November 2023 LSAT - Score Cancel?

[emilyt]

Hi PowerScore Team!

I’m in need of some advice Re: my most recent LSAT score. I have written the LSAT three times now: September 2022 (158), January 2023 (161), and November 2023 (159). I intended to improve my score on my most recent LSAT to strengthen my (Canadian) law school applications - I thought I could do better than a 161! In my practice tests leading up to the exam, I was consistently scoring in the mid 160’s (with a couple of PTs at 170). Unfortunately, I experienced horrific anxiety during the November 2023 exam and scored much lower than I had hoped (159). I’m now debating whether or not to keep my November 2023 score on file. I’m a little bit concerned given that my score has worsened since my last attempt. If you have any advice for me, it would be hugely appreciated!

Thanks so much,

Emily

[Luke Haqq]

Hi emilyt!

I can definitely make some suggestions based on what you explained. To your question about whether to keep or cancel the score, it seems to make sense to cancel it. I say that because you already have a higher score on file. It thus seems that there's little to gain from keeping the new score.

In addition, you could also consider taking the test again. That depends on a variety of things, like your schedule. If you are able to study just as hard or harder for a subsequent test, it is possible to raise your score. If you won't have the time to do so, then that's a strong reason against bothering to take it again.

But if you have the time, using PowerScore's materials plus doing as many timed tests as possible can be an effective way to increase your score. Beyond the techniques and tricks that the course materials unpack, they are also especially useful for drilling oneself on particular types of games, arguments, and reading comprehension passages. And I found that taking as many full, timed practice tests as possible (as well as then reviewing each test, understanding why the right answers are correct and incorrect ones are wrong) can be a great aid in reducing anxiety--hopefully the more tests you take, the more comfortable you'll feel with it on test day.