Taking the LSAT the 4th Time. Please Read. Forum

[cornell]

Ok guys, so I've taken the LSAT 3 times already, first time on Sep07, second time Dec07, and the third time Sep09. I checked the LSAC website and it says "Normally, you may not take the LSAT more than three times in any two-year period."

So my question is, am I allowed to take the test again on June 2010 (next year), since it won't be included in that 2 year period. Has anyone here ever taken the LSAT 4 times?

Thanks...

[Shimmer649]

Sept 2007 to June 2010 is almost 3 years...you should be well past the 2 year cut off by then.

I am in a similar dilema:

Feb '08: 160
June '09: 161
Sept '09: 165

So it seems like I could retake in Feb '10. I'm wondering if the exact date of the test is the deciding factor - Feb 2, 2008 vs. Feb 7, 2010 would be 2 years and 5 days....this seems legit, right?

I walked away from the Sept thinking I couldn't have scored below a 168. I am just devastated. According to LSN, I will probably be waitlisted at my top school. 2 of my 6 number twins were waitlist, accepted but they didn't find out until May. And what about the other 4?? I have no way of knowing if they just gave up or were still waiting after May....

How do schools look at a 4th LSAT? (I'm applying to T30-40 mostly) I am thinking that if I get waitlisted, I will sign up for a retake in Feb to hopefully bump me off. This is definately not the position I was hoping to be in.

[bjf]

As far as I know, the three times in two years rule goes by month, not date.

[cornell]

I just sent LSAC an email regarding this issue, I'll report back here once I get their response.

[cornell]

Ok, here's the reply from LSAC

Thank you for your inquiry to LSAC:

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 test 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 requirements or approval no later than the last day of registration for the test.

In other words, you can select any 2 year period and there cannot be more than 3 tests taken within it.

So does that mean a yes? the person basically copy and pasted the rules from LSAC website....

[CordeliusX]

I dont want to get off-track, but how does it look?

I'm thinking I might retake in December, and if it sucks, then cancel it. I would take the test next June -and get all pumped up for it- and then reapply next year.

Do they hold that against you? (the cancelling, plus 3rd time LSAT)

[mlipsco]

I spoke with the Assistant Dean of Admissions at WUSTL, and she said that she simply sends a letter to LSAC anytime a legitimate prospective student wishes to retake the LSAT.

[d6025k]

I just took the Sept. 09 test and completely bombed it, I am beside myself with grief! So quick question, I will retake the test next summer and apply next fall, will the schools I apply to see all scores? or just the most recent? Thanks.

[cornell]

LOL can someone please get back to my original question?

[billyez]

This is a really simple question. Send an e-mail to a school you want to apply to asking for a waiver ans making it clear that you would like to apply there. I sent an e-mail like that on Friday and got a reply stating that they would do so today. It's not a big deal.

[cornell]

This is a really simple question. Send an e-mail to a school you want to apply to asking for a waiver ans making it clear that you would like to apply there. I sent an e-mail like that on Friday and got a reply stating that they would do so today. It's not a big deal.

Hey thanks, but that's not the question I have. I'm wondering if I could take the test the 4th time given the circumstance i described above.

[CordeliusX]

Again, dont want to change topic, but would like to know how cancelling looks, if you then go on to take a 3rd time... (I'm thinking December- cancel if its bad, then February or June to apply next year)

Would appreciate the info.

[frontside5]

LOL can someone please get back to my original question?

RC Fail.

[FloridaGirl]

This is a really simple question. Send an e-mail to a school you want to apply to asking for a waiver ans making it clear that you would like to apply there. I sent an e-mail like that on Friday and got a reply stating that they would do so today. It's not a big deal.

Hey thanks, but that's not the question I have. I'm wondering if I could take the test the 4th time given the circumstance i described above.

Yes.

[joe1424]

I really don't get why anyone would retake more than a couple of times. Don't you feel like you've hit the barrier of your innate ability yet?

[09042014]

I really don't get why anyone would retake more than a couple of times. Don't you feel like you've hit the barrier of your innate ability yet?

A lot of people are chokers who are able to score high but fall apart on test day. Though it seems many time their plan is to put even more pressure on themselves.

[Shimmer649]

I really don't get why anyone would retake more than a couple of times. Don't you feel like you've hit the barrier of your innate ability yet?

This sounds like that nagging voice in my head a little bit. However, I think there are plenty of situations that justify a retake especially because the LSAT is such a learnable test.

For me, a 160 in Feb 08 was a reasonable score for my level of preparation. However, it was still a bit low to get me into my top choice. So I retook a couple times and upped my score 5 points, now slightly above their 75%. But this is still quite dissappointing compared to my PTs. It's not a vanity exercise for me (well, not entirely). I don't need a 178 to make the schools I'm applying to consider my application. If I could get a 3-5 point bump from a retake, it could have a significant effect on my admissions cycle and might make a difference between an acceptance and a waitlist, not to mention $ offers.

