LSAT 4th Retake Questions! Forum

[170orDie]

December scores came in, didnt get the score I wanted.

My scores so far have been 162/160/164 with a gpa of about 3.57, I havent graduated yet so I believe it will go up to a 3.6 by graduation. However, I am not satisfied with my score. I know I am better than these scores. I have been strictly PTing at an average of 174, with my highest being 176. I have PT'd almost every test, I know this test. Yet, I choked on each exam, I am not sure what it is but during the real LSAT i struggle with finishing sections where in PT's i finish every section every time without a problem.

I know some haters are going to tell me that after 3 tests that the low 160s is my true range. However, I know it is not, in PT's I have not scored lower than a 171 in maybe 25 preptests. So with that being said, I need to know if the t14 namely the t6-8 will reject me because of my number of retakes. With my GPA i already assume HYS are out even without considering my number of LSATs however, I want to know if I still have a shot at Boalt, Columbia, NYU, even Cornell. Is it worth it to re-double down commit to one more test and apply next cycle? Or do I have no shot at these top law schools?

Thanks.

[ood]

Normally, you may not take the LSAT more than three times in any two-year period. This policy applies even if you cancel your score or it is not otherwise reported. LSAC reserves the right to cancel your registration, rescind your admission ticket, or take any other steps necessary to enforce this policy. However, you may retake the LSAT if a law school to which you are applying requires a more recent score than any you have on record, or approves your retaking the test, and the school provides LSAC with written proof of its requirement no later than the last day of registration for the test.

[Lucyfur]

Since you're still in school, I would recommend taking a year or two off once you graduate to gain some work experience. Once you are allowed by LSAC to take the LSAT again (you can only take 3 within a two-year period) and have some work experience, then you can take it again and apply. I'd recommend taking the February or June LSAT before your cycle so if you need another retake you can do that and still be able to get your apps in early. When the time comes for you to study again, try and determine what it is that makes you perform worse on the actual test date so you can hopefully avoid it next time around.

[mynameiskevin]

A fourth try will not necessarily hold things against you as long as you score high.
I personally know someone who got into Chicago and NYU with 4 exams, three of which had scores similar to yours, and the fourth of 170 (granted, he had near perfect GPA).

[pattyesq]

What was your PT range for all the tests you took (not just the average, and for all tests, not just 25)? Because I personally don't understand how someone with a PT average of 174 could score a 164 on the actual exam. I don't think nerves can account for that. I think it's worthwhile taking again only if you can evaluate why your scores drop so low and remedy the issue. For example, have you been taking the PT under strict testing conditions? This means only 35 minutes for each section, not taking a break after any sections but the third, and not bubbling in any answers after the 35 minutes is up. If not, there's your answer. Did you mess up on a section, like LG? Have you taken a PT in a proctored exam administered by Kaplan or any of the other test companies? How did you do on those exams?

Either way, with your scores now, you will probably be waitlisted or rejected at most of the top T14, and accepted by some of the lower T14, definitely Cornell. I wouldn't expect much money. If you're fine with that, then apply!