Should I take the LSAT-Flex tomorrow?

[StrawberryCityLights]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone had thoughts on whether or not I should withdraw from the LSAT tomorrow. I've taken the LSAT 3 times (July 2019, October 2019, and November 2020). I got a 158, 156, and 161. I have been admitted to Boston College, WashU, Nebraska, and Iowa for this cycle (most likely because of my 4.XX GPA), and I applied to six other schools. I plan to attend this fall. Most of the schools I am applying to and would like to attend have a LSAT median of 165-169. I would be thrilled to go to Boston College or WashU, but I need a significant scholarship to make that possible (as I would at any other school because of public interest goals). I am currently being considered for full PI scholarships at BC and WashU, and decisions should come in mid March. My last 4 practice tests have been 161, 162, 161, and 162. Is it worth it to take the LSAT tomorrow in the chance of getting a 163 or 164? I did have a lot of test anxiety before my last LSAT-flex (which I don't think will happen this time), and I have improved my average reading comprehension score significantly, although I know my practice tests don't reflect a jump.

Thanks!

[menkenj]

I am not an expert so can't comment on the details of your situation, but if you haven't registered for the Feb LSAT already then you won't be able to take it today. Registration is still open for April though, so there's that.

[Adam Tyson]

Sorry we didn't get to you before you had to make the call, StrawberryCityLights, but my advice would have been to go for it, because any increase in score, even a single point, could help, and a decrease or repeat score is not a problem. So if you decided to take the test, great! If not, no big deal, and you can either choose to go forward this cycle with the best offer you get (taking into account scholarships and what you feel about the school and its outcomes like post-grad employment, bar passage, and debt) or you can choose to forego for a year and prepare to retake again in April, June, or later.

Let us know what you decided and how it went! We're rooting for you!

[StrawberryCityLights]

Hi Adam,

Thank you so much for your kind response, I ended up taking the test. Unfortunately, I misread a rule in games that I think cost me a handful of points (despite double-checking it). If you have some time, I was wondering if you think I should cancel the score if there is a possibility I scored a 158-161? Does it look bad to cancel a 4th attempt? Thank you so so much!

Sorry we didn't get to you before you had to make the call, StrawberryCityLights, but my advice would have been to go for it, because any increase in score, even a single point, could help, and a decrease or repeat score is not a problem. So if you decided to take the test, great! If not, no big deal, and you can either choose to go forward this cycle with the best offer you get (taking into account scholarships and what you feel about the school and its outcomes like post-grad employment, bar passage, and debt) or you can choose to forego for a year and prepare to retake again in April, June, or later.

Let us know what you decided and how it went! We're rooting for you!

[Adam Tyson]

Don't cancel! You have no way of knowing how you did, and while you may be right about it going badly, you may have also done your best ever. How awful it would be to never know! A lower score won't matter, and a cancellation might call for an explanation that you don't want to have to give (since nothing truly catastrophic outside of your control happened.) "I was afraid it would be a low score that would look bad" would not be a good look on your application.

Keep your score, keep your fingers crossed, and let us know how thing turn out!

[StrawberryCityLights]

Hi Adam,

Thanks again for your reply. That makes sense—I'm going to keep it! Keeping my fingers crossed!

Don't cancel! You have no way of knowing how you did, and while you may be right about it going badly, you may have also done your best ever. How awful it would be to never know! A lower score won't matter, and a cancellation might call for an explanation that you don't want to have to give (since nothing truly catastrophic outside of your control happened.) "I was afraid it would be a low score that would look bad" would not be a good look on your application.

Keep your score, keep your fingers crossed, and let us know how thing turn out!