Took the LSAT Twice, Both Low Scores, Should I Apply?

[Sam17]

First off, I won't disclose my scores on this discussion.

I took the LSAT twice and both were low scores. My second score is lower than the first. Both way below the medians of my top school choices. My first attempt was the June 2017 exam. I studied using the Princeton Review online course. When I got my first score, I was disappointed that it was low. I decided to go for another attempt, but wanted a break from all that studying. I decided for my second attempt, I will register for the February 2018 exam. I realized it was undisclosed but I needed time to study. Starting from September 2017, I studied using the PowerScore Bible Trilogy. It was so much help and I learned a lot. I took practice exams every weekend and review them the next day. I was so confident using PowerScore after seeing my practice scores. However, after I got my scores from the February 2018 LSAT, I scored 3 points below from my first attempt. I was really disappointed.

I am now contemplating a third attempt. But I really want to get the ball rolling on admissions. I read somewhere that with low scores, you can still apply early-decision with an addendum. I want to do that but still want to improve my score before I apply. I don't have the motivation to study now, but want to start applying with my scores for the next cycle.

What can be done in my situation? Should I just apply?

[Jonathan Evans]

Hi, Sam,

Thanks for reaching out to us here and for sharing your circumstances. If you're looking for early decision for fall 2019 admissions, you should absolutely get the ball rolling assembling your application (your letters of recommendation and the CAS Law School Report). It sounds like you need a break from the LSAT!

The good news is even if you're doing early decision, there's still time before many deadlines to get another LSAT in if you wish to take it again. For instance, if your law school's early decision deadline is November 15, you could take either the June, July, or September LSAT and submit it with your application. You could of course submit an application even earlier than that with your existing LSAT and an addendum. That choice is ultimately yours. It is frustrating that the February test is undisclosed inasmuch as you cannot diagnose your performance on it. However, if you feel as though you performed below your average, you might consider the February test a dry run for June or July, when you could approach the exam with greater confidence. Getting the rest of your application done in the mean time could give you a clear slate for tackling LSAT preparation for June or July.

PowerScore's Jon Denning has an excellent primer/FAQ for students considering retaking the LSAT.

https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/should ... e-the-lsat

I encourage you to read it and above all remain confident. There's no rule about what order you have to do your application in, especially when you're still pretty far out from your deadlines. Please follow up with further questions.

[Sam17]

Hi, Sam,

Thanks for reaching out to us here and for sharing your circumstances. If you're looking for early decision for fall 2019 admissions, you should absolutely get the ball rolling assembling your application (your letters of recommendation and the CAS Law School Report). It sounds like you need a break from the LSAT!

The good news is even if you're doing early decision, there's still time before many deadlines to get another LSAT in if you wish to take it again. For instance, if your law school's early decision deadline is November 15, you could take either the June, July, or September LSAT and submit it with your application. You could of course submit an application even earlier than that with your existing LSAT and an addendum. That choice is ultimately yours. It is frustrating that the February test is undisclosed inasmuch as you cannot diagnose your performance on it. However, if you feel as though you performed below your average, you might consider the February test a dry run for June or July, when you could approach the exam with greater confidence. Getting the rest of your application done in the mean time could give you a clear slate for tackling LSAT preparation for June or July.

PowerScore's Jon Denning has an excellent primer/FAQ for students considering retaking the LSAT.

https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/should ... e-the-lsat

I encourage you to read it and above all remain confident. There's no rule about what order you have to do your application in, especially when you're still pretty far out from your deadlines. Please follow up with further questions.

Thanks so much Johnathan. I really do need a break from the LSAT. I was contemplating a third attempt but don't know if I should go through with another torment of studying. But yes I will definitely get the ball rolling for early-decision.