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Scored a 161 on Feb. 09 and a 170 on Oct. 10.

I did have a death in the family the week of my Feb test, but hate to blame my score on that. For my top choices, I will simply call the admissions office, but generally is it necessary to include an addendum explaining the lower score?? GPA is 3.9 if that makes any difference.

some schools require 6pt or greater increase to have addendum
Don't remember which ones though. Upenn?

^bump

You have a legitimate reason. Write an addendum.

How did you study between the first and second test? I'm trying to raise my 160 to 164 in December.

Mine is similar, 166 to 174. No reason for 166 other than "I bombed and scored way below my PTs on the June test". Any hints on how I can present it persuasively? I really bombed on the games in June, managing to misdiagram TWO games without realizing it (and getting, blissfully unaware - or I would've canceled - 10 questions wrong on the games section). Nerves, a sleepless night, too much caffeine, pressure (aargh! pressure!!!) to do well.. My October test I just said f-ck it, I can't change my June score, so I'll just take it easy and see what comes. I scored almost exactly the average of my PT's.

What do people usually say in these situations? "My extenuating circumstances is that I don't do too well under pressure.. nonchalance/not giving a fuck (what term would look better on an application?) works better for me, and for best results I intend to coast through law school and the rest of my life"?

EricBerry wrote:How did you study between the first and second test? I'm trying to raise my 160 to 164 in December.

For me, more of the same. I did all of the games (on all 60 PTs), plus most of the RC and LR sections. Practice makes perfect, though after a while you'll reach your natural ceiling. The average increase in score, for retakers, is only 2.2-2.3 points or so, I've read. So retake only if 160 is quite a bit below your practice tests.

JJDancer wrote:some schools require 6pt or greater increase to have addendum
Don't remember which ones though. Upenn?

Davis requires one for 5pt or greater increase. I don't know of any others off the top of my head.

For all these jumps where it moves you from T2 to T14 territory, I'd write one. Death in the family is totally legitimate. Nerves is seriously fine - taking the time to tell them, "hey I prepared for the first one, but I just got stressed out." Especially since 174 puts you in that top tier of scores. I'd remember that these deans are not only human, they're HR people, so they're roughly sympathetic to this shit. Just don't blame it on anyone else and it's cool.