169 = Retake?

[moneybagsphd]

I need to plan for the possibility that LSAC rejects my petition, denying me that one merciful point that will bring my LSAT into the 170s. Because if I get a 170, I see no point in retaking (the waiting period for LSAT scores to be released won't exactly be making the highlight reel of my life, if you catch my drift). My study regimen for the LSAT was unfocused. I put enough time in, but I didn't capitalize on that time. I only took 5 PTs. I chose not to score my cold diagnostic, but the rest were in the 170s with a strong upward trend. I slept like a baby the night before the test, but a cocktail of caffeine and adrenaline had me shaking... Bottom line: If I put more quality time into studying, I'm sure I could do better. The emotional investment is what's putting me off.

I won't be applying until next year, so time is not an issue.

Relevant details: Affluent white male / 3.75-3.8 / 169 / Bad Softs.
Reach: NYU, U Penn, Columbia, Chicago, Berkeley
Target: Duke, University of Virginia, Cornell, Michigan
I would also be OK with UCLA or USC

[noleknight16]

You will prob get into 1 or 2 of your 4 targets, IMO (if apps went in today).

If you're equally fine with each of the 5 targets, then no need to retake except for potential scholarship money.

It does sound like you left a lot of points on the table though. It's really up to you. My personal opinion is to retake. I say take as many PT as possible waking up at 6:00AM, taking the test at 8AM under exact time conditions with an experimental from an older PT. You seem to understand the concepts enough. Now it's just getting used to the format, seeing trends, attacking weaknesses on specific types of LR or LG, etc.

Good luck.