Self-study
Hi all! Some context: i've been studying since January, quite inconsistently if I might add. I have 3 kids, Im a full time paralegal, and currently finishing up my masters. Im a nontraditional student and planning on applying to law school in this upcoming cycle. My UPGA, unfortunately, is below average for my top schools so I need to offset with my LSAT score. Ive taken the LSAT once before 4 years ago and got a bad score with 0 studying. Im aiming for a high 160 low 170.
Now, when I do a timed practice test, I am consistently getting in the mid 140's. Mind you - my testing environments are horrible. I have kids yelling and screaming, im sleep deprived from a newborn, and burnt out from work/school. But when i take the time to slow down and blind review, my BR score is in the low 160's. Now my question is, is my target score feasible for the June LSAT? I know they say your BR is more consistent with your true score. I have been feeling very unconfident for the exam and wanting to put it off but im about to hit my 30's and dont want to put off law school much longer. When I drill, I do really well so I have the understandings of the questions down its more so translating that accuracy into really exam setting. Can I do it for June or not? Help!
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9 comments
I'm rooting for you queen <3
Would you be open to doing a July, August, or September date? It's my understanding that you can most certainly take your test after June 2026 and still apply for the 2026-2027 cycle (that's what I'm doing, after all!). I can't imagine how challenging it must be with kids, a full time paralegal job, and burnout from both. Definitely don't rush the process--you might end up regretting the June date if an Aug/Sept date would give you a higher score. Good luck--you got this!!!
@pinky Do you think there will be testing dates in July? My understanding was that June was the last month with testing sessions in this cycle, and the next testing dates would be in August.
@NickHayman Ah, you're right--I accidentally typed July. According to this link (https://www.lsac.org/LSATdates), the 2026-2027 testing year starts in August. I think you should push the test until then. Don't rush the process!!
I just want to plug the fact that 7sage has an app as well, something I only recently found out. Take this with a grain of salt as I have not gotten my goal score yet, but effective studying doesn't only have to be when you have a free and quiet two hours, it can be 10min on your phone when you have a quiet moment in the day. I do questions on the tram in the mornings and it is quite helpful.
also sending good energy to keep going, my mom was in a similar situation many years ago when I was a child and she ended up with a 25 point increase after like two years. you can do it!
Hold off doing the actual test until you can consistently get in your target range with your PTs (before BR)! Do not rush this. You have time :) You are still young!
Unfortunately, if you're scoring in the mid-140s on practice exams, you won't be able to score 170 on test day. I say keep drilling. What's important is being able to predict the answer before seeing the answer choices. I also suggest doing a deep review on your previous practice exams.
BR might reflect someone's understanding under non-timed conditions, but I don't think it's more accurate as a "true score" since the real LSAT is timed. I think that the most accurate predictor of a score would be an average of recent PTs, taken under timed testing conditions. Assuming that your testing environment will be quieter than the one at home, your timed tests might not be an accurate predictor, either.
It'll be hard for people who don't know you, your analytics, or your study schedule to tell you if a certain score is feasible by June. Personally, I think that expecting a 20 point score increase in less than 2 months is pretty unrealistic, especially if you have other responsibilities (work/school/kids). Think about your starting point—is a 20 point jump in 1.5 months realistic based on your rate of growth this past semester? But at the end of the day, I'm just a stranger on the internet. You know yourself best in terms of how much time you're able to put in, and how much growth is feasible.
@Rena12345 agree. BR is great, but people shouldn’t use it for any type of score prediction. One of the Kaplan books said that if everyone got unlimited time on the LSAT, hitting 170-180 would be a breeze. If you miss a question in timed practice, you’ll miss it during the actual LSAT where there’s no BR.
As much as it is hard to replicate quiet testing environment in some circumstances (I try to drill during my work commutes), that is the best way to see how you’d potentially score on the real thing.