I scored a 161 on the June exam and took a PT today and got the same score despite drilling my weak points for the last month and scoring av. -3 in the 3 practice sections I’ve completed (different days, this is the first full PT I’ve taken since the June exam)
Do I cancel my August exam or be keep it? I registered for September and my goal for then is a 170
Does using an attempt and possibly getting the same score look bad?
I’m planning to submit apps in early October
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3 comments
I wouldn't cancel August solely because of this one PT. It was your first full PT since June, and scoring around -3 on individual practice sections suggests that your underlying skills may have improved even if they did not yet transfer across an entire exam.
I'd use the next week or so to take another two or three full, strictly timed PTs. If you remain around 161–163, I would probably skip August rather than use an attempt to "see what happens," especially since your goal is 170 and you are already registered for September. If your full-test scores begin moving into the mid-to-high 160s and the remaining misses appear fixable, keeping August becomes more reasonable.
Getting another 161 would not necessarily "look bad." Schools receive all reportable scores, but their treatment of multiple scores varies, and many place the greatest weight on the highest score. A repeat score is usually more neutral than affirmatively harmful.
I also would not rush the LSAT to submit applications a few weeks earlier. The September score is scheduled for release on September 30, so you can receive it before submitting in early October. Even if you submit before a later retake score arrives, LSAC automatically sends updated CAS reports to schools when you repeat the LSAT during the same application year. You should still notify each school and check whether it will hold your file, because some schools may review an application as soon as it is complete.
An early-October application is already early. At schools such as Georgetown, regular-decision applicants typically wait "approximately 8–12 weeks after completion for a decision", which can put an early-October file into December or January anyway. That is not universal, so I would not assume no school will look earlier, but there is very little reason to sacrifice the stronger LSAT score merely to submit a few weeks sooner.
@RJlsattutor thank you so much for your in depth response I really appreciate it. I think I struggle a lot with test specific anxiety but individual sections/the stamina I have feel a lot easier. I’m doing August in person and feel a lot better about it since for the June exam I had 2 hours of tech issues and it really threw me off.
@starglooms Breaking the practice up into sections can be helpful for that very reason, but just remember that stamina is a huge component of this exam. Therefore, it is essential to do the full length PTs. Sorry to hear about the tech issues! I hope you have a smooth exam in August and good luck!!