Retake December

[mbrosen100]

Hi All-
I took the LSAT in September and scored 160 after PTing around a 164-166. I was determined to increase the score and after PTing around a 165-167, scored exactly a 160 again in September. I felt confident, but am now realizing my weak LR spots didn't improve (-12 total) and my RC is still hovering around -10. I usually score -1/-0 on LG, but on test day it's been -2/-3.

I have a 3.81 from GW (double major) and a solid resume (6 undergrad internships, full time position at a Fortune 100 company currently). I'm confident in my personal statement and letters of recommendation.

My top school is BU. My GPA is over their 3.73 75th percentile, but their 25th percentile LSAT is a 161.

Thoughts on (1) my current ability to get accepted as is (2) my likelihood of being able to increase me score 2-3 points?

[Dave Killoran]

Hi M,

Thanks for the questions! Let's start with your second question first, because as I read through this, I had one overriding thought: I hope this ends with talking about a retake. Given your past practice scores, I'd say the likelihood is quite high that you can grab those extra points (and more). You've proven you can score significantly higher in the past, and you have a good sense of what you need to study going forward. That's a great combination, and tells me that your past two experiences were with tests that were bad for you (see The LSAT Casino, and note also that June and September were actually quite similar as far as exams go). So, my advice is very strongly to retake the test in December. There's no harm in it, and quite a bit of upside!

As far as BU, your current chances are under 50%. Low GPAs are easier for law schools to offset than low LSAT scores, and so this puts you in a tough position from the start. With your numbers, you are in the Reverse Splitter category, and some schools are more friendly to Reverse Splitters than others. Boston University is in the middle, and so my estimation is based on your straight numbers. Your softs help, but your LSAT score is holding you back, so I'd say you have about a 40-45% of acceptance (which means it's still possible obviously). There won't be much in the way of financial aid though, probably.

Not to beat a dead horse, but go take the LSAT again and if you get a better test for your skillset alignment (which is likely after two bad tests for you) it will completely change your chances at BU.

Also, look for my next few articles on our LSAT Blog (http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat). Tuesday's article will be about who should retake the LSAT (and you'll see the group you belong to mentioned in there) and the following week will be a deep discussion of how to go about studying for a retake.

Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!

[mbrosen100]

Dave,

THANK YOU SO MUCH. The LSAT Casino turned out in my favor (a harder LG and easier RC) resulting in my reaching a 170!!! I could not have done it without the powerscore books! I went up from an original PT of 157 to averaging around a 167 to reaching that 170 on test day!

[Adam Tyson]

Whoo-hooo! Great job! Enjoy life on Commonwealth Ave, and give my regards to Copley Square! Go Terriers!