Retake strategy - is less more? Forum

[Kiersten1985]

I've never been one to consider "taking it easy" in terms of studying, but I've decided to retake the LSAT to try to get off of a waitlist for a school who shall remain nameless... My score is a 169 which was about my PT average. I did hit the low-170's a couple times. I would be happy just to go up even that one point.

Thing is, I went all-out for my first score and was happy with it. I feel like I have a really good grasp of the test, especially timing. I would say the only things that could have gone better were my RC and LR because I studied so hard for LG (went from completely sucking to only -2 on the real thing, thankyouverymuch). I think my RC/LR suffered some neglect, though.

I've heard that some people do better on retakes simply because they're more relaxed. I'm interested to hear what successful retakers did and how hardcore they studied the second time around.

Lastly - this is kind of a last-ditch effort on my part. If my score goes down, still I'd be happy with several of the schools that have already accepted me and that's why I don't see a downside to retaking at this point.

[Sandro]

obviously not having the pressure on you of your FIRST test helps. And yes, there is some element to the fact that taking a break/taking it easy in studying helps you - picking up a LR section for the first time since Sept 09 I got -2 and -3, as opposed to -7 and -8 on the real thing. But how much you can count on that to improve your score is a toss up.

[los blancos]

Kiersten, I'll probably be re-taking in June, too (if I don't get Berkeley next week) - just because I've become CCN or bust lately. Here's my $0.02:

I took the June 09 test and bombed it. I started looking for jobs before I took Sep 09, and at that point was really just taking the LSAT as a backup plan because I wanted to work. It took a lot of pressure off, and it contributed to an 8-point jump.

The only caveat I have for you is to make absolutely sure that you don't plan on reapplying next cycle because getting a lower score in June could hurt you if you decide not to attend in Fall 2010 for whatever reason.

[Kiersten1985]

Thanks for the replies.

Yeah, I tossed around the idea of reapplying next cycle but I decided I would only do that if I somehow got like a 178+ and thought I had a chance at HYS. So...not happening haha.

blancos - what was your studying like during the summer when you were taking the exam as a back up plan? Did you do a lot of PT's or was it just doing a few questions whenever you had some free time?

[mcflooter06]

I definitely did a lot less LSAT-wise before my retake and went from a 162 in June 09 to a 171 in September. I prepared fairly extensively for the June LSAT, and was scoring higher than my 162 on PTs, but I think my nerves just got the better of me. Over the summer, I did mostly PTs (one, maybe two a week) and some drills I had left over from my PR course. I approached it with the mentality that, if I don't feel like studying, it will not be productive, and I just wouldn't do it. I studied MUCH less for the September test, and yet every PT I did between June and Sept, I hit 170. I was much more relaxed going into that test, it was unbelievable. So, from my experience, less is definitely more, if you know the test fairly well.

[los blancos]

Thanks for the replies.

Yeah, I tossed around the idea of reapplying next cycle but I decided I would only do that if I somehow got like a 178+ and thought I had a chance at HYS. So...not happening haha.

blancos - what was your studying like during the summer when you were taking the exam as a back up plan? Did you do a lot of PT's or was it just doing a few questions whenever you had some free time?

I actually think part of the reason I did well was because I barely studied for the retake (FWIW I was fairly consistently testing 175+ before June), so I was fresh for the actual test. I did like 4-5 PTs in the weeks leading up to the exam just to re-gain my timing and that was it. I plan on using a similar strategy if I have to do it again this June.