I submitted all my applications in October, but I'm not confident about my chances of getting into the schools I really want because of my lower LSAT score (165). I'm considering taking the January LSAT, but don't want to request that schools place a hold on my application, in case 1) January's score isn't higher, and 2) in case schools run out of seats by the time January / Feb rolls around. I'm considering leaving my applications as they are (without informing the school), and taking the January exam just in case. If it's a higher score, and they haven't already released a decision, then I'll send it to them as an update -- assuming they take it. If the score isn't higher or they've already made a decision, oh well.

Does anyone have thoughts on this strategy or any insights? #help

For context, I've been studying for around a year, and for the past 6 months I have been averaging across manyyyyy PTs in the low to mid 170s. I've taken the actual exam now 3 times, but for the life of me, I cannot get past a 165. I don't have testing anxiety, and I feel great all the way up to the actual exam, but every time I take it I fall way short of the scores I usually earn. I decided to call it quits after this October's exam, and I've already submitted all my applications, most of which are to highly regarded schools with a median LSAT of 168 or higher. Having a 165 as my highest official score is very disappointing. Still, I've been operating under the assumption that, especially if you're under the median, you need to submit your applications as early as possible (while the remaining spots are not as competitive). However, a 165 is significantly limiting for the schools I'm aiming for, and so now I'm considering retesting again in January. My biggest concern, though, is that if I don't score better than 165 this time around, I won't only have finished empty-handed in scores but I'll also have lost any advantage I had by applying early, since schools would have to place a hold on my file. Are these fears/time penalties valid, or should I go for January? Help!