HELP! Should I retake the LSAT? (167 current score) Forum

[PRINCESSBARA]

Hi all! I would really appreciate your opinion on my situation.

I just took the July LSAT-FLEX and scored 167. This is my highest score so far as my previous PB (in practice) was 166. However, I did not feel good about the exam on the test day and thought that I could have done better. I definitely did not expect this score. I couldn't focus properly and I didn't recall a single question (from LR) right after the test. I thought I bombed the RC section as I wasn't able to immerse myself in the passages and absorb the information. On the other hand, I aced the LG section with 6 spare minutes to go during which I was able to even redo some of the Qs and double check my answers.

Factors I am considering:

I have a full time job (tax accountant at EY) so I don't have that much time for studying.

The 167 is my PB, however, I can't shake the feeling that I can do better.

My dream schools are Harvard, Columbia, Stanford, and Berkeley, but I would be happy to go to other school in California (where I would like to live afterwards - specifically in LA). I understand that my score is probably not good enough for any of my dream schools, but might be sufficient for schools like USC or even UCLA.

I am an international applicant and receiving financial support is very important to me.

Even though law schools take the highest LSAT score, they would see all of my other scores as well, and, if my second score is worse by 3 points or more than the current one, I would have to add an addendum and explain the variance. If this were to happen, I am afraid it would negatively affect the strength of the current 167 for the schools for which this score is a median or even above median.

If I am to retake the test, I believe that my best chance is to take another LSAT-FLEX as my strength is LG. Even though the October test might not be FLEX, if any exam in the near future is this format it would be the October one (for international test takers). Taking the October LSAT would also mean that I don't have to start studying from 0 as I just finished studying for the July test not long ago.

The schools I would like to apply to are: Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Berkeley, Duke, NYU, Cornell, UCLA, USC, Notre Dame, George Washington, UC - Irvine. Location is quite important to me and I would prefer to study in NY or CA, but I do love Notre Dame as well.

My undergraduate GPA is 3.97 (from Flagler College where I was a student-athlete) and I also have a Master's degree from Notre Dame with a GPA of 3.98. I am a CPA and I have worked for EY for nearly 4 years now - 1 year in Los Angeles and 3 years in London (and previously interned in Nashville). I am intrigued by Sports/Entertainment Law but think I would also be good at Business law.

Please let me know your suggestions!

[nixy]

I can’t address the rest, but if you do worse on a retake it won’t affect the strength of your 167. Schools only have to report the highest LSAT score to USNWR for rankings purposes, so that’s the only score they care about. (You also wouldn’t have to write an addendum unless a specific application asked for one.)

[LandCrabLaw]

I am typically on the pro-retake no matter what because it can only help side, but in your situation I probably wouldn't for two main reasons.
1) You scored higher than your highest PT.
2) You don't have time to dedicate to raising your score.

Considering you scored you highest ever, it's not like you left points on the table. So taking it again just to take another bite of the apple probably won't get you a higher score. The only way I think you can justify retaking is if through your continued studying you raised your PT average to above 167. But you already said how working full time isn't conducive to growth at this level. You got extremely lucky to get your personal best on the real thing and for that reason, I'm out.

[PRINCESSBARA]

Thank you! I will try to improve on my PTs and see if it's worth taking again!

[B90]

Are you applying for Fall 2021?
The margin of error for LSAT scores is 3 points. Generally, people score better in practice than on the real thing, so even scoring the same is good. Scoring a point above your personal best is excellent.
The truth is, most people have some sort of "issue" or reason to second guess themselves. My advice is always if you have the time, practice until you consistently score ABOVE your goal score. That said, you do have to stop at some point and trust that you gave it your best.
Stanford is a longshot. Berkeley is worth trying--especially with a good PS--since they traditionally favor GPA and 167 is still top 5%. You should be proud of that score. If you have time and energy to try again, obviously getting 170+ is preferable, but your numbers are respectable. Put some effort into the rest of your application in the meantime. Taking a break from LSAT prep is important to prevent burnout. Good luck!

[PRINCESSBARA]

Thank you, B90. Very helpful! I will see if I have the time and ability to improve my PTs above my current score in the next several weeks. If not, I will shift my focus to the rest of the application.