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[06162014123]

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[JamMasterJ]

wait until December

[hankypanky]

I intended to start studying over the summer, but I took a diagnostic, got 170, and said 'meh.' Fast forwarding to now, I've studied half-assed for 3 weeks due to school being more demanding than anticipated, and the test is in 2 days. I'm sure I'll do well, but my concern is that I won't do as well as I could. CCN is my goal so I figure I need a 173+ to feel 'safe.'

What would you do? Take the test and see how it goes? Cancel and wait 'til I have more time to prepare? If the first option, is there a threshold where if I were score under it you would recommend retaking?

If it matters, I've taken 5 Practice tests including the diag and they were, in order: 170,172,171,174,171(this was last night and I was quite tired)

Were the PTs you took fresh or were you familiar with the difficult question/any games/any passages?

Also, tell me how much you studied prior to the 170 that prompted the "meh."

[06162014123]

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[KibblesAndVick]

Where is your GPA at/how high can you get it before you graduate? If you take more time to study you should be able to get a 175+ instead of a 170+. This might be the difference between YHS and CCN depending on your GPA. It could also make a big difference in the amount of scholarship money you receive from CCN.

[hankypanky]

Were the PTs you took fresh or were you familiar with the difficult question/any games/any passages?

Also, tell me how much you studied prior to the 170 that prompted the "meh."

The 170 was with no prior studying/preparation. The rest were during my 3 weeks of study, so I had some familiarity.

Ok so a few things:

1) Wtf.
2) You can probably muster the strength to score a 178-180 on the actual thing if you sat down to study. You probably will score in the 170-173 now considering how you're awesome at it anyway.

If your GPA is in the 3.8+ range and you score a 172ish. You probably can get one of CCN on lock. If you're GPA is 3.9+, make sure one of those schools understand that you WILL come if you are accepted. Then I would say you're pretty much guaranteed.

I always favor more study, take it late = get better score/better school/more money than "let me take it to get it out of the way." So...I would say think about when you want to go to law school more than anything else.

[06162014123]

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[JamMasterJ]

Ok, sorry, maybe some more info will help.

I'm a senior with a 3.87 GPA that's only likely to go down this year. That makes me think applying this fall is my best bet, lest I have to worry about making up for my lower GPA. My goal is CCN, and by that I mean I have no desire to attend HYS even if I got in, but I do realize scholarships are very valuable. This year is extremely busy for me and I haven't been able to devote adequate time to studying while also keeping up with my classes. This problem won't change until the spring. I guess I could continue studying in the way I have been and take/retake in December, but won't this hurt my chances versus an October application?

1 extra point >> early app

[Eco]

You're not testing yourself properly. You'll do much worse on the real exam. Take it and cancel since its too late to cancel and not have it on your record.

[06162014123]

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[Jeffort]

Take it and cancel since its too late to cancel and not have it on your record.

Incorrect. You can withdraw your registration up to midnight ET the day before the test and nothing shows on your record, you just forfeit the registration fee.

[Tom Joad]

But if he takes it he could get a 174. Or maybe he will get a 168, but even then he could retake. I think I would take it, but it is a tough situation either way. But take my advice with a grain of salt because you seem way smarter than me.

[06162014123]

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[ShiftyOne]

The further you get into the application season, the more impressive you need to be to get the acceptance, take it and if you don't do well retake in December. From my experience retakes don't hurt you too much. I went 168 to 173 and managed HYS.