Change test date or withdraw?

YY MMMM.

I registered for June LSAT (Jun.23) in Asia and it's the last day (May 29) to change my test date today.
I am not prepared at this moment but I still want to give it a shot if I work out something 20 days later..so I haven't change my test date yet.

Is that any other disadvantages except losing money if I withdraw after today? I wonder if there will be a note of "absent" in my track and I lose one chance to take the exam within 2 yrs (Because of the policy of taking no more than 3 exams within 2 yrs)

Thanks!

Mark Robin

Ironically I posted the very same question earlier yesterday and withdrew my June 10th because I did not feel fully prepared. The advice I was given, if I may paraphrase, was that unless you feel absolutely ready and you've done the proctored timed exams and have a score your comfortable with then you could be doing more harm than good.

Mark

Anthony Espinoza-1

Well if your not prepared then your not ready to take the exam. A disadvantage is that some law schools average exam scores. On the other hand, some schools take the highest score while yet others will take the highest score but will require a statement explaining the disparity in scores. In terms of this disadvantage, it really depends on what schools you are wanting to attend.

Mark Tenorio

Hey Yingxue

I don't think there is anything disadvantageous if you withdraw to my understanding. I don't think its like withdrawing a college course in the middle of the semester and having that "not so good-looking W" on your transcript.

http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/withdraw-test-registration.asp

This is all the info I could find on withdrawing and it looks like it doesn't hurt you too much besides the risk of losing your money from my understanding. I could be wrong though.

Jeff T

As someone who has withdrawn before, I can confirm that the only downside to it is losing the $ if you don't do it by the refund deadline. It will not show up on your record (essentially, it's as if you never even signed up).

Justin Giles

Withdrawing is perfectly okay after the "deadline". What you mentioned, losing the opportunity, only happens if you no-show without withdrawing. They do not take too kindly to that, but withdrawing, even late, works for them.

Adam

I'm applying to Canadian law schools and most take the highest LSAT score. My target is a 170 and I'm scoring in the 167-169 range. Would it be worth writing the June LSAT with the chance that I hit my target, or is there still a drawback of a recording a lower score in this scenario?

J.Y. Ping

@Adam, I don't know about Canadian law schools. For American law schools, it varies, but my impression is that they take the high score if it's significantly higher (like 5+ points) but will average if if it's within the score band (plus/minus 3 points). Totally anecdotal evidence from talking to the admissions deans while I was at HLS. Please offer other perspectives, guys.