Top Law Schools

I don't really feel that good about today's LSAT, and I'm thinking about canceling. I guessed/skimmed on one of the RC passages which never happens to me normally. I finished all LG this section and I think that section was overall fine, along with LR (but I still guessed on some of them).

I am in the midst of finals and I'm really conflicted as to whether I should just see how I did or if I should just cancel and retake in February.

Thoughts?

Retaking in February and still applying this cycle? There probably won't be many available seats at that point.

CorkBoard wrote:I don't really feel that good about today's LSAT, and I'm thinking about canceling. I guessed/skimmed on one of the RC passages which never happens to me normally. I finished all LG this section and I think that section was overall fine, along with LR (but I still guessed on some of them).

I am in the midst of finals and I'm really conflicted as to whether I should just see how I did or if I should just cancel and retake in February.

Thoughts?

I say, don't cancel. If you cancel, you won't know how well you did. If you did well, great! If not, then retake. Most schools take the top score anyways. It doesn't sound like you bombed it!

stephinmd wrote:

CorkBoard wrote:I don't really feel that good about today's LSAT, and I'm thinking about canceling. I guessed/skimmed on one of the RC passages which never happens to me normally. I finished all LG this section and I think that section was overall fine, along with LR (but I still guessed on some of them).

I am in the midst of finals and I'm really conflicted as to whether I should just see how I did or if I should just cancel and retake in February.

Thoughts?

I say, don't cancel. If you cancel, you won't know how well you did. If you did well, great! If not, then retake. Most schools take the top score anyways. It doesn't sound like you bombed it!

After thinking about it for a bit I think this might be the best route to take...if I have to retake in June and apply the next cycle it's not the end of the world.

If not going next fall is fine with you, if you think it would significantly increase your chances of getting into a program you want, then you should retake it. Think of how you think you did vs. where you want to go, since 2013 is an option.

Similar problem as you. My issue is that I don't think I did better than I did in October. And my score in October wasn't that bad...does that mean cancel? Is scoring worse the second time a really bad thing on apps?

Considering the same; first time taking the test, so not sure how much is due to nerves. Is it better to keep a score, submit my applications and hope for the best? Scores aren't released until January 3rd, and waiting would put me in the bottom of the pile, anyway. If I'm not accepted, retake and score higher, I can re-apply, right?

RCinDNA wrote:Considering the same; first time taking the test, so not sure how much is due to nerves. Is it better to keep a score, submit my applications and hope for the best? Scores aren't released until January 3rd, and waiting would put me in the bottom of the pile, anyway. If I'm not accepted, retake and score higher, I can re-apply, right?

Yeah. I might do this too. We can always retake in June and be in a better position if we score better. I don't think I'm canceling. I've still got a chance to score higher if this score isn't high and I don't think I'll be quite as nervous the second time around.

adc18 wrote:If not going next fall is fine with you, if you think it would significantly increase your chances of getting into a program you want, then you should retake it. Think of how you think you did vs. where you want to go, since 2013 is an option.

Similar problem as you. My issue is that I don't think I did better than I did in October. And my score in October wasn't that bad...does that mean cancel? Is scoring worse the second time a really bad thing on apps?

I am wondering of I can maximize my chances if I put it on hold and end up doing a lot better. I was pretty upset about it after I took the test but I know I have the capability to score well. I was PTing in the 165 range recently. Timing killed me on the real thing.

cinephile wrote:Retaking in February and still applying this cycle? There probably won't be many available seats at that point.

That's what I'm thinking too.

CorkBoard wrote:

RCinDNA wrote:Considering the same; first time taking the test, so not sure how much is due to nerves. Is it better to keep a score, submit my applications and hope for the best? Scores aren't released until January 3rd, and waiting would put me in the bottom of the pile, anyway. If I'm not accepted, retake and score higher, I can re-apply, right?

Yeah. I might do this too. We can always retake in June and be in a better position if we score better. I don't think I'm canceling. I've still got a chance to score higher if this score isn't high and I don't think I'll be quite as nervous the second time around.

Do you think there are any advantages to retaking it in February versus June? Maybe there is a better curve or historically less schizo test sections.

RCinDNA wrote:

CorkBoard wrote:

RCinDNA wrote:Considering the same; first time taking the test, so not sure how much is due to nerves. Is it better to keep a score, submit my applications and hope for the best? Scores aren't released until January 3rd, and waiting would put me in the bottom of the pile, anyway. If I'm not accepted, retake and score higher, I can re-apply, right?

