How to go about choosing to rewrite/ When to rewrite

[UWOSTUDENT1996123]

Hi powerscore,

I just wanted to get an opinion on something after receiving my score this morning.

I purchased the powerscore bibles in mid August in preparation for the November exam. By November I was regularly practicing in the mid 160s prior to the test-- consistently between 162-166. During the test there was a room rented beside us to a band which I believe had a negative effect on my score. I ended up with a 159- within my range but not up to my potential.

I am currently in university and will be finishing my December final exams around the 20th.

I have used pretty much all the practice tests from 55-80 in my preparation for this test and have not looked at any LSAT materials since my write on November 17th.

My question is-- If I choose to rewrite in January - would roughly December 20th-January 26th be adequate time to re set and prepare for a rewrite? I will have no responsibilities over Christmas break and very little work the first couple weeks of the new semester in January, so I feel I would be able to dedicate roughly 20 hours per week to preparing.

if so, What is the best way to go about preparing for a rewrite? I only will have 80-84 for "new" prep tests. What is the best way to review the bibles concepts in a shortened period of time.


I greatly appreciate any response/advice.

[Dave Killoran]

Hi powerscore,

I just wanted to get an opinion on something after receiving my score this morning.

I purchased the powerscore bibles in mid August in preparation for the November exam. By November I was regularly practicing in the mid 160s prior to the test-- consistently between 162-166. During the test there was a room rented beside us to a band which I believe had a negative effect on my score. I ended up with a 159- within my range but not up to my potential.

I am currently in university and will be finishing my December final exams around the 20th.

I have used pretty much all the practice tests from 55-80 in my preparation for this test and have not looked at any LSAT materials since my write on November 17th.

My question is-- If I choose to rewrite in January - would roughly December 20th-January 26th be adequate time to re set and prepare for a rewrite? I will have no responsibilities over Christmas break and very little work the first couple weeks of the new semester in January, so I feel I would be able to dedicate roughly 20 hours per week to preparing.

if so, What is the best way to go about preparing for a rewrite? I only will have 80-84 for "new" prep tests. What is the best way to review the bibles concepts in a shortened period of time.


I greatly appreciate any response/advice.

Hi UW!

Thanks for the update, and sorry about the score. I'd bet anything that the band next door had an adverse on how you performed, which is just not fair.

Given what you've said about your PT average, I'd tend towards a retake, and have the following thoughts on that:

• * With the focus on using solely your high score, and the importance of the LSAT in this process, anything you can do to raise your score (especially on the magic 160 cusp) is important. See: Do Law Schools Average LSAT Scores Or Use The High Score? and Does submitting an early law school application improve your chances?. It's a topic I discuss frequently in public, and all admissions experts agree that a later score that is higher is preferable to an earlier but lower score.
  
  * The time off doesn't worry me at at all, and could very well help! See: Why Breaks From The LSAT Can Increase Your Score.
  
  * You can use older LSATs without concern, and 55 isn't really that far back anyway. More here: Should You Avoid Older LSATs?. I'd go backwards from 54 and then certainly do 80 to the present as well. Trust me, you'll find tons of hard LR, LG, and RC, and things like LG are probably harder back then than they are today
  
  * Also, my thoughts on preparing for a retake: Retaking the LSAT? What To Do Differently To Raise Your Score
  
  * Last, there's some value in preparing a bit less, and less intensely. Just the greater chill factor can put you mentally at ease and unlock your abilities!

Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!

[UWOSTUDENT1996123]

I will be sure to give all of these a read in the coming weeks. Thanks for the great advice and all the help with the power score bibles, they were amazing! Considering I had a diagnostic of 142 in August a 159 is already a significant jump in a little over 3 months. I look forward to re writing in January and sharing my results!


Thanks again!