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I took the LSAT in 2008 without much preparation and got a 171. However I can't apply until next cycle (2012) due to personal reasons. Should I retake? Would law schools look at a 4 year old LSAT score negatively? There's a chance that I can boost my score by 1 or 2 points if I study a little bit more this time, though it's equally likely I'll get a lower score.

I think you did REALLY WELL for a 4 year old.

KMaine wrote:I think you did REALLY WELL for a 4 year old.

LMAO

well played:)

They might require you to, so yes you probably should be prepared to retake.

Your score is valid for 5 years. BUT if you think that you can bump it up by even 1 or 2 pts, then certainly worth retaking.

Good luck!

op-ti wrote:Your score is valid for 5 years. BUT if you think that you can bump it up by even 1 or 2 pts, then certainly worth retaking.

This. Havent read anything about law schools not liking 4 year old tests.

Is it that you cannot apply now or that you cannot attend law school for another year ? If the latter, then apply now to your top choices &, if accepted, defer enrolling for a year. This gives you an opportunity to determine whether or not a retake is necessary to get into your top choice law schools.
P.S. I also think that this is a very impressive score for one of your age.

trudat15 wrote:

op-ti wrote:Your score is valid for 5 years. BUT if you think that you can bump it up by even 1 or 2 pts, then certainly worth retaking.

This. Havent read anything about law schools not liking 4 year old tests.

Most schools take 5-year-old scores, but Cornell's limit is 4 years. The web site specifies June 2007 or later for Fall 2011, so it should be June 2008 or later for Fall 2012.

Apply this year. I think it is five years.

Check with each school on your app list to verify that they'll still accept your score. Typically, the limit is 5 years- but I've heard of schools going to 4 and even 3 years.

I'd swear I read somewhere that U of Chicago only goes back 3 years, though that could have been outdated information. I can't even remember where I saw it, actually.

But yeah, it's probably a good idea to retake it. If you really didn't do that much preparation, it's possible that you could gain MORE than just 1 to 2 points. A 171 with limited prep (if you mean limited as in "2 PTs the week of the test," not as in "only a month and 10 PTs") indicates a strong aptitude and high potential for a 175+ if you put the effort into it.

I think you should apply and then try to defer.