Good idea to only take the LSAT once? Forum

[TheKingLives]

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[Teoeo]

It depends on what score you get...

[somethingElse]

Honestly - probably not unless you score ~175+ (maybe a bit lower depending on your GPA/goals/circumstances).

[ponderingmeerkat]

Can't speak to your fee waivers, but I can tell you multiple takes on the LSAT is almost always the right answer.

The only way I'd go with one-and-done is if you hit your target score based on your target school's statistics right out of the gate. If you manage that feat, I could see the argument for not retaking. Most people give up on the LSAT because it's challenging/time-consuming and they get aggravated with their outcomes/give up. Being fed-up with the test is no excuse for applying with a less-than-ideal LSAT while still having "rounds in the chamber".

[personofinterest]

Generally no. For all schools except Yale and maybe H/S, all that matters is your highest LSAT. I found this to be true personally and this is the conventional wisdom. That said, you only get 3 LSATs every 2 years, so only take it if you think you can do well.

[Blueprint Mithun]

Hey TLS,

Excited to get into this crazy process of applying to Law School. I had some questions about taking the LSAT; I apologize if this has been asked before.

I really only want to take the LSAT once, and plan on taking it in September. Is it wise to only take the test once?

I was approved for a fee waiver, and in effect two LSAT registrations. If I don't feel confident enough to take the September LSAT, will withdrawing from the September LSAT "burn up" one of my two waived registrations, or do I get that free registration back?

There's no real advantage to taking it only once, unless you're completely satisfied with your score. That's one reason it's important to set a target score while you're preparing - based on your desired schools, and chances of getting in, pick the lowest score youd be happy with and prep to the point where you're at least consistently scoring at that level. But a lot of things can go wrong on test day, which law schools understand - a retake with improvement shows some dedication and grit.

[foxes]

Generally no. For all schools except Yale and maybe H/S, all that matters is your highest LSAT. I found this to be true personally and this is the conventional wisdom. That said, you only get 3 LSATs every 2 years, so only take it if you think you can do well.

h only cares about your highest lsat, i doubt s is any diff. maybe y cares. regardless, almost everyone benefits from retaking. if you underperformed *at all* on your first take, id take it again. best decision i ever made was to retake mine a couple yrs ago, i highly rec.

[RamTitan]

Momentary Highjack - What if said person has already studied for a year and thoroughly exhausted their prep materials (test repeats included)? Barring some sort of testday disaster, would you think what they get is what they get, or can more be done?

[carasrook]

In my opinion, you always COULD retake... unless you got a 180.

I know for a fact I won't hit 180, and surely not even close - but I've already spent six months of my life and every available test out there on this, and I don't plan on retaking unless something seriously goes wrong on test day.

I feel like TLS is filled with a lot of overachievers, which is great for motivation, but I think also sometimes makes me feel bad about my choices/scores/etc. Just sayin... studying for this test is HARD. It's a lot of work, and if you're okay with the score you get, I say take it and walk away.

But, of course, if you feel like you could do better and retaking is always in the back of your mind, retake. I'm just saying... do what you think is best for you!

[somethingElse]

In my opinion, you always COULD retake... unless you got a 180.

I know for a fact I won't hit 180, and surely not even close - but I've already spent six months of my life and every available test out there on this, and I don't plan on retaking unless something seriously goes wrong on test day.

I feel like TLS is filled with a lot of overachievers, which is great for motivation, but I think also sometimes makes me feel bad about my choices/scores/etc. Just sayin... studying for this test is HARD. It's a lot of work, and if you're okay with the score you get, I say take it and walk away.

But, of course, if you feel like you could do better and retaking is always in the back of your mind, retake. I'm just saying... do what you think is best for you!

Well you COULD retake a 180...No rule saying you can't have two 180s. And also, having two 180s would put you in pretty dang rare company. In fact, I don't think there is anyone known to have two. A few people have more than two, but nobody has exactly two that I/the general public is aware of.

But irregardless. IMO if you score a 176 or above (I shouldn't have said 175 above) then it is probably not worth a retake in basically any circumstance. A 176 puts you above every single school's 75th percentile.