Which test do I take?

[wannallvh]

Hello!

I took my first time PT last week with no studying and scored a 151. I am now trying to decide the rigor and length of my study time before taking the test. My original plan was to take the Sept LSAT, which would give me two months of studying. I was happy with my first PT score and feel that with familiarizing myself with the test and tactics to improve, I should be able to reach my goal score of 165. I would love to score higher but right now my top two schools are UNC Chapel Hill and Wake Forest. I want to stay in state or at least in surrounding states (GA, TN) and want to go to a top 50 school. I am graduating in Dec and am only taking 10 hours this last semester but am also writing my honors thesis. I feel like I can get a decent amount of studying done for the Sept test but it would be less of a schedule as I am traveling and working about 30 hours a week until mid August when school begins. I have all PowerScore bibles and multiple actual practice test books and that is it so far.

My biggest question is if I study as much as I can and take the Sept test and am not happy enough with my score and retake in Dec, how will this affect my chances of getting in? Does taking the test twice look bad to law schools? I have more of a schedule during the school year and feel like I could get more done with more structure in my day and also working less and being able to spread studying out from now until Dec as opposed to now until Sept. But I do not want to slack with having more time and not score well in Dec and then feel rushed and somewhat out of luck for taking the test Feb 2016. I would love to have all my apps in my Jan 2016.

It would be great to take the Sept test with studying as much as I can these next two months, see how I did, and then retake in Dec if needed. I just have heard various things about retaking the test and wanted to see how that would affect my chances.

Also, with an initial score of 151, is it attainable for me to score in the 165 range? I would love a 170+ (who wouldn't??) but am also trying to be somewhat realistic with my moderately busy schedule I feel confident that I can allot about 2-3 hours of good studying a day but cannot do 6+ hours like some can! Thanks!

[Adam Tyson]

First things first - Go Heels!

For the most part, there is no downside to taking the test a second time. Schools do not average your scores or look down on students who take the test more than once. What they care about is your high score - that's what they report and what affects their all-important rankings. So, if you take in September and aren't satisfied, you can retake in December and you're good to go. If you are satisfied, you can be done with it and focus on your application and your undergrad studies instead.

Based on where you are and what you've said about your availability, I think your goal is realistic and attainable. It won't be easy - a 14 point increase, at that range in the scoring scale, involves a lot of work (as opposed to starting out much lower, where 14 points may be just about grasping a few basics). If you put in the time and effort, maintain a steady and consistent study plan, take a reasonable number of practice tests and take the time to analyze them to learn from your successes and your mistakes, you can do it.

There may be a downside to putting off to December - what if you aren't satisfied then? Now you have missed a few deadlines and are hoping to get in to the few remaining seats they may have open. If you prepare now for September and build your study plan accordingly, you are more likely to see those increases come sooner than you would if you took a more leisurely approach and prepared now for December. Two months isn't a rush, but it isn't leisurely either.

I say go for it, with the mindset that you are going to crush it and be done with it. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!