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When should I retake the LSAT? I am NOT applying this cycle.

I took it for my first time in June and scored a 168 (messed up on a game). My practice test average has been a 170 since over 6 timed tests, all scores consistently within one point.

My goal is a 171, I would be VERY disappointed with anything below a 170 on a retake.

If I retake in September and don't get the score I want, then I only have one more retake, which I should probably save until June or September of next year (right before I plan to apply). Being done with it in September is obviously preferable to having it hang over my head until Christmas.

I guess I am also concerned that if I hold off until December I will get lax in my studying/run out of good materials and pay a penalty in the form of a point or two. Is this concern unfounded?

By waiting until December I would take a very casual approach. Do a few sections sporadically throughout the workweek, and one full LSAT most weekends until test day. If I take it September I have I guess 7 weeks, and would certainly plan to do 10 more timed full practice tests (1-2 per weekend) as well as occasional sections when free at work.

Anybody have input or advice from experience?

I'm applying next cycle and will probably take in December. Not a retaker, but I'd advise waiting. In terms of time, better to save a third take & get as consistent as possible. Sounds like you're in a good range to hit 171, but you can always improve. Nobody can help you not get too lax with your studying. You have to just want it enough. HTH!

I guess I am kind of curious as to whether people generally lose their lsat "skill" if they, say, took a one month hiatus from any study material, or if it is relatively easy to pick right back up where you left off

I vote December. When I was ~4 months out I looked at all the testing material I had and literally made a daily schedule. As in, "on June 11 I'm going to do prep test 43, section 1". I also did at least one full test per week, and 2 when it got closer to September.

PM for more info. I was in your situation last year with ~170-1 average after 6ish practices tests, although I only took the real thing once

nihility wrote:I guess I am kind of curious as to whether people generally lose their lsat "skill" if they, say, took a one month hiatus from any study material, or if it is relatively easy to pick right back up where you left off

I am deciding to retake after my original score of 160. I took my first exam in February 2016. After I decided I want to retake (made the decision in June), I took an initial diagnostic without looking at any material and scored a 162. Following that initial diagnostic I hovered in the low 160's for the first several weeks.

In sum, after 4 months off my score did not noticeably change. A higher tier score ~170 may suffer more quickly and significantly than a 160, but I do no think a month will present much of an issue.

SunDevil14 wrote:

nihility wrote:I guess I am kind of curious as to whether people generally lose their lsat "skill" if they, say, took a one month hiatus from any study material, or if it is relatively easy to pick right back up where you left off

I am deciding to retake after my original score of 160. I took my first exam in February 2016. After I decided I want to retake (made the decision in June), I took an initial diagnostic without looking at any material and scored a 162. Following that initial diagnostic I hovered in the low 160's for the first several weeks.

In sum, after 4 months off my score did not noticeably change. A higher tier score ~170 may suffer more quickly and significantly than a 160, but I do no think a month will present much of an issue.

Hey SunDevil, thank you for this post! Just the kind of experience I was looking to tap into. I am leaning toward December based on what you all have said. I most certainly can't justify taking BOTH september and december, so I might as well opt for December, take a little break this month or next, and begin seriously studying again thereafter.

Since you want to get 170 or more
you should take the test when you start getting 173-174 in some of your pts
I am sure 168 is really good and took a lot of efforts from your side, but you said you are not in a real hurry, so I suggest you keep on studying an hour a day plus doing pt every week or so, be consistent and take the test when you see the results you are looking for.

of course I encourage you to take some time off and have some fun and then return to preparing for the LSAT as if you never preped before.

Best of luck!

nihility wrote:When should I retake the LSAT? I am NOT applying this cycle.

I took it for my first time in June and scored a 168 (messed up on a game). My practice test average has been a 170 since over 6 timed tests, all scores consistently within one point.

My goal is a 171, I would be VERY disappointed with anything below a 170 on a retake.

If I retake in September and don't get the score I want, then I only have one more retake, which I should probably save until June or September of next year (right before I plan to apply). Being done with it in September is obviously preferable to having it hang over my head until Christmas.

I guess I am also concerned that if I hold off until December I will get lax in my studying/run out of good materials and pay a penalty in the form of a point or two. Is this concern unfounded?

By waiting until December I would take a very casual approach. Do a few sections sporadically throughout the workweek, and one full LSAT most weekends until test day. If I take it September I have I guess 7 weeks, and would certainly plan to do 10 more timed full practice tests (1-2 per weekend) as well as occasional sections when free at work.

Anybody have input or advice from experience?

I think it depends on whether you feel up to working intensely over the next month and a half, or if you'd rather take a more relaxed yet consistent approach over the next few months. It sounds like you'd probably do better with the latter, so I'd recommend December. You won't have as much pressure on yourself, and that may make it easier to analyze your weaknesses and see where you can improve.

It is important not to get lax with your studying. I think LSAT skills can deteriorate without consistent practice, but that can easily be avoided by sticking to a schedule.