Scantron Mistake Addendum

[jrc3813]

I got a 164 on the September LSAT which is below my PT average of around 168-170 and was pretty bummed so I'm retaking in December. But when looking over my scantron today I saw that I filled in 26 bubbles on a 27 point section, so at some point I skipped a question and got off on my bubbling. I haven't checked my answers yet so I don't know the full extent of the damage but it could be at least several points. Obviously this is a dumb mistake but if my December test score is significantly better should I write an addendum explaining this? I understand that making a mistake like that isn't a great look so I'm not sure what to do.

[Dave Killoran]

Hi JRC,

Damn, I'm sorry to hear that happened to you. It's the worst to realize afterwards that your score wasn't the result of missing questions, but rather of a simple bubbling mistake.

I think it depends on how big the score differential is after you receive your December scores. If you score in the 160s again, there's no need to explain that difference—it's not big enough to raise any questions. If you score past 172, then I could see adding a short explanation, but even then it's not necessary. Schools only care about the high score, so they will be happy to see that new, higher score.

Here's what you could do: if you have put in any apps yet, send the schools a note that says that you are retaking the LSAT in December due to a bubbling error. Short, simple, and if you can toss in any light humor (such as "You can be sure I'll checking every bubble this time" or something similarly light-hearted) that would be good too.

Beyond that, it's not a big issue. Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!

[jrc3813]

Hi JRC,

Damn, I'm sorry to hear that happened to you. It's the worst to realize afterwards that your score wasn't the result of missing questions, but rather of a simple bubbling mistake.

I think it depends on how big the score differential is after you receive your December scores. If you score in the 160s again, there's no need to explain that difference—it's not big enough to raise any questions. If you score past 172, then I could see adding a short explanation, but even then it's not necessary. Schools only care about the high score, so they will be happy to see that new, higher score.

Here's what you could do: if you have put in any apps yet, send the schools a note that says that you are retaking the LSAT in December due to a bubbling error. Short, simple, and if you can toss in any light humor (such as "You can be sure I'll checking every bubble this time" or something similarly light-hearted) that would be good too.

Beyond that, it's not a big issue. Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!

Thank you! That's good to know.

[dpolkow]

I found this thread because i realized on my scantron that i had answered 27 questions, in a section that only had 26. I did not realize this until we were in a later section so i could not look back and correct my mistake. I have already taken the test, and performed well, but slightly under my expected score. This test was to try to improve on that.

Ultimately I believe that if misbubbled, it would only be on the last page of that section. I am really unsure of what to do!

[Dave Killoran]

Hey D,

This is always a tough one, and usually you'd say wait until your scoresheet comes back to determine whether you made an error. But with this being nondisclosed, that's not an option that will help. If you keep your score, you can ask them to check your scoresheet and describe the problem above. They may hit you with the handscoring fee (around $100) but I have seen scores changed in the past if they determine a legitimate error was made. so if you had a gap in your answers, and 27 was the last one you filled in in a 26 question section, they'd very likely adjust your answers back one after the blank. I've seen it before.

Does that help?