Yeah. I might do this too. We can always retake in June and be in a better position if we score better. I don't think I'm canceling. I've still got a chance to score higher if this score isn't high and I don't think I'll be quite as nervous the second time around.

Do you think there are any advantages to retaking it in February versus June? Maybe there is a better curve or historically less schizo test sections.

No, I don't, now that I think about it. I think June is a better idea, because then if the score is high enough then it can put you within the ballpark of ED if you really want to go to a particular school. I am jumping the gun here of course but I would like to keep my options open--they're more limited with a February retake and applying this cycle.

Sorry if I wasn't more clear; I meant taking it in February to apply for the next cycle. I've heard that certain tests are known for being a bit more forgiving than others; not sure about the truth of that statement, though.

RCinDNA wrote:Sorry if I wasn't more clear; I meant taking it in February to apply for the next cycle. I've heard that certain tests are known for being a bit more forgiving than others; not sure about the truth of that statement, though.

Historically, December = "easy curve"
While June = "hard curve"

I definitely read that somewhere. I wonder if it has something to do with the fact that June peeps are on top of their game, while December largely consists of procrastinators and retakers?

.

Cinderella Applicant wrote: I definitely read that somewhere. I wonder if it has something to do with the fact that June peeps are on top of their game, while December largely consists of procrastinators and retakers?

I do think this is the case. However, the difficulty in terms of attaining a particular score should be the same for both months as the lenience in curve is accompanied by an increase in difficulty of the test.

A large portion of the statistics that LSAC uses requires that the data be approximately normally distributed. I believe LSAC makes the December test more lenient in order to distinguish test takers from each other. So even though the test isn't any easier, a more widely distributed curve would do a better job of distinguishing test takers (especially those at the top) from each other. Hence, such a distribution would do a better job of satisfying the assumption that the data be approximately normally distributed.

June (Mean = 151.68, SD = 10.51). Approximate result: A 170 is the 95.9th percentile, ~4.1% of June test takers score a 170+.
December (Mean = 150.11, SD = 9.92). Approximate result: A 170 is the 97.8th percentile, ~2.2% of December test takers score a 170+.*
*I used data from 2009-2010 for calculations

ETA:
All of this is pure conjecture.


Also, OP, if you plan on applying this cycle, the February LSAT is too late into the cycle to give you a viable shot. I would recommend not canceling since maybe you did better than expected. If you did not, I would recommend waiting until next cycle. Most schools take the highest, where Yale/Stanford are probably the only exception.

KevinP wrote:

Cinderella Applicant wrote: I definitely read that somewhere. I wonder if it has something to do with the fact that June peeps are on top of their game, while December largely consists of procrastinators and retakers?

I do think this is the case. However, the difficulty in terms of attaining a particular score should be the same for both months as the lenience in curve is accompanied by an increase in difficulty of the test.

A large portion of the statistics that LSAC uses requires that the data be approximately normally distributed. I believe LSAC makes the December test more lenient in order to distinguish test takers from each other. So even though the test isn't any easier, a more widely distributed curve would do a better job of distinguishing test takers (especially those at the top) from each other. Hence, such a distribution would do a better job of satisfying the assumption that the data be approximately normally distributed.

June (Mean = 151.68, SD = 10.51). Approximate result: A 170 is the 95.9th percentile, ~4.1% of June test takers score a 170+.
December (Mean = 150.11, SD = 9.92). Approximate result: A 170 is the 97.8th percentile, ~2.2% of December test takers score a 170+.*
*I used data from 2009-2010 for calculations

ETA:
All of this is pure conjecture.


Also, OP, if you plan on applying this cycle, the February LSAT is too late into the cycle to give you a viable shot. I would recommend not canceling since maybe you did better than expected. If you did not, I would recommend waiting until next cycle. Most schools take the highest, where Yale/Stanford are probably the only exception.

I just realized I messed up a key rule on the last LG, so that section's up in the air now too. I guess I'll keep it and destroy it next June. Hopefully I won't feel so nervous and worried now that I've already had a taste of the real thing.

Cinderella Applicant wrote:

RCinDNA wrote:Sorry if I wasn't more clear; I meant taking it in February to apply for the next cycle. I've heard that certain tests are known for being a bit more forgiving than others; not sure about the truth of that statement, though.

Historically, December = "easy curve"
While June = "hard curve"

I definitely read that somewhere. I wonder if it has something to do with the fact that June peeps are on top of their game, while December largely consists of procrastinators and retakers?

