Before a Practice Test, Exercise!
And no, this does not mean you have to hit the gym before every test you take. This article reports that doing as little as 20 minutes of walking prior to an exam has the power to increase standardized test scores. Trying to give your brain a break before you delve into three hours of intense testing is a great way to relieve some test-day anxieties.
The Decision to Retake
Grappling with the decision of a retake is the reality of many LSAT students. The idea of a retake leaves many nervous for what an admissions committee will make of multiple LSAT attempts. But not to fear! The reality is that a retake has a greater ability to improve the quality of your overall application than a chance to harm it.
This is because of how admissions committees weigh the LSAT. The most important factor in your law school application is your highest overall LSAT score. This test score is helpful not only in the case of admissions—the choice to retake could mean the difference between going to law school for sticker and going to law school on full scholarship. So, on paper, pursuing a retake seems quite appealing.
Of course, there are other factors to consider. When making a decision in either direction, here are some questions to ask yourself when considering a retake:
- Do you have the time and energy to devote to the process again?
- How likely do you think it is that your score will increase?
- Will you have time to apply in your targeted cycle?
Remember: only you can know if a retake is in your best interest based on your LSAT experience! Make sure your decision weighs the desire to score higher against how practical that goal is to reach.