Self-study
Hi there. I'm wondering if anyone else in this thread has used up all 5 LSAT attempts, and has any advice in approaching the final one.
I'm someone who has been PTing in the 170s since September 2025. I feel as if I know the test well enough to tutor others in it and have been very active in the discussion threads, etc. Regardless, my exam scores have never translated on the real thing. I'm not sure if anyone relates -- but it is definitely a soul crushing, stomach sinking feeling.
I only have one retake left, and am really scared to have the same thing happen again, especially with the new format changes and now having to go in person. Has anyone else taken all 5, and finally reflected their abilities the 5th time?
Feeling kinda lost and hopeless :(, particularly as I'm unable to diagnose what goes wrong on my real tests. It genuinely feels like someone else is sitting in the chair on exam day. Maybe burnout, maybe at one point going too slow, another too fast. I really don't know.
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19 comments
Hi, I'm on try no.4 and I completely empathize with how you're feeling. It's been a soul-crushing 1.5 years for me and the end is in sight whether I like it or not. I expect to take it the full 5 times.
I'm definitely not a consistent 170+ scorer on my PTs but I was seeing immense fluctuation (think: 177 on one PT and then 155 on the immediate following one and almost no consistency across PTs) over months of practicing. Which I took to mean as something is wrong in my brain since I clearly know HOW to do the test, I just wasn't able to execute.
During the official tests (I burned a try on a diagnostic and then burned 2 more because I scheduled thinking I would be ready by the time they rolled around) I had so much anxiety that I physically forgot how to read, which then led to even more anxiety and even more stress. There have been official tests where I literally burst into tears during the break and tests where I exited the exam and knew in my soul that I was going to have to keep studying. My official score shave been nowhere NEAR what I know I am capable of.
My solution has been to see a psychiatrist and get real help and real accommodations. I received an ADHD + Anxiety diagnosis and have gotten proper accommodations from LSAC. Has it fixed everything? No. Testing with accoms is also a HUGE beast and my new issue is endurance. But knowing that my previous tests were results of uncontrollable factors that I now have adequate medical support for has helped me to be more understanding toward myself and to motivate me toward my goal 175+.
I'm happy to chat more privately if it'll help. This test has been the hardest experience of my life and since I've boxed myself into "T14 or Die" (not literally, don't come for me mods) it really does matter That Much.
@KellyKim Hi! Would totally love to chat privately because I relate so much to what you're saying (re: this being so horrible/hard, the T-14, something is an execution problem as opposed to a solving problem). I think having the execution issues is what's so frustrating because it feels so much more difficult to fix. Always around to also study or bounce questions off of one another. We got this!
You got this. The knowledge is soooo there.
@SleepyElephant123 Thank you friend!
I don't have any advice but I really hope that things get better and that the next exam goes well for you <3 Im rooting for you!
@SophieChasen Thanks so much!
It sounds counterproductive, but i would advise not thinking about it much and acting like its your first test. If you get in your head about it being the last exam and "needing" to do good, you'll most likely be so stressed out when you go to take the test that you wont be able to properly take it. Just trust the fact that you know you're capable of a 170.
I'd also say try to take your practice pts somewhere public, if you're able to. It will help you get comfortable taking pts in a strange place and hopefully that will transfer over to your actual test. Places like cafés or public libraries, etc. If you think it might be an anxiety aspect too you can also try to get testing accommodations or medication to help control the fight or flight.
@MorganLSAT Thanks so much. Are there things that specifically help you be calmer re: the test and its stakes? And when you take them in public spaces, are you bringing headphones or earplugs? I've never taken it in person before so trying to simulate that experience! Thank you again
@businessgoose I would use whatever you plan on using in the exam, if you're going to use smth for noise canceling i would study that way too. Personally I use a normal Bluetooth headset that i just have turned off when I study in public! I havent taken the actual test yet, i take my first in august so i have no clue for test anxiety, but I find doing a timed drill of 5 lvl 1-3 difficulty question before i take my pts helps me get over the stress of the clock and helps to remind myself that I'll be fine during the pt. Hopefully that helps some!