If you paid more attention in your math class, you should know that statistics generates probabilities, which has very little to do with individual scores, nevermind, your picture is cinderalla man, so enough said

Yeah, I've heard this too...I've got to weigh my options though. If I can perform significantly better then I'll take it. I just didn't feel good with my timing this test, and I didn't think it was too difficult other than the RC.

I just retook from Oct, when i got killed in RC, like i have never missed so many ever ever ever. I basically only studied RC for over a month and went into Dec feeling SUPER CONFIDENT, felt great about all 4 sections, and then i get to RC last and it literally killed me. I'm considering canceling too. I didn't get to an entire passage and felt panicked about it the whole way and probably messed up on the other three.... Just saying, you never know what June's gonna be like.. June's curve has always been harder and something might just go really wrong like it did for me

tropicanax wrote:

Yeah, I've heard this too...I've got to weigh my options though. If I can perform significantly better then I'll take it. I just didn't feel good with my timing this test, and I didn't think it was too difficult other than the RC.

I just retook from Oct, when i got killed in RC, like i have never missed so many ever ever ever. I basically only studied RC for over a month and went into Dec feeling SUPER CONFIDENT, felt great about all 4 sections, and then i get to RC last and it literally killed me. I'm considering canceling too. I didn't get to an entire passage and felt panicked about it the whole way and probably messed up on the other three.... Just saying, you never know what June's gonna be like.. June's curve has always been harder and something might just go really wrong like it did for me

You're right about not knowing what June's gonna be like, but if I can start to raise my PT score up to the high 160s (I sat around a 161-165 before this test) then I think it'll be okay. At least I know what to expect for the most part now. And I also don't want to go into June after this December and cancel if I cancel now, and then have canceled twice and then be fucked with only be allowed to take the test once more.

I think I'm gonna ride it out even though I'm pretty sure I scored in the 150s. Improvement is always possible, and I will have all my app material in by this time next year, hopefully getting acceptances and saving myself for somewhere I really want to go to.

CorkBoard wrote:

tropicanax wrote:

Yeah, I've heard this too...I've got to weigh my options though. If I can perform significantly better then I'll take it. I just didn't feel good with my timing this test, and I didn't think it was too difficult other than the RC.

I just retook from Oct, when i got killed in RC, like i have never missed so many ever ever ever. I basically only studied RC for over a month and went into Dec feeling SUPER CONFIDENT, felt great about all 4 sections, and then i get to RC last and it literally killed me. I'm considering canceling too. I didn't get to an entire passage and felt panicked about it the whole way and probably messed up on the other three.... Just saying, you never know what June's gonna be like.. June's curve has always been harder and something might just go really wrong like it did for me

You're right about not knowing what June's gonna be like, but if I can start to raise my PT score up to the high 160s (I sat around a 161-165 before this test) then I think it'll be okay. At least I know what to expect for the most part now. And I also don't want to go into June after this December and cancel if I cancel now, and then have canceled twice and then be fucked with only be allowed to take the test once more.

i was the same, and did get into high 160s before december... but BAM. RC on crack... what are you gona do.... =/ yea don't cancel just see how it goes.

tropicanax wrote:

CorkBoard wrote:

tropicanax wrote:

Yeah, I've heard this too...I've got to weigh my options though. If I can perform significantly better then I'll take it. I just didn't feel good with my timing this test, and I didn't think it was too difficult other than the RC.

I just retook from Oct, when i got killed in RC, like i have never missed so many ever ever ever. I basically only studied RC for over a month and went into Dec feeling SUPER CONFIDENT, felt great about all 4 sections, and then i get to RC last and it literally killed me. I'm considering canceling too. I didn't get to an entire passage and felt panicked about it the whole way and probably messed up on the other three.... Just saying, you never know what June's gonna be like.. June's curve has always been harder and something might just go really wrong like it did for me

You're right about not knowing what June's gonna be like, but if I can start to raise my PT score up to the high 160s (I sat around a 161-165 before this test) then I think it'll be okay. At least I know what to expect for the most part now. And I also don't want to go into June after this December and cancel if I cancel now, and then have canceled twice and then be fucked with only be allowed to take the test once more.

i was the same, and did get into high 160s before december... but BAM. RC on crack... what are you gona do.... =/ yea don't cancel just see how it goes.

This is torturous. Seeing as how the majority of schools take the highest score I think I should be in a good position in a few months to knock the whole thing down and hopefully not feel as terrible as I do now about my performance. RC was initially my strongest section in the LSAT, actually. I can easily perfect LG and narrow down my LR to -0, 1 or 2 by June, I think.