Should I re-take the LSAT?
Good question! As most everyone knows, many law schools are only honoring your top LSAT score. This tends to be more true as you descend the rankings, but there are also top-tier schools that claim to do this as well. I just attended a conference of pre-law advisors and admissions officers and learned that there is a lot of variety in approaches to applications. Some turn a blind eye to the problematic score, others try to figure out the “story” behind the multiple tests. One interesting fact is how little people generally improve between tests. While we’re clearly going to benefit from those who look at their LSAT score and decide they should have taken a course, for the majority of folks, they only improve a few points. To break that re-take score barrier, unless you either really did not prepare for your first test or you had a panic attack (or horrible proctor and testing experience), you’re going to have to dig deep. Whatever you did to prepare the first time did not work! Some issues to consider once you receive your score: 1. How did you prepare the first time? Are you willing to spend the time to do something very different this time? 2. Why do you think the test went badly? Was it just nerves? Or was it lack of familiarity with the test? 3. What’s the median score of the schools that you would be happy to go to? Do you have a GPA or something else on your resume that can boost your application’s standing? 4. What is the policy of the schools you plan to apply to? Do they average? Do they accept the highest score? 5. Did you really do much worse than you should have? What were you scoring on real practice exams? One great litmus test is to take another full practice exam. Add in one extra section between the first two (to recreate the true length of the exam), use a stopwatch, and give yourself no breaks. What is your score now? In general–though it was bemoaned over many a meal–the LSAT score reigns supreme. One advisor complained that “we need to stop referring to candidates as 165s or 172s — these people have names!” At the end of the day, the decision to re-take the LSAT is a personal one that requires brute honesty with your candidacy, true test-taking potential, and commitment to studying (and radically changing your approach to the process). If you only self-studied, you may have to consider taking a prep course or doing private tutoring. If you drank and/or partied considerably the first time around, consider cutting down or abstaining entirely while you study. Also, consider your inclination to experience testing fatigue: you really must be committed to re-studying for the LSAT (even on Saturday night) and not only alright, but enthusiastic with re-taking old PrepTests so that you can increase your speed, understanding, and accuracy. If all else fails, I hear a Magic 8-Ball is a great decider of tough life questions such as this one! Good luck!