Questions about Retakes

[PNWAngelou]

Hi,

I have a couple of questions regarding retakes and how schools view applicants with multiple scores.

I plan to apply to one particular school, which has a median LSAT score of 162. I have taken the LSAT three times this past year, increasing my score with each take. I most recently scored a 159 on the July test. I decided to register for the August test with hopes of snagging a couple of extra points before I apply for early decision in the fall.

- Would my score of 159 be a stretch for a school with a median of 162? My GPA meets the school's median.

- Will a fourth (or, if needed, fifth) try affect my chances of getting into school?

I would really appreciate any advice you may have. Thank you!

[Stephanie Oswalt]

Hi PNWAngelou,

Thanks for the post. A few things that may help.

First, I would recommend that you use one of our favorite resources for researching data on nearly all of the ABA-approved schools in North America: LSAC's LSAT/GPA Calculator. This tool allows you to input your undergraduate GPA and your highest LSAT score, and get feedback on where each stands relative to attendees at individual schools, as well as your likely odds of duplicating that result on those figures.

In addition, please keep in mind that the "soft" elements of your application (resume, personal statement, etc.) of your application are extremely important, particularly if your numerical stats (LSAT and GPA) fall below the school's 75th percentile. When you're not a near-certainty for admission based on your numbers, but a school is still interested in you for potential admission, then those "soft" elements become very important. They are what will separate you from the rest of the "maybes" and will turn you into a "yes".

Also, as for taking the LSAT multiple times, it is common for students to take the LSAT multiple times, and the reality is that law schools really only care about your highest score, as this is what they have to report to the ABA. This Podcast is helpful in aiding your retake decision: Episode 2: Retaking the LSAT Part I - Pros and Cons. (p.s. at about the 50-minute mark, Dave and Jon talk about how many scores may be too many, which they estimate at 6. So, 4 or 5 times should be fine, especially if you see an increase!)

Below are some helpful resources when it comes to retaking:
https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/the-be ... ice-tests/
https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid-15 ... ice-tests/
https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/how-to ... are-stuck/
https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/retaki ... our-score/
Episode 3: Retaking the LSAT Part II - How to Study

I hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any additional questions! Thanks!

[Dave Killoran]

Hi PNW,

A few extra thoughts, just to add on to the excellent information Stephanie linked for you

I plan to apply to one particular school, which has a median LSAT score of 162. I have taken the LSAT three times this past year, increasing my score with each take. I most recently scored a 159 on the July test. I decided to register for the August test with hopes of snagging a couple of extra points before I apply for early decision in the fall.

- Would my score of 159 be a stretch for a school with a median of 162? My GPA meets the school's median.

It puts you at a disadvantage, for sure. I had a Dean once tell me that the key thing was to just hit the 50th% median. Hitting the 75th was nice, but to him making the 50th was huge, and made a bid difference, mainly because they want to save those below-50th spaces for students they feel may need a bit of help. If your GPA is at the school's 75th, that would make you a splitter, which is often useful to schools as well.

- Will a fourth (or, if needed, fifth) try affect my chances of getting into school?

No, the key thing is to post the highest score you can get. Law schools have to report your LSAT score but they don't report how many times you took it I've had students with 8 scores on their record get into T14 schools, which shows that multiple tries aren't an automatic disqualifier!

Thanks!

[PNWAngelou]

Hi Stephanie and Dave,

Thank you for the helpful feedback and resources! I decided I would like to spend a little more time studying, so I have opted to take the test in October rather than this month. I'm beginning to score in the mid-160s on practice tests and I plan to use the study strategies from the articles you shared. With additional preparation, I will be ready to hit my goal in October.

Thank you again! I am the first in my family and friend group to apply to law school. I am really grateful for the study prep resources and your advice throughout the application process.