Please Help!!! Retaking the LSAT & Addendum Predicament Forum

[Donashimen]

Hello everyone,

A brief summary of my situation, I took the LSAT in 2010 and did very poorly because of my ongoing battle with test (standardized) anxiety but mostly due to having bronchitis and taking it with a high fever while coughing profusely throughout the whole test. I eventually did re-take the LSATs in September 2014 and had a 14 point increase. However, I still did not do as well as I know I am capable of because of my very bad test anxiety. The reason I know for a fact that I can do better is because I have taken most of the approximately 72 LSATs prep-tests 3 to 5 times each and have consistently averaged at least a 168 on every test. So I know I am capable of increasing my score at least ten more points. The reason I am hesistent in taking the LSATs in December 2014 is because it will be my third time and I don't know how that would look. Also what if I don't get into any schools next year and then not having the option of retaking it next year because I had already taken it three times. ( sorry for rambling just very stressed)

Sadly because of working full time throughout college, doing ALOT of volunteering for my scholarship while in school, in addition to starting and running a very big fundraiser three of the four years of college, taking part in every play that was performed each semester and taking 18 to 20 Credits every semester, I was not able to get a stellar GPA and only got around 3.2. The only thing I have going in this department is that I was lucky enough to do well and land on the Deans list and because my Bachelor's was in Biology my classes were very difficult like Organic Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry,etc.

I don't know if an addendum would really help or not. I really like to explain and show them the full picture of how my life was in college and how thin I had spread myself with everything that I was doing; however, I also feel like addendum's can come across as whining and making excuses, which is definitely not something I would like to see if I were deciding the fate of our future lawyers.

I would REALLY appreciate any feedback and thoughts regarding the LSATs retake and the addendum problem I am facing.

Thank you so much!P

[HRomanus]

You should include an LSAT addendum with the 14 point increase, touching on the bronchitis rather than on the test anxiety. If you think you can increase your score by even one point you should retake this December. You should not include a GPA addendum.

[Donashimen]

Just wondering. I know with an LSAT lower than a 160 Berkeley wouldn't probably even look at my application, but with the GPA that I have does anybody think that I might have a chance if I bring my LSAT up? what score do you guys think?

[HRomanus]

I think Boalt (Berkeley) looks at LSAT history more than most other schools do, so your low scores would hurt you. Most schools, including most in the T14, just look at the highest score. Your GPA will always hold you back, though, and means you need to nail your LSAT to have a chance at a T14. The following graphs are from LawSchoolNumbers, a website where students self-report their scores and their admissions cycles. I input a GPA band of 3.2 to 3.3 and various LSAT ranges.

As you'll see, your GPA holds you back at the upper T14 even at the highest LSAT scores. Your GPA cannot be changed - or excused through an addendum - but getting a higher LSAT score will always help you. Getting a 173, for instance, gets you into several T14s with around a 1/3 tuition scholarship. For the moment, don't focus on the addenda (s/o to sfogs for the word choice) or your personal statement. Just study for the LSAT and get the highest score you can!

LSAT of 170-172:



LSAT of 173-175



LSAT of 176-178

[Donashimen]

Thank you SO MUCH!!!

[TLSanders]

I question your certainty about increasing your score so dramatically for a second time. You indicate that you have taken 200-350+ full length practice tests (though the vast majority of these are repetitions)

Assuming that you have, in fact, been preparing for the LSAT for over a year and have taken a full-length practice test at least every other day and have scored "consistently" on all of those practice tests (which seems extremely unlikely), you have to take into account that a prep test you had previously completed, even as individual questions or section practice, is worthless in terms of predictive value.

How many full length, timed practice tests have you taken in a single sitting over the past three of four months, which you had not seen before and on which you scored in the upper 160s or higher?

[Donashimen]

I question your certainty about increasing your score so dramatically for a second time. You indicate that you have taken 200-350+ full length practice tests (though the vast majority of these are repetitions)

Assuming that you have, in fact, been preparing for the LSAT for over a year and have taken a full-length practice test at least every other day and have scored "consistently" on all of those practice tests (which seems extremely unlikely), you have to take into account that a prep test you had previously completed, even as individual questions or section practice, is worthless in terms of predictive value.

How many full length, timed practice tests have you taken in a single sitting over the past three of four months, which you had not seen before and on which you scored in the upper 160s or higher?

Although I was very lucky to increase my score 14 points from the first time I took the LSAT to the second time, which was September 2014, I am really not sure how much more my actual score will increase if I do retake it again for the third time . But then again it might so i honestly don't know. Is it worth taking it again even if my score increases one to two points? Or what if it decrease?!

I also completely agree with your statement regarding the repetative prep-tests having no predictive value. That is actually one of the frustrating things that I am currently facing. Especially if i decide to go ahead with retaking the LSAT in December, I am left with no new prep-tests to take. Out of the 68 prep-tests (June 1991 to December 2012) that is offered I have taken each test approximately 3 to 5 times in the last two and half years. But as you had mentioned the scores (however high they might be) that I have gotten on these test are of no help to me right now. The only tests that I have recently taken that really helped in predicting my score are prep-tests 69-72. My score on these were only in the mid 60s though, except the June 2014 one that was in the low 60s. Maybe I won't be able to do any better in December then? Or maybe it is my anxiety that partially messes me up and gets in the way? I know even when I am just taking the prep-tests, that I do get really flustered and anxious. I am not trying to make any excuses I really like to get rid of this anxiety and test with a clear head for once. I honestly don't know what the right thing is for me to do at this point.
I REALLY appreciate your reply and help. Thank you so much!