Absolutely devastated Forum

[jjtomp]

I've been studying for this test for the past 12 months, rigorously. I began to average out at about a 168 towards the end of my prep. The last PT score I got was a 173 before the actual one. I got a 157 on this test. My diagnostic score wasn't even that low. I literally don't understand or know what to do. I have a 4.0 and was shooting at schools like Harvard. I can't get in ANYWHERE I want with this score. Anyone in a similar boat/ can give advice? I'm seriously lost right now.

[phillywc]

Check your score sheet. Did you misbubble? Did you feel good on test day?

We all have bad days, but that's pretty extreme.

[jjtomp]

I did check the bubble sheet. I mean, I knew I kind of blew it. I had horrible nerves and completely whiffed the logic games section. I didn't think at all it would be THIS bad, but I just don't even know. Is retaking and getting a 170ish score something that will put me back in the market for top schools?

[phillywc]

I did check the bubble sheet. I mean, I knew I kind of blew it. I had horrible nerves and completely whiffed the logic games section. I didn't think at all it would be THIS bad, but I just don't even know. Is retaking and getting a 170ish score something that will put me back in the market for top schools?

Yes. You are probably out for good at Yale and Stanford, but HLS is still very much in the picture, as are the rest of the t14.

[Freebot]

Seems like September 2014 was brutal for a lot of people. Have a 4.09 LSAC GPA from a double major in physics and mathematics. Diagnostic was 166 with a lowest PT of 165, highest PT of 176 and an average of 173. Scored 161. I may still try to see if GULC part-time will admit me since the USPTO will be paying for it anyway. Otherwise, I'll probably try again in June. I'm not a morning person to begin with and I can't do much extra prep in just 6 weeks anyway. Also would like to see if this is the beginning of an attempt to shift the focus or composition of the LSAT.

[AOT]

Tbh if you score 170+ they'll see that the 157 was obviously a fuck up. Dont see why that would automatically take you out of the race anywhere. Even adcomms know mistakes happen

[annlean]

I was in the same boat as you one year ago and progressed time after time.
Get used to nerve racking and use proctor app +bubble sheet.
You may not get rid of all disturbs but you can minimize them. Don't lose hope.

[Freebot]

Tbh if you score 170+ they'll see that the 157 was obviously a fuck up. Dont see why that would automatically take you out of the race anywhere. Even adcomms know mistakes happen

Certainly, you shouldn't feel devastated over the occasional setback. However, for a bit of brutal honesty, if his average PT was 168, it is unlikely he will make a YHC worthy score in December (Stanford is a little more lenient but still a stretch) and if he skips December he is out of the game this cycle. If he is truly YHSC or bust, he may be better served taking in June after another 6+ months of preparation than risking another low score.

[vracovino]

I'll join you in this thread Last five before test were all high 160s, low 170s, with one 164. I scored a 156. I never scored that low throughout the three months I was studying.

I left the test unsure of how I felt but I at least figured it would be within the lower range of my bad scores. A 156? I can't even fathom that...

Anyway, I'm considering taking a gap year because I just don't know if I can study for December again when I still have Law School Apps to fill out, Personal Statements to write, and five finals the week of the test.

[bob311]

I can join the misery as well. Spent 6 months prepping, last month every practice test- 5 sections and listening to a proctor, not a single practice test under 166. Highest 171.

Score on September LSAT? 159. So I'm right there with you guys. Just means refocusing and crushing december. I spoke to a bunch of adcoms today and they said with already the score ranges they here they are preparing for a larger number of december takers due to this being one of the harder exams in recent memory (all t14 schools I talked to today).

[sfoglia]

Aww, guys. So much disappointment all around.

What was up with this test? It didn't seem difficult at the time. Has anyone reviewed questions? I need more time to reconcile this before I look, but, were they sneakily difficult?

[MadwomanintheAttic]

I'm hopping in... because I'm miserable and I'd like company Studied for almost a year and was consistently 165, on test day 155. I knew I blew the second LR and I do think there were some tricky questions in there, but my main issue was time for that section. I'm hyped though for December. I want to show my potential. I'll own this test. We all will.

[peppermint]

.

[harvardlaw8]

It feels comforting to know that other people are devastated with their score as well. I thought I was the only one NOT celebrating yesterday I was PT-ing around a 158/159 (I know, not very high but hopefully I can bring it up to my 164 goal for December) and then on test day I scored a 153. I'm devastated. A 153?!

[ThinkNegative]

I'm sorry to hear about this, but really, you must not let it get you down. If you retake and score in 170s, your LSAT will *not* keep you out of HYS.

