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I took the LSAT in September 2009 and October 2010 and got 170 both times. I studied by taking old practice tests. The first time, I had been scoring 165-173 on practice tests and was pleasantly surprised by my score. The second time, I had been scoring 172-179 (consistently over 173 by the end of my studying), but had a bad testing experience and debated canceling (now wish I had!). I am open to retaking, but feel a third score would probably look bad unless I improved significantly, which realistically will be hard to do.

Until a recent promotion, my job was so stressful that I couldn't even think about studying and retaking the LSAT. Now, I have much more downtime, and could even study a bit at work (stealthily).

My GPA is 3.28. I have no compelling explanation for this, but I did get a dual degree (BS/BA) in two very different majors.

I think my best bet is applying EARLY next cycle with a polished PS and application. Therefore, I think I would need to take the June LSAT?

SO to sum up, should I retake the LSAT again? Is two months enough time to study, especially considering I haven't looked at one in a year and a half?

The answer is ALWAYS yes if you think you can do better/ will always live is a state of "what if?"

Two 170s are pretty solid. The worst thing that can happen is you feel like you screwed up on the day and then cancel.

I personally know someone who had the same score twice before jumping 11pts on the third try. That person's admission cycle is going almost as if the first two never happened.*

*I would, however, assume that the higher one goes on the totem poll, the more likely schools are going to seriously look at all three scores. ex: a T30 might be gushing to take a 167 (with $$$) from someone who also had two 160s. On the other hand, harvard might hesitate more if it were 170/170/177.... see what im trying to say?

Thanks, T00L. I know with my GPA I'm not HYS or CCN material. I would LOVE a shot at Penn/Duke/Michigan/Vandy/UCLA/Texas (not geographically attached anywhere, really but am in TX now). With a 170 I think schools like Wash U, Emory, W&M are my best bets.

shifty_eyed wrote:Thanks, T00L. I know with my GPA I'm not HYS or CCN material. I would LOVE a shot at Penn/Duke/Michigan/Vandy/UCLA/Texas (not geographically attached anywhere, really but am in TX now). With a 170 I think schools like Wash U, Emory, W&M are my best bets.

I think if you're a Texas resident and you apply early, you have a pretty solid shot at UT, despite your GPA. Nevertheless, it's worth it to retake if you think you can improve.

After spending the past couple hours stewing over this and reading TLS, I think a retake is worth it. Just not sure if I should aim for June or October. I feel like I can do it by June, but I don't want to end up thinking WHAT IF I waited. My other concern is that I generally get sleepy after lunch, and that the afternoon test time might actually be a disadvantage for me in June. On the other hand, I'd like to get the LSAT over with earlier, so I can concentrate on perfecting my applications.

I think I will start studying TODAY, and if I'm not scoring above 174 consistently on PTs before the deadline to sign up for the June LSAT, I should wait until October. Does this sound like a decent plan?

shifty_eyed wrote:After spending the past couple hours stewing over this and reading TLS, I think a retake is worth it. Just not sure if I should aim for June or October. I feel like I can do it by June, but I don't want to end up thinking WHAT IF I waited. My other concern is that I generally get sleepy after lunch, and that the afternoon test time might actually be a disadvantage for me in June. On the other hand, I'd like to get the LSAT over with earlier, so I can concentrate on perfecting my applications.

I think I will start studying TODAY, and if I'm not scoring above 174 consistently on PTs before the deadline to sign up for the June LSAT, I should wait until October. Does this sound like a decent plan?

Sounds like a good plan to me. Good luck!

shifty_eyed wrote:After spending the past couple hours stewing over this and reading TLS, I think a retake is worth it. Just not sure if I should aim for June or October. I feel like I can do it by June, but I don't want to end up thinking WHAT IF I waited. My other concern is that I generally get sleepy after lunch, and that the afternoon test time might actually be a disadvantage for me in June. On the other hand, I'd like to get the LSAT over with earlier, so I can concentrate on perfecting my applications.

I think I will start studying TODAY, and if I'm not scoring above 174 consistently on PTs before the deadline to sign up for the June LSAT, I should wait until October. Does this sound like a decent plan?

Hard call, but I would do everything I could to take June if I were you.

Mr.Binks wrote:

shifty_eyed wrote:Thanks, T00L. I know with my GPA I'm not HYS or CCN material. I would LOVE a shot at Penn/Duke/Michigan/Vandy/UCLA/Texas (not geographically attached anywhere, really but am in TX now). With a 170 I think schools like Wash U, Emory, W&M are my best bets.

I think if you're a Texas resident and you apply early, you have a pretty solid shot at UT, despite your GPA. Nevertheless, it's worth it to retake if you think you can improve.

Where have you been?~:-)

How's your prep~?

Hope you are doing great~~

Also, should I take a class or stick with self-study?

Good luck!

I'm buying the logic games and reasoning bibles tonight, as well as all the practice tests I don't already own. Game on!

YES! Trust yourself. Take as much time as you think you'll need and use the method that you think will best work for you.

T00L wrote:

shifty_eyed wrote:After spending the past couple hours stewing over this and reading TLS, I think a retake is worth it. Just not sure if I should aim for June or October. I feel like I can do it by June, but I don't want to end up thinking WHAT IF I waited. My other concern is that I generally get sleepy after lunch, and that the afternoon test time might actually be a disadvantage for me in June. On the other hand, I'd like to get the LSAT over with earlier, so I can concentrate on perfecting my applications.

I think I will start studying TODAY, and if I'm not scoring above 174 consistently on PTs before the deadline to sign up for the June LSAT, I should wait until October. Does this sound like a decent plan?

Hard call, but I would do everything I could to take June if I were you.

Applying right after you get your October score is still way early. Nothing wrong with waiting if you need to.

shifty_eyed wrote:Also, should I take a class or stick with self-study?

Missed this question before. I think a class can certainly be helpful if you have the money, especially if you feel like you've peaked on your own. However, I would be cautious too. As previous posters have said, if you don't feel like you're scoring consistently where you want shortly before test day - don't take it in June. Instead, use that time to solidify your plan of attack to the LSAT. For me, where I was scoring shortly before test day was a great predictor for my actual LSAT score. I'm inclined to think that it's this way for most people - and that great deviations from scores shortly before the actual day of the test are anomalies.

I did take a class (if you want more details on this, feel free to PM me and I'd be happy to share my experiences).