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AA Male
3.2
164(2nd take)

I'm curious if it's worth retaking during the Dec administration or should I just proceed with my applications as is. It would be my 3rd take(consecutive takes) so would that have any bearing on how my application is perceived? Any advice/input is greatly appreciated.

Unless you are prep testing at like a 170+ then it's not worth it. With your GPA the way it is you'd have to get a score in that range to be admitted to schools that would put you in a significantly better position than you're in now (HYS). Right now you'll get into good top 14s but probably not Columbia, Chicago, Boalt or HYS. Anywhere else you have a good shot. If you are cool with NYC jobs you have a good chance at NYU and Penn as is--which is good enough. The only thing is the money issue. A 168 or so might do you better there but that's such a slim margin from where you are that I wouldn't put myself through the extra stress if you aren't preptesting in 170s. Good luck.

First off, I'm honored that Batman himself replied to my post.
I was preptesting in the 168-172 range under timed conditions so I do believe I am more than capable of hitting those numbers but as you said the extra stress/studying with retaking in December is probably not worth the cost. I agree that my GPA probably precludes me from acceptances at some of the higher tiered school but NYU and UPenn are some of my top choices.
Would a 3rd take be viewed negatively by admission officers?
Would it make sense to pay for a tutor/structured course to improve my score since all I've been doing so far is self study.

JamaicanSaiyan8 wrote:First off, I'm honored that Batman himself replied to my post.
I was preptesting in the 168-172 range under timed conditions so I do believe I am more than capable of hitting those numbers but as you said the extra stress/studying with retaking in December is probably not worth the cost. I agree that my GPA probably precludes me from acceptances at some of the higher tiered school but NYU and UPenn are some of my top choices.
Would a 3rd take be viewed negatively by admission officers?
Would it make sense to pay for a tutor/structured course to improve my score since all I've been doing so far is self study.

Huh? Dude if you're hitting 170+ in PTs, retake. If anything it'll probably up your scholly money. Don't sell yourself short.

Yes that's what I figured as well. It really hurts to have wasted a perfect LG score on the Sept admin of the test. I'm leaning towards taking but I was really just concerned about the perception of 3 takes.

If you're prepping in the 168-172 range I would go very hard on nothing but timed preptests under test like conditions (i.e. not in your bedroom). I might even consider the tutor. You just need that little push to get you over the edge to where you can replicate that performance in test conditions. A score in that range will make a notable difference on either the school you get into or the money you get (maybe both).

Thanks a lot for you advice and I will take the December lsat because there is a lot more to gain than lose.