I've taken the LSAT three times. Can I retake again? Forum

[hala92]

I took the LSAT first time in HK in Oct. 2013 (161), second time in June 2014 (165) and third time in Feb. 2015 (169). I was so frustrated that I did not reach my goal of 170+. I guess I am getting obsessed with this test; it kind of became my lifetime regret that I stopped at 169. I wonder can I or SHOULD I retake the LSAT 0ct.2015 or Dec. 2015? The policy said that I cannot take the LSAT more than three times in two years. Will a test in Oct. 2015 violate the policy? Will my repeated attempts at the LSAT look really bad by law schools?

I had a really bad cycle this year. I was waitlisted by NW, with GULC, UCLA still pending. I guess I would most likely be rejected by these three, I suppose partly because I applied too late or ... the schools really dislike multiple LSAT scores?

[msp8]

There's two reasons to re-take, in my view:

1) you regret it

2) you'd like a better chance at a better school

...

So I'd re-take, in your shoes. I don't know how adcomms will view 4 takes. I don't expect it'd be particularly negative, though.

Either way, kudos to you. I've been at this for awhile and I don't think I'd be up for 4 takes.

Oh, and as for whether you can take it a 4th time? You could certainly in Dec. Not sure about the Oct date timeline. Call LSAC to be certain. Ideally you'd take Oct for an earlier application.

Btw, is your name actually Hala?

[BSmoove15]

You should retake in October 2015, and apply next cycle. It is unlikely that having 4 takes will harm your application; any negative effect will probably be outweighed by a score increase of even just a few points.

[msp8]

Oh and you've also made some really nice steady improvements. 4 pt leap each attempt. Aim for 173!

[prodigal.daughter]

My guess is that taking the LSAT in Oct. 2015 will not violate the 3-in-2-years policy, but just to be certain, you should definitely call LSAC to confirm. I'm sure they'd be happy to give you information that is undoubtedly more reliable than any of our guesses on here.

Also, I cannot imagine that taking the LSAT 4 times would look any "worse" to adcomms than taking the LSAT 3 times would. I say you're good to go, especially if you already regret not taking it again.

[hala92]

thank you for your inputs~ I think I will retake; I guess I will have to seriously promise my parents that this will be the last time!
To msp8: No, this is not my real name~ I am a foreigner, but it means nothing in my language either. is it funny or weird? I just randomly picked some letters.

[msp8]

haha, neither funny nor weird! I actually like the name, so I was just curious.

[CanadianWolf]

Based on your record:

161 in 2013

165 in 2014

169 in 2015

why not retake in 2016 for your 173 ?

[hala92]

Based on your record:

161 in 2013

165 in 2014

169 in 2015

why not retake in 2016 for your 173 ?

Haha~ I see it this way: Oct. 2013 to June 2014, 8 months. then to Feb. 2015, 8 months. So I guess my next bet shall be Oct.2015, still 8 months?

[appind]

you should certainly be eligible to take lsat again in sept/oct this year. if you're an international for whom english is not a primary language, then your lsat score is impressive. imo in your case multiple takes wouldn't have a negative impact as you showed consistent improvement in every take.