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Is there any advantage to taking the test in June over October? I am graduating this spring and I feel like prepping for the test and finishing up my classes at the same time could present some problems. Early admissions could factor in here, but I am kinda leaning toward the extra few months of prep time, what do you guys think?

sagef wrote:Is there any advantage to taking the test in June over October? I am graduating this spring and I feel like prepping for the test and finishing up my classes at the same time could present some problems. Early admissions could factor in here, but I am kinda leaning toward the extra few months of prep time, what do you guys think?

Sign up for the June test and if you feel confident that you can hit your target score before the test go ahead and take it then - taking the test twice isn't the best thing in the world, but, if you don't hit your target score the first time around you would have October to retake it and up your score before the December test, and it's always best to apply early. Also, if you knock it out of the park in June, you would have your summer to do other things, whatever they may be. It's pretty miserable studying for the test over the summer, but it can get the job done.

OneKnight wrote:

sagef wrote:Is there any advantage to taking the test in June over October? I am graduating this spring and I feel like prepping for the test and finishing up my classes at the same time could present some problems. Early admissions could factor in here, but I am kinda leaning toward the extra few months of prep time, what do you guys think?

Sign up for the June test and if you feel confident that you can hit your target score before the test go ahead and take it then - taking the test twice isn't the best thing in the world, but, if you don't hit your target score the first time around you would have October to retake it and up your score before the December test, and it's always best to apply early. Also, if you knock it out of the park in June, you would have your summer to do other things, whatever they may be. It's pretty miserable studying for the test over the summer, but it can get the job done.

This has been my approach. Prepare for June but have September as a fall back if I am not scoring where I think I am capable of by May.

sagef wrote:Is there any advantage to taking the test in June over October? I am graduating this spring and I feel like prepping for the test and finishing up my classes at the same time could present some problems. Early admissions could factor in here, but I am kinda leaning toward the extra few months of prep time, what do you guys think?

http://lsatblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/ju ... -cons.html

Go with June. You'll appreciate having more time to write your essays and hit the ground running as soon as apps are released.

I guess a good question is whether or not it is an advantage to apply Sept. 1st as opposed to the end of Oct./early Nov.?

honestabe84 wrote:I guess a good question is whether or not it is an advantage to apply Sept. 1st as opposed to the end of Oct./early Nov.?

Applying early can boost your chances at some schools and can help with possible $$$, but it isn't going to make up for a weak app. From my experience, you're usually better off applying with the best #s possible to begin with, particularly a higher LSAT, rather than rushing your apps to get them in a few weeks earlier. While adcoms have more spots to consider borderline candidates earlier in the cycle, they know that more qualified apps will be coming later in the cycle, so they don't need to rush on any decisions (leading to holds/WLs). People this cycle, in particular, seemed to believe that ED would give them a huge boost, but it didn't always work out that way.

wadeny wrote:People this cycle, in particular, seemed to believe that ED would give them a huge boost, but it didn't always work out that way.

Funny, people usually find that ED tends to be more of a disappointment.

FreeGuy wrote:

wadeny wrote:People this cycle, in particular, seemed to believe that ED would give them a huge boost, but it didn't always work out that way.

Funny, people usually find that ED tends to be more of a disappointment.

I lol'd

I'm taking the same route. Preparing for June and if I'm not PTing where I want by mid-May I'll take it in October.