Should I take the October LSAT? Forum

[lwaring1]

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[Hannibal]

Could you take October 2010 and retake in October 2011 if needed?

Also, are you sure you want to go straight from UG to LS?

[kazu]

How much time do you have this summer?

If you have the time to study intensively for the LSAT, take it this October. 2~3 months should be sufficient for you to reach your potential. Again, this differs for everyone but I definitely think it's better to study hardcore for 6~8 weeks, than to spread out the studying over a longer period of time. Also, getting in your apps early is crucial - and putting all your hopes on the single October 2011 exam just seems to risky.

[lwaring1]

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[lwaring1]

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[lawandi]

I think it's a bit too late to take the December LSAT if you're applying this round b/c the rolling admissions will decrease your chance. In my opinion, it's best to sign up for a prep course AND have ample time for personal study. I've been studying for the LSAT 5 months already and I'm just now reaching my potential. There is really no cramming for this test.
I don't mean to discourage you though, because if you decide to go for it, go wholeheartedly.

[kazu]

How much time do you have this summer?

If you have the time to study intensively for the LSAT, take it this October. 2~3 months should be sufficient for you to reach your potential. Again, this differs for everyone but I definitely think it's better to study hardcore for 6~8 weeks, than to spread out the studying over a longer period of time. Also, getting in your apps early is crucial - and putting all your hopes on the single October 2011 exam just seems to risky.

I have a good bit of time this summer because I'm doing an independent research internship, so my schedule is really flexible.

Thanks for the advice on spreading studying out over a long period of time. And I agree on the risk with the October 2011/December 2011 retake option (and I'm definitely not a risk taker, haha).

So how late is it considered to take the December LSAT in a year you're applying to T20 or T14 schools? I mean I know most begin taking applications in September or October, but do many people really have all their stuff in by then?

Thanks again!

Generally people say to get your apps in before Thanksgiving - that's considered "early". Handing your apps in with the December LSAT score is definitely on the late side, especially since a lot of admissions offices (including LSAC) go on holiday until early January.

Hope things work out for you!

[lwaring1]

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[lwaring1]

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[kazu]

Thanks! And I hope your LSAT and applications go well for you too (if you are applying this cycle, that is)!

And I didn't know about the extended holiday break, so thanks for the heads-up. I know a lot of schools won't look at an app until it is complete, but do you know if any will let you submit everything else and just send in December scores later?

I'm pretty sure that none of the T20 schools will consider your app unless you have at least 1 LSAT score. Certainly none of the T14 will. And since everything is done electronically I highly doubt that LSAC.org will even let your app be sent until everything is there (LORs, transcripts, LSATs etc...) - although I've never tried this so maybe someone else will be able to give you a better answer.

I really think the best thing would be for you to take the October 2010. There's plenty of time, and you have time to retake just in case something goes wrong. And you'll get a much better grasp on how much time you personally will need to spend once you actually start studying.

[NYCLSATTutor]

Just looking for a little advice here on whether or not I should take the October 2010 LSAT.

Situation:

1) I'm going to be a junior next year--planning to graduate in May of 2012 and start law school the following fall.
2) I've been planning to take the June 2011 LSAT for awhile now (and then take the October 2011 if needed), but now I am going to study abroad during the Spring 2011 semester and will be out of the country for the test date.
3) I will also be gone for the February exam, and I do not want to take the December exam due to classwork/finals/getting ready to leave for England.
4) I don't know if this is relevant, but I scored a 155 on PrepTest 36 (proctored by Kaplan) last fall. I had no idea what I was doing on the logic games and didn't realize there was a fourth RC passage until about 2 minutes till time--retarded, I know. Anyways, I want to get at least a 165, but really hope to score ~170.
5) I have a free Knewton LSAT prep course to use, which I could begin as early as Sunday if I want to take the October 2010 exam. It runs until September 26.
6) I haven't done any prep yet though, and I realize staring now might be pushing it to be ready this October.

So...

This leaves me with the options of taking the October 2010 test and retaking in December 2011 if needed, or taking the October 2011 test and retaking in December 2011 if needed (which I really want to avoid if at all possible due to being late with applications, finals, etc.).

Suggestions?

Sorry this is so long, but, in advance, I really appreciate any advice you can give.

Thanks!

If you can devote much of your time to prep, 2 months should be fine. You also aren't looking to improve that much from your original diagnostic.

Realize that 155 on a diagnostic is actually really good. Just make sure that you study well.

[Hull_at_The_House]

If you feel all of this is a bit rushed, then you might wanna consider taking the LSAT abroad.
I'm from London so I know that if you're stuyding in the area, you do have the option to take the LSAT at Iron Monger's Hall. That way you could conceivably take the Feb '11 or June '11 tests. However from what I hear, test taking conditions there can either be amazing or poor, which is why I'm taking mine while i'm studying 'abroad' in DC

Personally, I'd try and get as much time to prep as possible, so have the 3+ months of intensive study and then maybe have an extra month or so to perfect my game, but otherwise I'd take the October LSAT and start prepping now. http://lsatblog.blogspot.com/ has a couple 3 month study schedules that you might want to use in conjunction with your prep course.

All the best!

[lwaring1]

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[lwaring1]

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[Patriot1208]

I'll be a junior, well sorta, I'll technically be in the 2nd semester of my junior year this fall. But will still be applying for law school classes of 2015. And I am taking it this october. Mainly, because I knew I could sit down and get the most out of studying over a summer rather than during school. And I did not want to wait for October 2011 so I could get my apps in early.

[Hull_at_The_House]

Yeah if you're coming from Manchester then I definitely wouldn't recommend it, there are high speed train links but its alot of hassle that could put you off just before the test.