To anyone considering a retake outside HYS - I really can't see the harm if you are able to improve your score. Especially if your numbers are borderline, like mine. I say go for it.

[Rocketman11]

I really don't get why anyone would retake more than a couple of times. Don't you feel like you've hit the barrier of your innate ability yet?

This sounds like that nagging voice in my head a little bit. However, I think there are plenty of situations that justify a retake especially because the LSAT is such a learnable test.

For me, a 160 in Feb 08 was a reasonable score for my level of preparation. However, it was still a bit low to get me into my top choice. So I retook a couple times and upped my score 5 points, now slightly above their 75%. But this is still quite dissappointing compared to my PTs. It's not a vanity exercise for me (well, not entirely). I don't need a 178 to make the schools I'm applying to consider my application. If I could get a 3-5 point bump from a retake, it could have a significant effect on my admissions cycle and might make a difference between an acceptance and a waitlist, not to mention $ offers.

To anyone considering a retake outside HYS - I really can't see the harm if you are able to improve your score. Especially if your numbers are borderline, like mine. I say go for it.

One poster on here just posted about how he got a 163 his first 3 tests, then in Sept 09 got a 179. I believe people like him are the exception and not the rule. I just don't think I can focus enough to take that test a 3rd time (much less a 4th!). Honestly I dont know how it looks to adcomms...

[Shimmer649]

Honestly I dont know how it looks to adcomms...

This the X factor that everyone wants to know.

[Helmholtz]

Honestly I dont know how it looks to adcomms...

This the X factor that everyone wants to know.

"Let’s say we see a 150, a 151 and then a 170. In that situation I would want to hear some explanation for why the person thinks there was that distinction, but assuming there was some sensible story — I don’t really have any presupposition about what that story should be, I just want to hear what the story is. Assuming there’s some sensible explanation there, I would not hesitate to put more weight on the 170.

Let’s say the pattern was a 165, a 167 and a 169. You can’t really go up usually too much on the LSAT — in general the people who take it multiple times score within two or three points. So you would expect someone who took it twice to go up two or three points, just from more familiarity with the test, all other things being equal. So taking it two more times and going up two more points, I would put more weight in that instance on the mean score, the 167. I would think that would actually be the one that’s more predictive.

We report the highest and look at all the scores because each situation is a little different. I do find it troubling when I see people taking it 4 or 5 times. I think it’s much smarter to prepare as well as you can, and take it once hopefully and let that be the end of it. Suppose something goes wrong — you’re sick, there’s a marching band, what have you — take it again if you think that was not reflective of your ability and that should really be the end of it. I mean, it’s possible that you’d have two pieces of really bad fortune back to back and you’d need to take it a third time, but it’s unlikely and you should give an explanation if that’s the case." -Michigan Dean of Admissions

[Rocketman11]

Honestly I dont know how it looks to adcomms...

This the X factor that everyone wants to know.

My guess is that outside of the T14 you are going to be fine. Inside the T14 it will depend on the individual school policy.

[gabletrained]

Noticed this post as I was digging for something regarding this topic. I too am retaking a fourth time. I have spoken with LSAC and the rule is that you CAN take the test a fourth time, but must be two years from the date of your first LSAT. For example, if your first test was June 2008, you would be able to take it again June 2010.

I have also spoken with the dean of the school I intend to apply (T30). He did not think it is unreasonable to take it a fourth time. They seem to realize that people make decisions to retake and may do poorly for various reasons. It is important to them to know why there is a large distinction between scores (if that is the case).

[jarofsoup]

call them and ask. I think if you try to enroll it should tell you when you are allowed to do it next.

[prelaw387]

Noticed this post as I was digging for something regarding this topic. I too am retaking a fourth time. I have spoken with LSAC and the rule is that you CAN take the test a fourth time, but must be two years from the date of your first LSAT. For example, if your first test was June 2008, you would be able to take it again June 2010.

I have also spoken with the dean of the school I intend to apply (T30). He did not think it is unreasonable to take it a fourth time. They seem to realize that people make decisions to retake and may do poorly for various reasons. It is important to them to know why there is a large distinction between scores (if that is the case).

gabletrained, what if your first test was sept 2007, and you want to take one in 2010 for the fourth time, that's not allowed? could you please clarify. thanks.

[autarkh]

You can take the test three times in a two year period. That includes cancellations, but not no-shows. If you get a waiver from a law school, you can retake for a fourth time in the two year period. The waivers are generally easy to obtain if you send a request to the admissions office of a law school to which you've applied. They send the waiver to LSAC, which then allows you to register by phone for the fourth administration.

Outside of the two year limitation, I believe it can be taken as many times as you want.