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I signed up really really early for the LSAT but sadly didn't start studying for it until three weeks before. I know, I know, shame shame, but in my defense I had a lot of work to do to this past semester to keep my GPA high. I guess I also grossly underestimated the difficulty of the test.

Anyway, I started studying just after the semester let out and I'm scheduled for the June 6 test. So far in my most recent practice test (third one I've taken) I got 159, after getting 156 on both the others. Definitely not ideal. I want at least 160, 165 if possible. I'm really really good at the arguments (usually only miss around 3-4 items per section) but only decent on the logic games and that's on the medium difficulty ones. When you get into stuff like having 4 men and 2 women that must be arranged on three teams which received 1st place, 2nd place, and 3rd place, and not necessarily in that order, it starts feeling like I can't think, especially knowing I'm being timed.

The postponement deadline is obviously already passed (it passed right when the semester let out, before I had a chance to see how much more difficult the test was than I was expecting). The school I want to go to accepts the highest of two scores but...even though that's their policy I know a low first score would darken the shine of a second result however higher it may be. And in addition, I'd like (need) some financial aid. My GPA is 3.99 so I think I could get some if I could just get this darn LSAT score up.

If I canceled and waited until September, I just might be able to bump up my score to where I want it with some more studying. But...then it would be a black mark on my record. I could try explaining it in my application but what could I say? "I procrastinated and had to reschedule"?

Can someone give me some advice?

Normally I say go for it and ride out the "best of 2 scores" deal, but with only a couple weeks of studying and a 159, it's a waste of time. Just cancel (it won't matter on your app) take it in October, and study all summer for it.

Also, a 3.99 is pretty badass. Break 170 and get a scholarship somewhere good.

Click on this link for links to suggested study schedules: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 6&t=156613

It will be much harder to explain away a significant jump in score (say, mid-150s to upper 160s) than a cancel, IMO. Three weeks is NOT ENOUGH to improve 10-ish points to anywhere near where you want to be. Postpone till October and shoot for over a 170. Your GPA + a 170+ will open a lot of doors for you. Your GPA + 160-something will still cut you out of some of the top schools. Don't underestimate the significance of a 16X vs. a 17X. You'd be surprised.

Don't waste your GPA. Study hard this summer and shoot for the highest possible score you can get. I recommend going through the LG Bible, LR Bible, and Manhattan RC Guide. You should be going -0 on LG by the time you're done--it is the most learnable and very easy to pick up once you know the basics. It just takes time and practice. Check out the LSAT Blog for its weekly/monthly schedules: http://lsatblog.blogspot.com/p/month-ls ... plans.html

It doesn't even have to show up as a cancel if he withdraws before Saturday night If I understand the new lsac policy correctly

Congrats on the 3.99.

I do not think that canceling and rescheduling for the next sitting would pose a problem, as long as nothing comes up to prevent you from sitting for the test the next time around.

Good Luck,

Honestly, don't waste the test. Start studying and use this test later on when you can best utilize it.

Funny thing is, I'm almost in the same position as you. My decision which I know many will probably disagree is taking it in June since I already paid for it and ride my luck and if I'm feeling good about it i'll wait for the score, if I feel bad about it ill just cancel afterwards. Overall, it'll be a learning experience even if I have to retake in October anyway. Also, I feel that I'm in a different circumstance. I can barley ever juggle school with LSAT studying (seriously bad at it). So that whole 3-4 weeks after my spring semester ended that I was completely free from work and school I was able to do probably the best studying ever compared to doing lingering half-effort studying juggling school at the same time which I would run into if I set my goals on the Oct tests since school begins in late Aug. Bottom line, I'm just riding the momentum I have now which I think I won't have for the Oct. test.

Thanks everyone. I'm definitely leaning toward postponing. In fact, I'm leaning very far toward postponing. Also, handlesthetruth, I just checked and you're right, you can "withdraw" up to the day before the test without getting any marks on your record--so thanks for pointing that out to remove another impedance to my moving the test back. And $130 is nothing in light of the possibility of extra aid for a much better score.

I will most likely withdraw, and register for October. A clean 4 months of additional prep would be perfect. I'd be able to get a proper LSAT prep materials, and buy and take even more prep tests. I hope this pans out...I really really want my post-law-school debt mountain to be as small and un-frightening as possible. =p

Thanks again!