Go for it or withdraw? Forum

[uion1715]

Hello, TLSers.

I should have a 3.75-3.8 GPA by the end of the year (Finishing my last class). I am scheduled to take a June LSAT and have been aiming for 174/175 for a Hamilton/T14 full-ride numbers.

I have taken LSAT twice already, with 167 in September and 166 in December. But with more preps, I have gotten following PT scores: 171 in PT78, 177 in PT71, 174 in PT77 and 172 in PT73. Seems like I am hovering around 171-175 range, so I am expecting 170-172 for my June take.

I know there is no "three times in two years" rule anymore, but I still wonder if taking a test for the fourth time may look bad to admission committees. Should I prep more in the summer, or take the test in June and retake in September if my score isn't good enough?

I've taken around 15 PTs so far so I still have plenty of materials left if that's something to consider.

[dm1683]

I would postpone in your case. If your goal were 170+ or 172+ I would say go for it, but trying for a test day score a few points above your pt average is a tall order. Hell, my PT average is a few points above my goal score and I still considered postponing because I knew about the common test day drops (ultimately decided against it though). September isn't that far away and in three months you should be right in the range you want to be.

best of luck

[zkyggi]

I think it depends what kind of mistakes you are making. On your most recent PTs, where have your errors been?

[uion1715]

I think it depends what kind of mistakes you are making. On your most recent PTs, where have your errors been?

I have typically gone -1 to -3 on LG, -2/-3 on RC and -1 to -3 on each LR section (Which puts me around -8 to -10 on average).

LG mistakes come mostly from tricky substitution questions, RC... I don't see a trend beside fatigue later in the section (I think I do worse in "inferring" questions if there is a trend). My weakness in LR is in PSA/Weakening/Flaw questions, but not a huge trend (Difference in accuracy for those q. v. other q. are 5-10%).

BR generally gets me to the 175-179 range, for what it's worth.

[zkyggi]

I think it depends what kind of mistakes you are making. On your most recent PTs, where have your errors been?

I have typically gone -1 to -3 on LG, -2/-3 on RC and -1 to -3 on each LR section (Which puts me around -8 to -10 on average).

LG mistakes come mostly from tricky substitution questions, RC... I don't see a trend beside fatigue later in the section (I think I do worse in "inferring" questions if there is a trend). My weakness in LR is in PSA/Weakening/Flaw questions, but not a huge trend (Difference in accuracy for those q. v. other q. are 5-10%).

BR generally gets me to the 175-179 range, for what it's worth.

If you are shooting for 174-75, you should be -0 in LG. What kind of questions are you missing in LR? LR and LG are generally the ones you have the most control over during prep.

[uion1715]

I think it depends what kind of mistakes you are making. On your most recent PTs, where have your errors been?

I have typically gone -1 to -3 on LG, -2/-3 on RC and -1 to -3 on each LR section (Which puts me around -8 to -10 on average).

LG mistakes come mostly from tricky substitution questions, RC... I don't see a trend beside fatigue later in the section (I think I do worse in "inferring" questions if there is a trend). My weakness in LR is in PSA/Weakening/Flaw questions, but not a huge trend (Difference in accuracy for those q. v. other q. are 5-10%).

BR generally gets me to the 175-179 range, for what it's worth.

If you are shooting for 174-75, you should be -0 in LG. What kind of questions are you missing in LR? LR and LG are generally the ones you have the most control over during prep.

My 7Sage LR analytics:

http://imgur.com/a/fM6s0

It feels more like to me that I am missing those LR questions due to carelessness than a lack of understanding of certain topics.

[Platopus]

What was your PT average before your last 2 tests?

[uion1715]

What was your PT average before your last 2 tests?

173.

I have been averaging 172 in the 70s PTs.

[Platopus]

What was your PT average before your last 2 tests?

173.

I have been averaging 172 in the 70s PTs.

I would postpone then. If you were previously PTing in the low 170's but hit a 167 & a 166 you probably need a bigger buffer to actually crack 170 on the real deal.

[uion1715]

What was your PT average before your last 2 tests?

173.

I have been averaging 172 in the 70s PTs.

I would postpone then. If you were previously PTing in the low 170's but hit a 167 & a 166 you probably need a bigger buffer to actually crack 170 on the real deal.

Oh, 167/166 came before I started PTing and prepping. 173/172 has been my average scores since February when I have been more serious in my prep.

[Platopus]

What was your PT average before your last 2 tests?

173.

I have been averaging 172 in the 70s PTs.

I would postpone then. If you were previously PTing in the low 170's but hit a 167 & a 166 you probably need a bigger buffer to actually crack 170 on the real deal.

Oh, 167/166 came before I started PTing and prepping. 173/172 has been my average scores since February when I have been more serious in my prep.

My bad, seems like I misinterpreted what you posted. If you are comfortable with a 172 on the real deal and that score will be appropriate for your goals schools, then go for it. However, you mention the Hamilton and other T-14 scholarships, in which case, since your GPA is good but not great, you'll need higher than a 172 for these scholarships.

[zkyggi]

Removed post...