence.

This was my thought as well. You are clearly far off from your target, so there's no sense in wasting a take. Skip the test and make a more long-term plan imo.

[J-e-L-L-o]

I would skip the test if I were you. There's no point in wasting one of your three shots in two years if you're scoring that far off from your goal. I believe it's too late for you to withdraw, so just take an absence.

This was my thought as well. You are clearly far off from your target, so there's no sense in wasting a take. Skip the test and make a more long-term plan imo.

I agree

[soyeonjeon]

Hi, in the same shoes except I'm older. sent you a pm.

[Lumieres]

If your PT range is 159-162, you'll most likely get lower on the actual test.

[action90]

I've been consistently scoring a 159~162 these past two weeks and it took quite a while to get up to this score range from my first diagnosis score, which was 141. I'm in Asia so test day is tomorrow, and I'm registered for it, but now I don't know whether I should withdraw my registration. I have a 150 on my record from December last year and I'm afraid if I take the test tomorrow and get somewhere in the 150s again, I'm going to really not have a chance at any of the top ranking schools anymore. If I consistently scored low on all sections, it would've been easier for me to think that I hit my limit and 155~160 is the best I could do, but the fact that I got -1 on a number of LR and LG sections gives me the hope that I have the potential to score a lot higher, in the 170s. If I do really well on some sections and get only 1~3 wrong on each of them, the other sections go cuckoo and bring down my score. I want to go to a T-14 but with my current score range, I probably don't have the chance, also considering the fact that I have a 150 on record. I have a 3.89 GPA from a liberal arts college and I feel like getting a score in 150s is a waste, but at the same time I don't know if it'd be possible for me to score higher in December, and if not, whether I should postpone application again until next year..

I'm torn between just taking the LSAT and applying to lower ranking schools, or wait until December, aiming for a 175+ and a top ranking school. One other option is to take the LSAT, see how the score is, and apply if it's not too bad, and retake on December if it's too low. But then again, I'm worried that the record of another low score would pull down my chances even if I get a decent score on December. I've been studying for a pretty long time on and off, and I'm now 23 years old with not much job experience other than part time jobs, some office work, teaching English to Korean students, and a short internship.. No eye-opening extracurricular/volunteer activities either. For the past 5 months, I haven't been working at all (not even part time), so if I decide to withdraw tomorrow's LSAT and sit in for December LSAT, I'm also not sure whether I should go look for some job to put on my resume while studying for the LSAT.. Financially, I have some savings from previous jobs and I'd be okay not working for another 2 months, but I'm worried that 7 months of no work or activity will look very bad on my application. Sorry about so much rambling but I'm lost and I don't know what's the best choice for me at this point. Any advice would be really appreciated.

In my opinion, it really doesnt make a lot of sense to take a test when you're already scoring very far away from your target. You're better off identifying your weaknesses and taking the test when your closer to scoring your actual goals.