Is retaking worth it? Forum

[wrestlme431]

I'm just interested in some qualitative feedback.

I'm sitting on a 169/3.21 and have done decent for this cycle. Pretty much par for the course for a splitter.

I've only taken the LSAT once and I'm wondering if a retake is worth it. I've checked MyLSN and played around with the numbers, but it seems to me that there's not that much of a difference between a 169 and 171/172/173... Pretty much everything I've read on here emphasizes the importance of every little point on the LSAT. Is that just speculation.

I realize the data on MyLSN is from a very limited pool of applicants and the results are unpredictable for splitters. Any thoughts on the matter are appreciated.

[haus]

Keep in mind that we are likely coming of a low in the recent number of applicants. A point or two can turn out to be a significant difference.

I would suggest reading this blog post by Mr. Spivey on this topic.

http://blog.spiveyconsulting.com/mistak ... at-advice/

[Biglaw1990]

PM'd

[Clearly]

Did you apply nice and early? You're in a tricky spot as a splitter, we're not known for getting much money anyway, so if you're happy with your admits (should be NU at least, UVA hopefully, M prob, gulc def, etc) you might not actually end up with too much more even with an elite lsat score. If you're not looking at MVP or at least NU I would retake or not go. If there's any other reason to sit out (like you applied late, or with a rushed app etc) I'd def do it. Tell us what you're results have actually been and I'll give you a better opinion.

[wrestlme431]

Did you apply nice and early? You're in a tricky spot as a splitter, we're not known for getting much money anyway, so if you're happy with your admits (should be NU at least, UVA hopefully, M prob, gulc def, etc) you might not actually end up with too much more even with an elite lsat score. If you're not looking at MVP or at least NU I would retake or not go. If there's any other reason to sit out (like you applied late, or with a rushed app etc) I'd def do it. Tell us what you're results have actually been and I'll give you a better opinion.

Waiting on NU.
Rejected at Penn, UVA.
WL at Mich, Cornell, UCLA.
In at GTown, no scholarship yet.
Vandy w/ 75k
WUSTL w/ 120k
I applied in mid-December. Admittedly, it should have earlier, but I feel like that's not terribly late.

Ugh, the fact that you just told me to consider not going with a 169 is severely depressing.

[Clearly]

Did you apply nice and early? You're in a tricky spot as a splitter, we're not known for getting much money anyway, so if you're happy with your admits (should be NU at least, UVA hopefully, M prob, gulc def, etc) you might not actually end up with too much more even with an elite lsat score. If you're not looking at MVP or at least NU I would retake or not go. If there's any other reason to sit out (like you applied late, or with a rushed app etc) I'd def do it. Tell us what you're results have actually been and I'll give you a better opinion.

Waiting on NU.
Rejected at Penn, UVA.
WL at Mich, Cornell, UCLA.
In at GTown, no scholarship yet.
Vandy w/ 75k
WUSTL w/ 120k
I applied in mid-December. Admittedly, it should have earlier, but I feel like that's not terribly late.

Ugh, the fact that you just told me to consider not going with a 169 is severely depressing.

Of the bunch I'd prob wustl before I gulced. A 169 is a solid score honestly, but it's only AT most t14 medians and your gpa isn't gonna carry you. Gonna have to help out 169 schools with 170+. Although it's not statistically relevant, the higher you are above median the more you can rebut the presumption of your gpa being representative of your ability. The other thing to discuss is career goals...If you're biglaw or bust you need to retake, if you're rich then whatever, and if you don't want biglaw and aren't rich, well I'd like to hear the plan from there haha

[pittsburghpirates]

I've only taken the LSAT once and I'm wondering if a retake is worth it. I've checked MyLSN and played around with the numbers, but it seems to me that there's not that much of a difference between a 169 and 171/172/173... Pretty much everything I've read on here emphasizes the importance of every little point on the LSAT.

Mind sharing where you were PTing? Think that could also be relevant here.

I agree that December isn't terribly late, but I also think you would benefit immensely from an early (like Day 1 early) application.

Are you signed up for the June LSAT? Retaking and snagging a few extra points could help you to sneak off the waitlist potentially as well.

I am a splitter too and I retook and was very happy that I did. Happy to share any advice through PM.

[Lexaholik]

I've only taken the LSAT once and I'm wondering if a retake is worth it. I've checked MyLSN and played around with the numbers, but it seems to me that there's not that much of a difference between a 169 and 171/172/173... Pretty much everything I've read on here emphasizes the importance of every little point on the LSAT.

Mind sharing where you were PTing? Think that could also be relevant here.

I agree that December isn't terribly late, but I also think you would benefit immensely from an early (like Day 1 early) application.

Are you signed up for the June LSAT? Retaking and snagging a few extra points could help you to sneak off the waitlist potentially as well.

I am a splitter too and I retook and was very happy that I did. Happy to share any advice through PM.

If you're happy with GULC or Vandy, then don't retake. Pay your deposit and don't look behind you. If you want Cornell/Michigan/NU/UCLA then yes--retaking is an absolute no brainer. You're not going to be hurt by a lower score, but maybe you'll get lucky and get a 170+. That's a freeroll if I've ever seen one, and will help especially at the schools where the LSAT 75th percentile is 169+ (e.g. NU/Michigan).

