170, retake? Forum

[joeljohnson]

I will be applying next cycle for the first time, but decided to go ahead and take the Feb. LSAT. I took 30 practice tests. The first 20, my average was a 169. My next 10, my average was 172 (range of 169-175).

I felt great on the actual LSAT until the last section, the logic games. This is usually my best section, but I got caught on a game and ended up guessing on four questions--something I was never doing the last 10 practice tests.

MY GPA is 3.85-87 (depending on the next couple semesters).

Should I retake in June?

[Drake014]

Depends what you want.

[joeljohnson]

Depends what you want.

I'd like the option of Chicago/NYU or MVP with $$ (1/3 to 1/2 tuition)

[tourdeforcex]

depends on goals. where do you want to go to school? where would you like to work? how much can you pay out? (basically are you only looking at schools that offer you schollies?)

my personal opinion is it's hard to know how you'll do on test day. i thought i was rocking logic games by the time i took the real deal. then i just -6. end of story.

[kwais]

Depends what you want.

I'd like the option of Chicago/NYU or MVP with $$ (1/3 to 1/2 tuition)

I would think you currently have some sort of shot at $ with UVA/UM but unlikely at Penn, Chi or NYU. Are you a URM or do you have amazing softs?

just answered the URM question with a look at your profile

[joeljohnson]

Depends what you want.

I'd like the option of Chicago/NYU or MVP with $$ (1/3 to 1/2 tuition)

I would think you currently have some sort of shot at $ with UVA/UM but unlikely at Penn, Chi or NYU. Are you a URM or do you have amazing softs?

just answered the URM question with a look at your profile

Yeah, no URM. I don't have amazing softs, just a difficult major (Philosophy) and Honors College.

You think I don't have money at Penn, Chi, and NYU? Or do you mean I won't get in?

[benito]

You are gonna have a strong application anyway, but in deciding whether to retake what really matters is what you think your LSAT floor is. You know better than anyone obviously, if you think there is a legitimate chance you could fall to a 165 or something if you take it again don't. I will definitely be retaking my 170 because I'm quite sure that is my floor and somehow I managed to choke in Feb. So if you think the worse case scenario is say a 168 and the best case is something like 175 or better by all means, retake.

[Nulli Secundus]

Your averages indicate that it is unlikely to expect a significant increase if you do retake, therefore it probably would not be worth it. Most people score lower than their PT averages, be happy that you scored EXACTLY your average ((((20*169)+(10*172)) / 30) = 170) and plan accordingly. 30 PTs constitute a quite significant and representative sample. HTH.