Taking the advice that I've heard from the LSATdemon podcast: you should plan on waiting another year. I think that if you push it back a year and give yourself time to really study, you can get your best score. If you are scoring in the 140s in a practice test, you will likely score in the 140s during the real test, which likely translates to not getting accepted or getting a bad offer. I would wait until your practice tests are at your goal score i.e. 150s 160s 170s etc. and then sign up for the test.
First piece of advice: the LSAT is literally built to be hard, so try not to be so hard on yourself! I also started studying in January, with a diagnostic at 138.
In my experience, taking my first LSAT got me ready for the next one. I had the same target score and was PTing in the 155-159 range before the exam, and made a 148 in April. While I was disappointed in that score, I feel more ready and comfortable with my testing center and what that looks like for my June exam. Plus, I know I will show improvement on my next exam which will look good for admissions, so boo bc of the score, but yay for the future exam.
On the flip side, August will look very different from June so that is also something to consider! you want to make sure you are PTing at least CLOSE to your goal. You don't need to be getting a 157-158 every PT, but at least 153-155 range I think is a decent spot to be in at least just for your first exam, and then you can go up from there! PTs are also variable to so many things-- sleep, hunger, outside noise, anxiety, etc. You easily could be scoring lower because of your outside situation you have plus the pressure of the impending exam. You are the only person that knows the best for you & your experience is completely different than anyone else's!
The platforms are changing in August so the test and what you can do on it (such as highlighting parts of answers) will look entirely different after June. Taking it for the experience is likely not going to help you any more than taking a PT in semi realistic testing conditions at home could. Personal timeline decisions are ultimately up to you but if you are not at your goal score skipping it is something to think about. Taking it in August gives you more time to study too then if you still want another few points you could take it in September as well. Everyone is different with personal lives and timelines so maybe more people will chime in with what they think there. I just wanted to point out that you would be losing a testing opportunity on a test that is changing a lot looks and functions wise by the next testing date. You can play with what your drills and sections look like (pre or post Aug) so you know what is coming up. Hope this helps or at least gives you more info.
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4 comments
If your goal for the test is a 158+ and you just hit a 140 two weeks before and have never hit that 158+ you should postpone ASAP.
Why waste a test when you would be gambling on getting lucky guesses? DO NOT TAKE THE TEST YET.
Good job being honest with yourself and asking the question, that is very wise.
Taking the advice that I've heard from the LSATdemon podcast: you should plan on waiting another year. I think that if you push it back a year and give yourself time to really study, you can get your best score. If you are scoring in the 140s in a practice test, you will likely score in the 140s during the real test, which likely translates to not getting accepted or getting a bad offer. I would wait until your practice tests are at your goal score i.e. 150s 160s 170s etc. and then sign up for the test.
First piece of advice: the LSAT is literally built to be hard, so try not to be so hard on yourself! I also started studying in January, with a diagnostic at 138.
In my experience, taking my first LSAT got me ready for the next one. I had the same target score and was PTing in the 155-159 range before the exam, and made a 148 in April. While I was disappointed in that score, I feel more ready and comfortable with my testing center and what that looks like for my June exam. Plus, I know I will show improvement on my next exam which will look good for admissions, so boo bc of the score, but yay for the future exam.
On the flip side, August will look very different from June so that is also something to consider! you want to make sure you are PTing at least CLOSE to your goal. You don't need to be getting a 157-158 every PT, but at least 153-155 range I think is a decent spot to be in at least just for your first exam, and then you can go up from there! PTs are also variable to so many things-- sleep, hunger, outside noise, anxiety, etc. You easily could be scoring lower because of your outside situation you have plus the pressure of the impending exam. You are the only person that knows the best for you & your experience is completely different than anyone else's!
The platforms are changing in August so the test and what you can do on it (such as highlighting parts of answers) will look entirely different after June. Taking it for the experience is likely not going to help you any more than taking a PT in semi realistic testing conditions at home could. Personal timeline decisions are ultimately up to you but if you are not at your goal score skipping it is something to think about. Taking it in August gives you more time to study too then if you still want another few points you could take it in September as well. Everyone is different with personal lives and timelines so maybe more people will chime in with what they think there. I just wanted to point out that you would be losing a testing opportunity on a test that is changing a lot looks and functions wise by the next testing date. You can play with what your drills and sections look like (pre or post Aug) so you know what is coming up. Hope this helps or at least gives you more info.