Top Law Schools

Hello,

how does Penn view multiple LSAT scores....highest or average ? Thats my goal school ... I'm debating whether or not to take in December but had a poor showing the first time around at a 154 in June 2014..........given the low score on the first attempt what's the best advice on when to retake......Lets say i take it in December 2014 and get a 166 and decide to sit out a cycle and get a 172 on the third time..how would that affect my chances?

What would look better a 154, 166, 172
or a 154, 172

I know I am probably overthinking it but I would believe the 154, 172 would look better even if the schools do take the highest because the two lower scores (154, 166) would detract from the 172

I would be interested in hearing from those who have applied to Penn or are planning on it

Q. If I took the LSAT more than once, does the Admissions Committee consider the average or the higher LSAT score?

All LSAT scores are noted by the Admissions Committee and are part of the application evaluation. If there are circumstances that you believe affected your performance on a prior test, we encourage you to provide a supplemental essay explaining those circumstances. The Admissions Committee will consider such information and may, at its discretion, evaluate your application based on the higher (or highest) LSAT score.

https://www.law.upenn.edu/admissions/jd/faqs.php#lsat

Only retake when you're ready, which means your PT average is at or above the score you want.

why would you take the lsat when you expect mid 160s and you're shooting for penn?

wait until you're ready to take it

Test day scores often fall below PT scores and expectations ( take it from a guy that found out the hard way the first time).......so even if i "expect" to get a 170 in December I may not get it.....I think I have a decent chance at a 170 based off my performance in timing sections and my last PT so its a possibility

If lets say in late November I'm PTing at a 171-172 level would you take the risk of taking the exam even if it could fall in the 166-167 range on exam day

I'm thinking an applicant would look better just taking it twice with a 154 and 172 compared to a 154, 166, 172 but I could be wrong

I called Penn and Colombia a few weeks ago and they said they only care about the highest and a lower score on a second try would not count against me if I took a third time.

Even if the schools say they just take the highest....I was just wondering if there was any data on admissions for third time test takers and how those scores are viewed compared to a person who just takes it twice

MattM wrote:Test day scores often fall below PT scores and expectations ( take it from a guy that found out the hard way the first time).......so even if i "expect" to get a 170 in December I may not get it.....I think I have a decent chance at a 170 based off my performance in timing sections and my last PT so its a possibility

If lets say in late November I'm PTing at a 171-172 level would you take the risk of taking the exam even if it could fall in the 166-167 range on exam day

I'm thinking an applicant would look better just taking it twice with a 154 and 172 compared to a 154, 166, 172 but I could be wrong

If you'd be fine with a 171 or a 172 and you're consistently PTing at that level, then go for it.
There's always a risk something could go wrong. The proctor could mess up. You could read a rule wrong on the games. You could get manic diarrhea and have to run to the bathroom in the middle of a section.

Don't consider what looks good and looks bad to adcomms, when it really doesn't matter. A 172 is a 172.
If you are PTing consistently at 171-172, then take it.
If you are PTing consistently at 166-167 (with a goal of 171-172), then don't take it.
It's very simple.

they dont give a shit