Retake Risk? Forum

[Close Diamond]

The Facts

1. Took in February and scored 4 points below my PT average.

2. Despite #1, I am a very likely admit for the top schools in the region in which I hope to practice. (I've found no rejections of numbers twins in the past 5 cycles, and some good $ to boot.)

3. The aforementioned schools claim to use the highest LSAT score when making admissions decisions, but want applicants to be aware that they do see all scores.

4. Thus, a retake would be to:
A. Make myself feel more secure about my chances of admissions.
B. Increase my likelihood of receiving scholarships/increase the amount of said scholarships.
C. Give me a shot at a/some t14's.

The Question

If I choke in June and score lower than on the February test, would my chances of admissions at the above mentioned schools be damaged?

[ricking1288]

first what are your stats?

[Kilpatrick]

When in doubt, retake

[UFmark]

first what are your stats?

+1

[Close Diamond]

For anonymity one or both of these numbers are slightly changed, but still very close to my actual numbers.

164/3.55

[Close Diamond]

*crickets*

I guess I'm looking for insights as to what extent schools consider all LSAT scores when they claim to use the highest.

[bk1]

Higher/est is what gets reported. That being said, I think if there is a significant jump they look at the higher/est and generally ignore the others (i.e. 165->170+) but if there isn't a big difference (165, 167, 169) then they probably look at them together in more sort of an averaged fashion. I could be wrong, but this is the gist I get from reading TLS and other sites.

[Kilpatrick]

I didn't even need to see your stats to tell you to retake. But now that I've seen them I'm even more convinced you should retake. If your LSAT was 4 points below your PT average that means you're really close to 170 which is pretty much what you will need if you want T14. Even getting to 168 I think is worth it.

If for some strange reason you actually do worse on your retake then schools will just look at your original score. The highest LSAT is the only one they have to report to USNWR so that's the one they care about.