Only taken the exam once, but also underperformed compared to my practice exams (been studying on and off since September 2024, but sat for the exam for the first time in June). Standardized exams aren't my forte, and I quickly learned that I have high test-taking anxiety. Happy to talk about it or study together since we seem to be in a similar situation in terms of our scores/going through almost all the material (albeit I've made fewer attempts). You seem incredibly driven and very capable of getting a top score! I believe you can do it <3
@asherketchum I'm definitely in the same boat as you with the testing anxiety, even when it's subconscious/I think that it isn't happening, it seems like it still overtakes me. My DMs are always open and would love to study together/figure out new ways to reuse the material together, etc! Thanks so much :')
I'm afraid I don't have any insight on using all 5 attempts (I would definitely check reddit, I've seen some people talk about their experiences on there!), but I definitely feel your pain. I haven't been PTing in 170s since September, but I've been studying since then and it feels endless. I feel like I can tutor others in it as well, simply based off of the fact that I've seen all of the PTs hundreds of times, so it's crushing to score lower than you know that you are capable of. Your discussion thread comments are superb, and you clearly have a strong grasp on the material.
Is there any chance that you might have some severe testing anxiety (beyond normal anxiety)? In that case, you may benefit from beta blockers (please talk to your doctor first) or anti-anxiety medication. If you have burnout, then your performance may be reflecting brain fog or memory loss and could benefit from a longer break. If a longer break isn't an option at the moment, the thing that helps me push through burnout is switching hobbies every few months and changing up study schedules.
If you're nervous about the new format changes, you could also consider simulating testing conditions, like asking a friend to keep time for you in a public library while you take a PT. Certain testing accommodations will also allow you to take the exam remotely, so I would look into that as well!
Just remember that you are not alone, goose! My DMs are open if you ever need to vent or walk through a question 😊
@haena Yes, totally relatable feeling. And that's really kind of you about the discussion threads, thanks so much :'') I'll send you a DM, once again thank you so much for this message.
Hey. I'm really sorry you're in this position. I know more than a few people who have used up all 5, and more than a few who have peaked on the fifth.
I'm sure you've gone over all this in your head already, but I'm curious as to what your last week leading up to the test has looked like on the previous 4 tries, as well as what the actual tests felt like. Were you anxious? Did you walk away knowing you hadn't done your best, or were the scores a surprise? Did you use timing benchmarks?
Regardless of your answers to any of these, there's time to figure this out. Sometimes it just takes a few tries to figure out what works for you.
@PhoebeHopp Hi! Would there be a way to message you? Otherwise I can reply here!
@businessgoose Not a way to message but by all means reply here :)
@PhoebeHopp I find myself in the same situation. I received a 168 on a PT back in December and have averaged 170 on my recent PTs, but then in April a 163, and then in June a 164. I did not feel great about my April test, but I felt fantastic after my June exam. I completed some light drilling the week of the exam. I plan on hoping back on the study train next weekend and take a PT and work with a tutor--I think I need to focus on RC more. Any advice would be appreciated. Your comment is encouraging.
@PhoebeHopp Replying not counting try #1, since that was (stupidly) a diagnostic. Regarding what the week leading up has looked like for the others, in Oct/Jan, I definitely did burn myself out working up until the last day; in June, I stopped PTing the weekend before, and just did sections/reviewed notes. I tried to have an enjoyable, relaxing week, took walks, got a massage, only did one section the day before and took the day off work, went to the grocery store, etc.
Leading up to October 2025, I was extremely anxious, and panicked throughout most of the exam, and didn't finish. In January 2026, I was calm, but still had to rush. I left both of those exams worried that I underperformed, and I had found the tests very difficult, especially the RC content and the "logic-game-y" style Q's. In June 2026, I was calm, at every break, I thought I was doing really well; I found the RC to be right up my alley, and like I lucked out. I got my ideal format for the test. I felt a bit brain-fogged on the second half, but thought I was really powering through. I walked out ready to finally see my performance reflected on record, thinking this had to have been the one, only to extremely jarringly wake up on score release day to see the same exact score zero give from when I had found it really tough compared to when I found it easy, and basically the same score as my diagnostic from ages prior.
Re: timing, the only thing I could think is going too quickly, leaving myself a lot of time (~10 min, I have 150% time) for the last q's in the LR sections that I find tough, which maybe could've been better spent earlier on in the sections.
@PhoebeHopp I'm also on my last attempt and this is super helpful to hear. Thank you!