Top Law Schools

I scored 175 on the Dec. 2009 LSAT. While I realize this is a strong score, it does not accurately represent my LSAT ability. The proctor ended the first section of the test ten minutes early. We got the time back after the break but the interruption cost me three points (so 175 instead of 178). LSAT is going to include a letter explaining the circumstances with my file. Nonetheless, I'm concerned that the three points could mean the difference between getting accepted into certain schools and receiving scholarship money at others. On practice tests, I was regularly scoring between 177-179.

In response to some of the more legit replies, here are more details: I have a GPA around 3.3, with the GPA from my junior/senior year about a full point higher than the GPA from my first two years. I have a couple of years of work experience and decent but not outstanding softs. I'm not trying to go to Harvard, Yale or Stanford, but I would like my options to include some of the schools that are ranked 5 through 15. In this context, is it likely that a 2-4 point score difference in the upper-170s will make a significant difference?

if you retake the test you can turn things around in a complete 360 and head in the direction of perfection.

just make sure to study harder this time or it will be a waste.

maybe go and try [strike]testmasters[/strike] KAPLAN courses to help you improve.

Depends on your GPA and how CERTAIN you are that you could get that increase. It could be a more difficult test next time, another proctor issue could occur. If your GPA is a 4.0 or close to it, I think it would be kind of silly to retake unless you're Yale or bust.

If not troll, OP confirms weak correlation between LSAT scores and general, real-world intelligence.

blhblahblah wrote:If not troll, OP confirms weak correlation between LSAT scores and general, real-world intelligence.

Hahaha, +1

this OP is a fucking douchebag.

Go fuck yourself dude.

Retaking a 175, and creating a thread about it.

Get bent.

somebody lock this thread.

i could understand how someone would feel cheated out if they knew they could get higher than a 175, it is a matter of principle to some people, but seriously, if your gpa is high enough, you wouldnt get merit scholarships from HYS anyways so it doesn't really matter

brit123 wrote:The proctor ended the first section of the test ten minutes early. We got the time back after the break but the interruption cost me three points

Explain this.

There was at least one 3.8/175 who got flat-out rejected from HLS this cycle (he had unremarkable softs); retaking might be a good idea.

troll for sure. I would not think twice if I had a 175...

You´re an idiot. The difference between a 180 and a 175 is luck, not intelligence or skill. That being said, please go through the trouble of retaking it and blowing it for my own schadenfreude.

why the fuck do people get pissed off at someone who wants to waste a few hours on a saturday retaking a test? It's kind of attention whorey and something he could figure out on his own, but that's the case with 80% of the questions on this site about the LSAT.

175 is below the 75th percentile of H, Y and Columbia, so, it might be the difference between say, a Hamilton and a Butler at Columbia. Probably not, but there's really almost no downside, especially if the non-standard testing situation is documented with your LSAT.

bluejayk wrote:why the fuck do people get pissed off at someone who wants to waste a few hours on a saturday retaking a test? It's kind of attention whorey and something he could figure out on his own, but that's the case with 80% of the questions on this site about the LSAT.

175 is below the 75th percentile of H, Y and Columbia, so, it might be the difference between say, a Hamilton and a Butler at Columbia. Probably not, but there's really almost no downside, especially if the non-standard testing situation is documented with your LSAT.

False.

I know it's probably the minority view here, but I don't see any reason not to retake if you feel confident you'll get a score as good or better as your previous score. At this point, we've all taken dozens of tests in college that, all combined, make up our GPA--which is so much less important than LSAT. If taking one more test has a shot at improving your chances, why not? I'm usually not doing anything super amazing between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM on a Saturday anyway...

The prime reason to retake a 175 is to create a thread talking about how you got a 175 and decided to retake.

Retake.

Argue with LSAC for a free sitting, and get that proctor fired (someone who can't keep track of 35 minutes has no business proctoring). Then retake. There's really no downside to retaking.

TLS1776 wrote:There was at least one 3.8/175 who got flat-out rejected from HLS this cycle (he had unremarkable softs); retaking might be a good idea.

Ya, its numbers like that that induce worrywhoring.

I still wouldn't retake a 175 personally, but I can definitely see how a 177 might be different from a 175 to Harvard or Yale.

Its also worth noting that the most elite schools are some of the only ones that still average scores. So, if you retake it and get a pathetic 170 you´re going to have to sucumb to an education of mediocrity at Georgetown or Michigan.

EDIT: You´re right. I thought pithy meant a horde of flying fish. After consulting dictionary.com, I have learned that I am wrong.

blhblahblah wrote:175 is below the 75th percentile of H, Y and Columbia

False.[/quote]

I stand corrected, 175 is below the 75th percentile of Harvard and Yale, but equal to Columbia's.

lawschooliseasy wrote:Its also worth noting that the most elite schools are some of the only ones that still average scores. So, if you retake it and get a pithy 170 you´re going to have to sucumb to an education of mediocrity at Georgetown or Michigan.

Pithy doesn't mean what you think it does.

This website really has some high standards for itself, I got a 168 and would never even consider retaking that. Before I got on here I thought anything in the 160s was good.

Rather than bitterly yelling "TROLL!!!!! OMGZ BAN PLZ!", I hope this post will be a bit more constructive:


I consistently PT'd at 178-179 (with a 180 once or twice and a 172 once). Personally, I would retake anything 174 or below. I think 175 is right at that line where it depends on your GPA and how that GPA relates to the medians at your target schools.

If the GPA is below median (and definitely if it is below the 25th percentile), it would certainly help to have a LSAT score above the 75th. Then again, the 175 is above the 75th at almost every school. It depends on which schools you are aiming for (i.e. how badly you want to go HYS).

Personally, I can see scenarios where retaking the 175 makes sense. You have to weigh the risks/rewards and decide for yourself. Nobody online can make the decision for you.

e