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 choyos22
  • Posts: 1
  • Joined: Aug 31, 2022
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#96947
Hi there!

I have been studying for the LSAT through PowerScore since the middle of May 2022; I took a virtual live course that went on from 5/25-7/27. I currently graduated with my Bachelors this May 2022 and started a full time job as well. I registered for the September 2022 but I'm considering on switching to October 2022 test, I am in a bit of a pickle because that would mean I would lose $215 I already paid and the deadline for the October test is tomorrow (Sept 1, 2022). I have taken a practice test a week since 7/27 and I have improved but not close to my preferred score. I am starting to get discouraged and frustrated which is not helping me improve so I am wondering if I should take the September LSAT purchase score preview and cancel my score then retake it in November or sign up for October 2022 take it then. I'm looking to apply by December 2022.
 Rachael Wilkenfeld
PowerScore Staff
  • PowerScore Staff
  • Posts: 1419
  • Joined: Dec 15, 2011
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#96964
Hi choyos,

It's normal to feel some test anxiety as the test date gets closer. You'll are really the only one who can decide if taking the test in September makes sense for you. Either way that money for the Sept test is spent. You just need to decide if you think it's worth your time and effort to take the test now, or if you'd rather save your energy for study leading up to October/November.

One thing to consider is how not close to your goal score you are. There is still room to improve between now and the September test, and often students find that they can push to improve that last bit in the final push to test day. However, if you are significantly far away from your goal and/or you don't think you can put in the time you'll need to improve, it might not make sense to take the September test.

On the other hand, there is some value to taking the September exam, even if you don't think your score will get to where you want it to be. First, you can get the experience of a real proctored exam, and have a low-stakes chance to work out the kinks in your testing system. You can make sure you have a good chair set-up and a comfortable place to take the exam, learn how the Proctor U system works, and get a sense of how your test score might change under the pressure of a real test. The real cost to the test is the time you put into the exam itself, and that it would count against your test limits set by LSAC.

For a lot of people, the most logical solution will be to take September as a practice run and then register for October or November when you'll be able to be more prepared. You have to be realistic with yourself about how much you can dedicate timewise to tests and study, and not rush the process. November is still quite early in the application season to have a final LSAT score.

One other note: There are no wrong decisions here. There are several reasonable options open, and you just have to pick the one that you think makes sense for you.

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