About the LSAT

Ein

To those who know, are in law school, or have experience with the test:

I took my LSAT in October, got a 159. I wasn't very pleased with the score, as I was hoping I'd do better.

I took a practice LSAT (a copy of the June 06 one) yesterday, and managed a 163.

I don't know if I should sign up to take the Feb. LSAT and try again or not, and I'm struggling with the decision. My GPA's at around a 3.1, so I think a higher LSAT score might help me get into a good law school... but I don't know.

I need advice.

Helios

I got the exact same score as you in December and I've signed up for the Feb. one. I've been told it can't really hurt and possibly really help.

Most lawyers I've talked to that have taken it twice have said it really helps to know what to expect, and makes the second time easier.

Thanatos

Keep in mind that most law schools will average your scores. So, you need a 2-point improvement the second time in order to get a 1-point improvement to your actual score. If you really think you can do that much better, go for it.

Something to keep in mind, though, is that those practice tests aren't always entirely accurate. I was scoring well into the 170s on most of those (173-177 for the most part), and ended up with a 168.

LB

I just finished applying to law schools and a good portion of them said that rather than averaging, they look at both scores but count the highest score most heavily. I would retake it, if you think can do better.

fightinfilipino

Thanatos wrote:

Keep in mind that most law schools will average your scores. So, you need a 2-point improvement the second time in order to get a 1-point improvement to your actual score. If you really think you can do that much better, go for it.

like LB pointed out, the law schools are no longer taking the average but the higher scores now. also, the practice tests that the LSAC offers are the real tests administered in previous years, but on test day, time flows a hell of a lot differently than in a typical practice situation where you're somewhere comfortable and not feeling too pressured.

i'm also going to take the Feb exam. was originally going to take the December test but my scores were not where i wanted them to be. that being said, you should take the Feb exam if you are looking to apply sooner rather than later. June's exam is introducing a new reading passages section where, instead of the usual four passages, you now have two regular passages and then two passages with one set of comparative questions for thw two passages. i don't have to explain why this will be a royal pain in the ass. it's also significant enough that you'd probably want to wait until the September exam to figure the new test out, and at that point you're under the gun again for apps.

does a higher LSAT score help you in admissions? absolutely. do what you can to improve it.