NU in particular will have a lot of movement towards the summer. I actually don't think applying late will hurt you that much--as a splitter/borderline candidate most movement will occur off the waitlist after initial deposit deadlines have passed. Snagging a spot on the WL is actually good news--as long as you can hang on to the end. Submitting a higher LSAT is just about the best thing you can do for your chances.

[edditb]

I retook a 169 with a bit higher gpa and it completely changed my cycle, so, yes it can be worth it. Happy to answer questions via pm.

[wrestlme431]

Did you apply nice and early? You're in a tricky spot as a splitter, we're not known for getting much money anyway, so if you're happy with your admits (should be NU at least, UVA hopefully, M prob, gulc def, etc) you might not actually end up with too much more even with an elite lsat score. If you're not looking at MVP or at least NU I would retake or not go. If there's any other reason to sit out (like you applied late, or with a rushed app etc) I'd def do it. Tell us what you're results have actually been and I'll give you a better opinion.

Waiting on NU.
Rejected at Penn, UVA.
WL at Mich, Cornell, UCLA.
In at GTown, no scholarship yet.
Vandy w/ 75k
WUSTL w/ 120k
I applied in mid-December. Admittedly, it should have earlier, but I feel like that's not terribly late.

Ugh, the fact that you just told me to consider not going with a 169 is severely depressing.

Of the bunch I'd prob wustl before I gulced.

GULC is probably gonna be sticker, so that's out. Which sucks because my goal in DC Big Law. Between WUSTL and Vandy, I'm generally leaning towards Vandy. St. Louis has little to no appeal to me. They just lost the Rams.

[Clearly]

This is the first I've seen your goals, sadly if you want dc biglaw you absolutely must retake. Sit the cycle out and bust it till you're 173+. MVP is about as low as I'd go to have a solid chance, excepting gulc with lower debt to offset the higher chance of failure.

[Nagster5]

Yeah, a retake at 173+ would probably get you in at Virginia, Mich, UCLA, maybe Penn, definitely a full ride at WUSTL and maybe Vandy. If you felt you left points on the table, either from mistakes or lack of prep, I would retake. I think UVA is a very achievable goal and if you're really gunning for DC it's your best bet. Start saving though, monetary love is scarce at UVA, less than half of admits get money.

[wrestlme431]

Yeah, a retake at 173+ would probably get you in at Virginia, Mich, UCLA, maybe Penn, definitely a full ride at WUSTL and maybe Vandy. If you felt you left points on the table, either from mistakes or lack of prep, I would retake. I think UVA is a very achievable goal and if you're really gunning for DC it's your best bet. Start saving though, monetary love is scarce at UVA, less than half of admits get money.

The privilege of paying sticker at UVA is not something that sounds appealing to me, even if I do want DC Biglaw. Is UVA is more generous with schollys if you're a VA resident? I know it's advantageous for getting accepted. Georgetown and their stinginess absolutely kill me, because I'd probably go if they offered me something relatively substantial.

My score is definitely not the result of a lack of prep. Which actually leads me to a concern about retaking. I took pretty much every single available PT from 2008 - 2015. I don't think I would have any fresh PTs to work on except December 2015. Is reusing PTs advised, I've heard there is still value in it but your score is somewhat tainted.

[Nagster5]

Yeah, a retake at 173+ would probably get you in at Virginia, Mich, UCLA, maybe Penn, definitely a full ride at WUSTL and maybe Vandy. If you felt you left points on the table, either from mistakes or lack of prep, I would retake. I think UVA is a very achievable goal and if you're really gunning for DC it's your best bet. Start saving though, monetary love is scarce at UVA, less than half of admits get money.

The privilege of paying sticker at UVA is not something that sounds appealing to me, even if I do want DC Biglaw. Is UVA is more generous with schollys if you're a VA resident? I know it's advantageous for getting accepted. Georgetown and their stinginess absolutely kill me, because I'd probably go if they offered me something relatively substantial.

My score is definitely not the result of a lack of prep. Which actually leads me to a concern about retaking. I took pretty much every single available PT from 2008 - 2015. I don't think I would have any fresh PTs to work on except December 2015. Is reusing PTs advised, I've heard there is still value in it but your score is somewhat tainted.

Well if you are really sure you didn't leave points on the table there's really no point in waiting a year.

Having said that, there is absolutely value to retaking the same tests, I think a lot personally. I tutor LSAT a lot, and what you find hen you take/teach a lot of tests is that it is very formulaic. A lot of people break through walls on RC/LR when this clicks, and they start to see that there are really only ~8 questions on either section throughout all the tests, just with different wording. The most important factor besides innate ability and effort in one of my students' scores is how many full, timed tests they've taken. New tests are better, but not by as much as you would think, especially if you're months removed from the first take.

Not sure if UVA is better financially for instaters (besides that great 3k discount )

BTW, to your original question about LSAT points counting beyond a certain point, I have a sub 3 GPA and a full ride + 45k stipend at WUSTL. It matters.