HELP! Take & Cancel?!

[reg4315]

Hello!

I just completed the full PowerScore in-class course. I originally expected to take the exam this Saturday, but have, throughout the course, realized that I would need more time to improve my score to get it where I want it to be.

That said, I know I CAN improve, it is just going to take me longer than others. In fact, this is the first standardized test that I feel I can actually "get." For the first three exams we took throughout the course, I maintained the same exact score, with a ton of frustration, after feeling like I was "getting" it - finally, on the fourth exam, I feel like I had a nice breakthrough and went up 7 points. That definitely helped validate that if I have more time, I can be where I need/want to be.

All that said, I am still registered to take the exam this September. I know I can take it again in December, but even with the 7 point bump, I am still 10 points below where I need/want to be. With that, I have NO intention of keeping the score I take on Saturday. The reason I'm considering sitting for it, is to get a sense of the environment, practice, etc., and regardless of how good I feel walking out, I know I'm not where I need to be and plan on cancelling - which I'm fine with (i.e., i'm not worried about feeling good about it, then second guessing my decision to cancel, etc.).

My question is, from an admission standpoint, does it look bad/will it hurt me to have a test cancellation on record? i.e., is the practice I'm getting worth having that seen by admissions? My background includes transferring schools, changing majors, graduating a semester late (by choice so I could pursue internships, etc.) so I'll already have a nice explanatory addendum on my applications.

Again, I already know it's not the right time to "take it, take it," so I really just want to know how much, if at all, it would hurt to cancel, and if so, if it is better just not to take it at all.

Thank you so much!!!!!! And good luck to everyone sitting for this Saturday's exam!!!!

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Reg,

A quick answer since the test is looming: the short answer is that No, a cancellation does not hurt you. BUT, why have it there if you already know for sure that you won't keep the score. So, if I were in your shoes, I would withdraw and not sit for the exam. It's a waste of your time and it puts a mark on your record that although it's harmless, doesn't need to be there.

Does that help? Please let me know. Thanks!

[reg4315]

Thank you Dave! and thank you for your quick reply given how close test day is - i agree and have been leaning that way! i thought sitting would help familiarize myself with the environment, but i think i can predict the environment well enough that it's not worth having that mark on there.

that said - we have until 11:59 tomorrow night to cancel, correct? i'll probably cancel tonight regardless, but just want to know all the details just in case (I've seen 24 hours before and 1159 the night before, and I can't get through to LSAC). Thank you again!

[Dave Killoran]

Correct, according to https://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/withdraw-test-registration, you have until 11:59PM Eastern time tonight to withdraw:

• "After the Test Date Change and LSAT Registration Refunds deadlines have passed, you will be able to withdraw your registration on the LSAT Status page of your LSAC.org account. This option will be available until 11:59 pm (ET) the night before the test. If you withdraw your registration, you will not receive a refund. You will be required to pay the full registration fee if you register for another test date."

And yes, you can replicate the exam environment easily enough that you don't need to go take the real thing to feel comfortable on test day. A withdraw is the right move here!

Thanks!