While you're studying for your retake, I recommend that you focus as much on learning to relax and calmly applying your skills as on drilling material.

It CAN be done!!! YOU can do it! In this day and age there is simply NO REASON not to retake if you know that you've got a higher potential than you scored. (Same goes for folks who were shooting lower than 170's).

KEEP THE FAITH!!!!
- Multiple LSAT taker who got into H+S

[sfoglia]

I'm sorry to hear about this, but really, you must not let it get you down. If you retake and score in 170s, your LSAT will *not* keep you out of HYS.

While you're studying for your retake, I recommend that you focus as much on learning to relax and calmly applying your skills as on drilling material.

It CAN be done!!! YOU can do it! In this day and age there is simply NO REASON not to retake if you know that you've got a higher potential than you scored. (Same goes for folks who were shooting lower than 170's).

KEEP THE FAITH!!!!
- Multiple LSAT taker who got into H+S

This is fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing.

Just need to get back up and set the bar even higher now.

[BillsFan9907]

I did check the bubble sheet. I mean, I knew I kind of blew it. I had horrible nerves and completely whiffed the logic games section. I didn't think at all it would be THIS bad, but I just don't even know. Is retaking and getting a 170ish score something that will put me back in the market for top schools?

Yes. You are probably out for good at Yale and Stanford, but HLS is still very much in the picture, as are the rest of the t14.

[The Avatar]

200% devastated as my entire future hinges on an LSAT score.

PT avg- 166-169

Actual score 158, sleep deprivation (hardly slept) and therefore made a lot of easy mistakes. Though surprisingly I did the best 20/23 on the section that I thought to have bombed. RC was more difficult than people anticipated, particularly the photography passage. What really did my score was LR where normally I score -3 approximate.
There were quite a few tricky LR.

I am extremely confident I can get a 164+ in Dec. Never scored this low after my diagnostic test.

[Shelbinole]

I was in a similar boat with you for June LSAT. I was PTing high 160s and completely choked on test day and got a 158. This time I managed to get a 169. Retaking may suck but for me it was just getting a feel for the experience that calmed my nerves. The second time around I knew what to expect and I really think just that aspect alone helped me get over my nerves. I would really consider retaking in December if you're shooting for Harvard or any T-14!

[ManoftheHour]

OP, I took my first LSAT, didn't do so well, then I took a year off to retake. One year later, I whiffed on the first section (LG) and I almost got up and left after the first section because I didn't know WTF I was doing on the 3rd and 4th game. I ended up finishing the exam hoping that the 1st LG was the experimental. It wasn't. It was the only LG in the entire exam. I cancelled my score. I felt pretty dejected at the time and was pretty depressed. I TOOK A WHOLE FUCKING YEAR OFF FOR A CANCELLED SCORE?! I felt like I wasted all my time. I applied with my shit score, got in a few schools, and was ready to attend ND at sticker. While working a night shift, I was wondering why not give the LSAT a 3rd shot? I had a month to study and I had nothing to lose. If I score higher, I'll take another year, if I don't, I'll go to ND at sticker. I ended up buckling down for a 3rd take for June. Best decision I ever made. I improved, and I took another year. Furthermore, I became eligible for a 4th take (since it has been two years since my first take) and took a 4th time and increased my score even more.

Don't give up. It'll all be worth it. I'm glad as hell I didn't take ND at sticker. You said you scored those scores on your PTs? Well, that's your real ability. You just choked. It's okay. Give the exam one more take. You'll be ready this time.

[givemeschollypls]

Honestly thanks so much to the people who share their experiences on here, it really, really helps calm the nerves, and makes some us feel less like failures

[ThinkNegative]

Honestly thanks so much to the people who share their experiences on here, it really, really helps calm the nerves, and makes some us feel less like failures

Once you get to a place where you're happy, just act like you belong and nobody will have the damnedest clue what happened before you got there. Keep going!!!

[sfoglia]

Honestly thanks so much to the people who share their experiences on here, it really, really helps calm the nerves, and makes some us feel less like failures

This.

[iguazu]

Yea, I feel you. My situation was really similar--eerily common how often I'm reading people with a similar situation. I had a diag of 163 and had gotten up steady around 168-170 so thought for sure the worst I would do in Sept would be 163...BOOM, NOPE! Let's just chalk it up to a bad day and bank on roses and butterflies and ponies after December score release.

[tortsandtiaras]

Honestly thanks so much to the people who share their experiences on here, it really, really helps calm the nerves, and makes some us feel less like failures

This.

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