Another October/December Dilemma Forum

[rfc180]

Hello TLS. Long time lurker, first time poster.

I am sure the regulars on this forum have grown tired of this question, but I was hoping to get your thoughts on whether I should sit in October or wait until December. Here is my dilemma:

My goal is 170 (preferably a few points above that threshold). I have been self-studying since late-May. First cold diagnostic was a 146. Since then I have been studying 3 to 4 hours a day, 7 days a week. Improvement has been slow, but steady, and now I am averaging between 166-168. I plan on taking the test three times in order to maximize my score -- unless I hit 174+ on one of my first two takes. I am back at school now and I am quickly realizing how difficult it is to juggle LSAT and school work. I have above a 3.9 GPA, and I am not endowed with the ability to perform well academically without making a substantial time commitment. However, I am getting by, and my LSAT preparation seems to be progressing without a hitch. Originally, I was planning on sitting in December, February (if necessary), and June (if necessary). However, this spring I am enrolled in 18 credit hours and I am beginning to doubt my ability to prepare for the LSAT while taking that many credit hours (I am enrolled in 13 this fall). Additionally, I am planning on taking a year off and working/traveling after I graduate in May, so I do not foresee having time to prepare for October '16 either. My question is this: given my situation, should I sit in October '15, and plan on using December and February as back ups despite not quite being ready? I feel like I am close to where I want to be, and by the time October rolls around I may be closer. However, I also do not want to rush anything.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer me.

[gnomgnomuch]

Hello TLS. Long time lurker, first time poster.

I am sure the regulars on this forum have grown tired of this question, but I was hoping to get your thoughts on whether I should sit in October or wait until December. Here is my dilemma:

My goal is 170 (preferably a few points above that threshold). I have been self-studying since late-May. First cold diagnostic was a 146. Since then I have been studying 3 to 4 hours a day, 7 days a week. Improvement has been slow, but steady, and now I am averaging between 166-168. I plan on taking the test three times in order to maximize my score -- unless I hit 174+ on one of my first two takes. I am back at school now and I am quickly realizing how difficult it is to juggle LSAT and school work. I have above a 3.9 GPA, and I am not endowed with the ability to perform well academically without making a substantial time commitment. However, I am getting by, and my LSAT preparation seems to be progressing without a hitch. Originally, I was planning on sitting in December, February (if necessary), and June (if necessary). However, this spring I am enrolled in 18 credit hours and I am beginning to doubt my ability to prepare for the LSAT while taking that many credit hours (I am enrolled in 13 this fall). Additionally, I am planning on taking a year off and working/traveling after I graduate in May, so I do not foresee having time to prepare for October '16 either. My question is this: given my situation, should I sit in October '15, and plan on using December and February as back ups despite not quite being ready? I feel like I am close to where I want to be, and by the time October rolls around I may be closer. However, I also do not want to rush anything.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer me.

With a 3.9 GPA, I'd recommend you study until you're comfortably hitting a few points above your target. If your target is a 170, aim for a 173+ consistently over like 10 diagnostics in a row - a lot of people score lower than their PT's. You're in a position where your GPA is enough to land a Ruby/Hamilton, and admission to HYS. Don't throw away ten's of thousands of dollars (and even more) in scholarship money by settling for a 'lower' LSAT.

This means that if it takes you another year to get that score, take the time and do it. GL

[hairbear7]

I agree with all of the above. Don't take the text until you are absolutely ready

[rfc180]

Thanks for the responses!

Given that I would probably not have the opportunity to take it again after February, and thus only being able to take it twice, I would still be better off waiting until December? For numerous personal reasons, I am not going to take more than a year before going to law school after graduation this May. Therefore, February will probably be my last opportunity, unless I can find a healthy work/study balance while preparing for the October '16 test (which I would rather not do, I would like to have a life for the 12 months prior to law school). I will admit that I am leaning towards to deferring to December, but I just wanted to get feedback prior to making a final decision.

[Rigo]

Would you be able to keep up your momentum until December? That will be around finals time too, no?

[rfc180]

Would you be able to keep up your momentum until December? That will be around finals time too, no?

Finals start 9 days after the LSAT. But there will be a few semester long projects that I will be wrapping up the week before the LSAT. I am not sure if I will be able to maintain my momentum or not. I think I will, but then again I am just not sure until I try. The timing of the December test is one of the reasons I am even considering the October test. There isn't much going on at that point in the semester. But, then again, being fully prepared (which I hope to be, but still may not, by December), is probably more important? Any thoughts?

[seashell.economy]

I'm in the same position: good GPA, pt-ing at 166-168, tons of work to do this semester, and won't take more than a year off school.

Study as hard as you can and sit this October. If you can study more and your pt's are inching up higher, sit for December. If neither score satisies you for this application cycle, keep studying all summer and into fall and use your third lsat take for next October.

Don't use your third take for February, that's late in the game. Wait for next year's cycle.

[rfc180]

I'm in the same position: good GPA, pt-ing at 166-168, tons of work to do this semester, and won't take more than a year off school.

Study as hard as you can and sit this October. If you can study more and your pt's are inching up higher, sit for December. If neither score satisies you for this application cycle, keep studying all summer and into fall and use your third lsat take for next October.

Don't use your third take for February, that's late in the game. Wait for next year's cycle.

Seashell, good to hear from someone in a similar predicament. I think the only difference in our situations is I do not think I will be able to take the test again next year -- so, if I am not satisfied with my score after February, I am stuck with it. What I cannot decide is whether it is better to take it twice (Dec and Feb) being as prepared as possible, or plan on taking it all three times hoping that, despite not being fully prepared by Oct., I do well.

Anyway, thanks for the advice. I need to make a decision soon!

[Clearly]

Stop this shooting for a retake nonsense, there is no experience gained by taking the test too early. It's foolish. If you want a174, you study until you are scoring 175+ on nearly every timed PT. Then you take it once, twice if you choke on test day.