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Hey everyone,

I'll start this off by acknowledging that I could be in a much worse position and I understand the score that I received is a great score and I don't mean to sound bitchy.

So, I scored a 169 on the Dec. test which I was slightly bummed about. I took a Prep course and about a month before the exam I had hit 170 and never looked back. Two weeks before the test I scored a 171, 171, 172, 173, and a 175. This test I was -8 RC, -8 LR, and -0 LG (shocked by how poorly I did on LR and RC isn't that big of a surprise because its my worst section).

My dream school is Stanford. Even though I am a URM, with a high 3.5 GPA a 169 isn't going to cut it. So, I am considering either retaking in either June or October. But I don't really know how to proceed. I am convinced that LR was just a bad fluke but I can't say that RC was because I have consistently scored poorly in that section.

For those of you who score well in this section do you have any good rules or strategies that could help me improve just a few points? I am relatively confident I can move my LR to a -2 or -3 and keep my LG at -0 I just can't seem to chip down the RC. I took a prep course for this past test and am worried about taking it again because everything may just overlap and not be worth it. Is there anyone who has taken a course twice and had a positive experience?

Also, is the early admissions boost from taking it in June worth the potential lost study time? Or, is taking in October and then submitting apps still earlier than most people? Please let me know if you have any advice!

ps. Yes I realize this is still a good score, please don't crucify me.

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Retake if you can get higher.

I would think as URM you still have a shot at Stanford with your numbers.

Lawquacious wrote:I would think as URM you still have a shot at Stanford with your numbers.

Probably WL=>Out.

I'm thinking 172 at bare minimum for a good shot. Ideally 175ish.

bk187 wrote:

Lawquacious wrote:I would think as URM you still have a shot at Stanford with your numbers.

Probably WL=>Out.

I'm thinking 172 at bare minimum for a good shot. Ideally 175ish.

Even for URM? I suppose Stanford is so big on GPA that may hold true..

Lawquacious wrote:Even for URM? I suppose Stanford is so big on GPA that may hold true..

That is what I pulled from my 30 second glance at LSN. Every 3.5ish URM from 160's-170's was waitlisted except for a 175 which got in. There were a handful of rejects as well.

bk187 wrote:

Lawquacious wrote:Even for URM? I suppose Stanford is so big on GPA that may hold true..

That is what I pulled from my 30 second glance at LSN. Every 3.5ish URM from 160's-170's was waitlisted except for a 175 which got in. There were a handful of rejects as well.

That's what I have also gathered. I am from L.A. so I feel like 3.5 169 puts me in pretty good shape for UCLA and USC. I also feel fairly confident with lower T-14.

I think for a month or so I am going to try and get better at the LSAT without looking at the LSAT itself if that makes sense. I am just going to start reading dense material (I have a subscription to the economist from school =) ) and just try and constantly ask myself what the article is saying and the tone that the author is putting out. Also going to try and read a formal logic book just to strengthen that ability.

Are there any test takers here who have seen a significant jump from high 160s on your second test?

Why don't you just apply with your current numbers and see what happens?