So... my question is whether I'm making the right decision by taking the September LSAT. I have a 3.8 GPA and I'm aiming for a 164-166 on the LSAT... Now, from the last 5 PT's, I've scored 161 twice, 164 twice and a 162. I've noticed that on days where I wake up feeling really good, I end up getting a 164, which makes me feel like I'm literally RIGHT there at around a 164-166 range. The issue is that i'd wanna hit the score a few more times before test date so i can go in confidently. (Which can still happen given that i have a couple more weeks.) Another thing is that if I do miss my target score by a couple points, I can take it again in December with a bit more improvement so I'd have two tries at it. Anyway, i feel like this post is all over the place lol. What do you guys think? (I also want to take the test earlier so i can submit my apps earlier, which would give me an advantage in the application process.) I'd appreciate any feedback.
Comments
If you take the September test, take a week or two off and keep on studying, even when you haven't received your score yet. That'll give you a head start into studying for December in case you didn't do well in September or in case you'd like to go for an even better score.
I'm in a situation where I will absolutely be applying for next year, so not taking the September exam when I'm not quite at 100% won't really benefit me at all. Since I'm at the very least so close to where I'd like to be, I'm much better off taking my good odds of getting a satisfactory score in September and having two takes left than counting on only December and February to give me the score I'd like. I also get sick a lot, so I'm not counting on being perfectly healthy on any one test day.
Refusing to apply for the 2019 cycle really presents the only circumstance where I would recommend taking the test when not fully ready. Even then, I would only recommend it if you're very close to where you'd like to be, which you clearly are.
Whether you are open to waiting a year or not, keep on studying for the next few weeks to see where you land. I'm not sure when you can cancel without any repercussions, but you have some time to make progress. If you're open to postponing your application a year in favor of a higher score, I'd recommend only taking the September test is you are 100% where you need to be.