Should I aim take the LSAT in Oct or Dec? Forum

[marquisb]

I'm just starting to get serious about prepping for the LSAT. I took my first PT timed without studying and scored a 153. A week later i took another PT untimed, still without studying, and got a 161. Since then i have completed the Powerscore LR Bible, but i haven't taken another PT. I would like to score at least a 167 when i take the test. Based on my PT scores, is it possible to raise my score to where i need it to be by Oct, or should i keep studying until Dec? ( I have unlimited free time to study)
Also, i know this is unrelated, but i would like to know if i should raise my target score. The schools that i would like to attend are GWU, BC, and BU. However, my GPA is very low (3.2). As an AA male, would i need to score in the 170's in order to have a good shot at one of these schools, or will the high 160's suffice?

[EarlCat]

lawschoolnumbers.com will probably give you a better idea of what you need in those schools, but it doesn't hurt to raise your score as high as possible.

Your initial scores are great, and I don't think high 160s or 170s are out the question. I'd recommend taking the test in October simply because December is really late in the admissions cycle, which means a lot of the seats would be taken before anyone even looks at your application.

[SoPro]

I'm going to ignore your second question. I don't know the answer.


Taking in October has several advantages, as far as I see it.

For one, it offers more opportunities to retake. However, if you start studying next week, you'll have around 14 weeks of study time. That's a significant amount of time to raise your score, and you may not need a retake.

Secondly, most law schools are on a rolling admission, so the earlier you send in your application, the better. Taking in October, then, obviously provides this benefit.

Finally, if you're still going to school, December is usually the month finals occur. Taking your first LSAT during the chaos of finals..well, the disadvantage is obvious.


If you can, study and take in October.

[Kurst]

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 4#p3403472

[3v3ryth1ng]

I'm just starting to get serious about prepping for the LSAT. I took my first PT timed without studying and scored a 153. A week later i took another PT untimed, still without studying, and got a 161. Since then i have completed the Powerscore LR Bible, but i haven't taken another PT. I would like to score at least a 167 when i take the test. Based on my PT scores, is it possible to raise my score to where i need it to be by Oct, or should i keep studying until Dec? ( I have unlimited free time to study)
Also, i know this is unrelated, but i would like to know if i should raise my target score. The schools that i would like to attend are GWU, BC, and BU. However, my GPA is very low (3.2). As an AA male, would i need to score in the 170's in order to have a good shot at one of these schools, or will the high 160's suffice?

If you're planning on getting in to these law schools you're applying to, applying earlier is invariably better. Study hard and take the test in October. After that, evaluate your options, and if you don't like them, take the LSAT again in December. You're much better off by being done with the LSAT in October though.

On another note, going from 153 timed to 167+ timed is a huge jump. Don't listen to the people on this board; they're not a representative sample. For most people, a score like that is practically unattainable, regardless of the amount of studying. If want to score that high, just be ready to study and practice your ass off. Make sure you understand EVERY answer choice on EVERY question you missed.

Lastly, you being an AA male will probably help just a little. That said, you will probably need to compensate for your GPA with a higher-than-median LSAT score at the schools you listed. The GPA you use to evaluate your chances at schools should be calculated using the LSAC's criteria (they have their own) and not your degree-granting institution's. My GPA, for example, was 3.37 on my transcript, but after the LSAC calculated it, it's 3.06. That has made a huge difference, and I'd be happy even with a 3.02. Make sure you use your LSAC GPA to evaluate your chances.

[Luthecis]

My advice would be take the LSAT exam in October, for several reasons:

1- Your second cold diagnostic score is already above the average for the LSAT exam; If you put in a few months worth of effort before the test date, you should be able to score in the high 160s, if not in the 170s.

2- Since most colleges offer admission on a rolling basis, it's strategically advantageous for you to take the LSAT exam earlier, and turn in your application early before the seats fill up for the matriculating class in 2012.

3- Some may argue that you should wait until December for your fall quarter/semester grade to "boost" your low GPA- but a jump in the LSAT score from, say, mid-160 to 170 is substantially better than a boost from 3.2 to 3.3-3.4 (assuming you're able to achieve a 4.0 for that particular quarter/semester.)

also, +1 for LSN.