Curious Dilemma

[gman]

As it stands I am currently scheduled to take the September LSAT and I do not believe that how I am currently scoring is good enough to get into any of the T14 schools. LSAC is also offering a field test this year where they are checking to see how the exam would go if it were done on tablets. By signing up for this exam you are given the chance to be reimbursed for any exam you sign up for following this Field Test. My question is whether or not I should postpone my September LSAT or would it be better to take the September LSAT and use my option of cancelling the score if I feel it did not go well with the opportunity to take the December LSAT with no financial burden?

[AthenaDalton]

Hi gman,

Interesting question. If your practice scores have consistently fallen within a 5-point range in the weeks leading up to the test, you'll likely score in that same 5-point range on the real test. If your practice scores are not where you'd like them to be, I'd recommend waiting to take the December LSAT.

If you take the December LSAT, you will still have time to apply for this year's regular admissions cycle. Plus, you'll have the benefit of knowing what your September tablet LSAT score was -- an opportunity to practice the real thing without needing to report that score to the schools you've applied to.

The one downside of waiting for the December LSAT is that you'll miss out on any early-decision deadlines. You also won't have much time to get your application in, so be sure to have everything ready to go -- essays, transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc -- before you get your score back.

Good luck!