LSAT retake 9 points lower! Have I messed up big time?

[futuristic]

I took my LSAT retake with the flu and ended up scoring 9 points lower than my first take...164 to 155. I couldn't focus clearly and obviously should have just cancelled/withdrawn instead of powering through it. But I thought maybe I did better than I thought and was clearly wrong. Have I completely messed up now? Can I get into schools with a 164 median or will they think that score is a fluke? If I wasn't sick I think I would have done much better. Do you I think should write an addendum? I don't plan on retaking it.

[Dave Killoran]

I took my LSAT retake with the flu and ended up scoring 9 points lower than my first take...164 to 155. I couldn't focus clearly and obviously should have just cancelled/withdrawn instead of powering through it. But I thought maybe I did better than I thought and was clearly wrong. Have I completely messed up now? Can I get into schools with a 164 median or will they think that score is a fluke? If I wasn't sick I think I would have done much better. Do you I think should write an addendum? I don't plan on retaking it.

Hi Futuristic,

Good news: you are just fine! Law schools only care about the high score since that is what they report to the ABA (which is then used for rankings).

Since you have such a good reason for what happened, I'd submit a score addendum with a simple explanation of what happened with your 155. That will answer any basic human curiosity they have about your scores, and will put the issue to rest.

Relax and enjoy the holidays!