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dswimmer wrote:I'm trying to decide if I should take the October LSAT. I took the June test and scored 158 (but I have 3.84 GPA at a top liberal arts college).

I really want to break into the mid 160s, but I've been taking a course and studying non-stop and the highest I have scored on a simulated practice test is 160.

What are the pros and cons of taking the October test? I'm afraid that if my score goes down, it will hurt me more than a few points up will help me. Advice?

The schools I plan on applying to are UCLA, USC, Davis, UCI, Hastings, Pepperdine, Loyola, USD, and Chapman.

pull an absence = get to keep 2 more attempts. Don't take a course. study on your own for a couple of months, apply late this year or early next year.

unfortunately some people cant score higher than 160. Since you have a score allready, you can go ahead and apply to your safety schools ( if you have any, and assuming everything else is allready done) be absent on the 9th ( do something fun- and still celebrate that night) and study for december. If after december, you still arent cracking higher than mid 160s- i would say you have reached your peak for this test.

Pros:
-you could score in the mid 160
-you've already taken a real LSAT before so you have an advantage (stress management, time management, etc) over those who are taking for the first time, which I would guess would be over 50% of those taking.

Cons:
-you could score below 158 (but in my opinion, because LSAT is actually a very reliable test as in scores are pretty consistent, the likelihood of this is not high)

As for the schools, for a point of reference check out the Law School Predictor: http://www.lawschoolpredictor.com. A quick glance at a couple of your schools predict a straight Admit (Chapman) to Deny (UCLA, USC) with Considers (for Hastings, Davis, Pepperdine)

Seeing this, I see there isn't an obvious answer. I guess I'll return to my economics background and ask if you are a risk loving person or risk averse. If you want that shot at UCLA, USC (barring exceptional circumstances), I'd say take the October LSAT. If you just want to chill and try for Hastings, Davis, Pepperdine with just the 158, there is a chance you get in.

And finally if you really can't decide: Tomorrow is a week from the test so try to simulate the test as close as possible, and if you score above 158, take it. If not, don't. Either way, best wishes.