Comments on: Deciding Whether to Cancel Your LSAT Score http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/lsat/deciding-whether-to-cancel-your-lsat-score/ Law School Admission Consulting by Ann Levine Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:10:44 +0000 hourly 1 By: Shawny http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/lsat/deciding-whether-to-cancel-your-lsat-score/comment-page-1/#comment-6509 Shawny Thu, 06 Oct 2011 23:40:02 +0000 http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/?p=443#comment-6509 I recently took the LSAT Oct 1st and do not know whether I should cancel or not. I had a hard game section, which is usually my best area, and that put me in a mood for the rest of the test thinking about that one section (it was not experimental). I also did not finish 2 of the 4 reading passages. I feel I didnt do my full potential. I already have one lsat score of 144 but was aiming for a 151. I wanted to apply early to some schools but now if I wait until december all they have is my 144 score. Is it possible to submit all materials and then send the score? or will they just look at the 144 and make their decision based on that score. I recently took the LSAT Oct 1st and do not know whether I should cancel or not. I had a hard game section, which is usually my best area, and that put me in a mood for the rest of the test thinking about that one section (it was not experimental). I also did not finish 2 of the 4 reading passages. I feel I didnt do my full potential. I already have one lsat score of 144 but was aiming for a 151. I wanted to apply early to some schools but now if I wait until december all they have is my 144 score. Is it possible to submit all materials and then send the score? or will they just look at the 144 and make their decision based on that score.

]]> By: Ann Levine http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/lsat/deciding-whether-to-cancel-your-lsat-score/comment-page-1/#comment-5260 Ann Levine Sat, 14 May 2011 20:11:45 +0000 http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/?p=443#comment-5260 It's not the end of the world to cancel... Just not my first choice. It’s not the end of the world to cancel… Just not my first choice.

]]> By: Natalie http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/lsat/deciding-whether-to-cancel-your-lsat-score/comment-page-1/#comment-5240 Natalie Wed, 11 May 2011 02:24:31 +0000 http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/?p=443#comment-5240 Thanks so much Anne for your advice! But it absolutely doesn't hurt my application if I do decide to go ahead and take the test, but am forced to cancel it? If I attach an addendum explaining the circumstances resulting in the request to cancel the score - even at Yale or Stanford - I shouldn't be penalized? Part of me really wants that dry-run and would love to not have to study again in the fall since I really need to finish up my dissertation before baby #3 comes along! Thanks so much Anne for your advice! But it absolutely doesn’t hurt my application if I do decide to go ahead and take the test, but am forced to cancel it? If I attach an addendum explaining the circumstances resulting in the request to cancel the score – even at Yale or Stanford – I shouldn’t be penalized? Part of me really wants that dry-run and would love to not have to study again in the fall since I really need to finish up my dissertation before baby #3 comes along!

]]> By: Ann Levine http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/lsat/deciding-whether-to-cancel-your-lsat-score/comment-page-1/#comment-5238 Ann Levine Tue, 10 May 2011 21:18:22 +0000 http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/?p=443#comment-5238 Hi Natalie, with 2 kids of my own I definitely know where you're coming from here. Wait until October. 6 months preg is much better than going through the LSAT with morning sickness. Don't take the score and cancel because it will count as one of the 3 times you're allowed to take the test in 2 years. Also, second trimester is pretty comfortable and the brain still functions at 100% so that sounds like the better plan. Hi Natalie, with 2 kids of my own I definitely know where you’re coming from here.
Wait until October. 6 months preg is much better than going through the LSAT with morning sickness. Don’t take the score and cancel because it will count as one of the 3 times you’re allowed to take the test in 2 years. Also, second trimester is pretty comfortable and the brain still functions at 100% so that sounds like the better plan.

]]> By: Natalie http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/lsat/deciding-whether-to-cancel-your-lsat-score/comment-page-1/#comment-5233 Natalie Mon, 09 May 2011 23:22:01 +0000 http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/?p=443#comment-5233 I'm trying to decide what I should do and could really use your advise. I'm look at going to a top 3 law school. I score well on practice tests, but am trying to prepare for the June LSAT while finishing my PhD. I just started a week ago, so I'll only have 5 weeks to study but intensively. My problem is, I just found out I am pregnant with our third child and will be 8 weeks the day I sit the exam. Based on my previous experience, I am usually very very tired in the afternoons and I need to eat frequently due to nauseous. Its pretty much the worst point in my pregnancy. I have until May 15th to decide whether to switch to October, when I will be 6 months pregnant so have to use the restroom, but can probably sit through the sections and will not be anywhere near as tired! One part of me is inclined to just take it, to familiarize myself with the process and cancel if I am not able to get over the pregnancy fog to work through the sections as I know I can. For comparison, I took a yesterday morning and scored a 178. Took a test this morning and scored a 162! So I am really worried about the 12:30 time. I can't seem to even get through sections fully in the afternoons. Will it hurt me at Yale, Harvard or Stanford that I have a cancelled score even if I let them know I was 8 weeks pregnant and unable to sit through the sections due to morning sickness? Should I just re-schedule or go ahead and keep prepping, and take a dry run before re-taking again in October? Thank you so much for your advice! I’m trying to decide what I should do and could really use your advise. I’m look at going to a top 3 law school. I score well on practice tests, but am trying to prepare for the June LSAT while finishing my PhD. I just started a week ago, so I’ll only have 5 weeks to study but intensively. My problem is, I just found out I am pregnant with our third child and will be 8 weeks the day I sit the exam. Based on my previous experience, I am usually very very tired in the afternoons and I need to eat frequently due to nauseous. Its pretty much the worst point in my pregnancy. I have until May 15th to decide whether to switch to October, when I will be 6 months pregnant so have to use the restroom, but can probably sit through the sections and will not be anywhere near as tired!

One part of me is inclined to just take it, to familiarize myself with the process and cancel if I am not able to get over the pregnancy fog to work through the sections as I know I can. For comparison, I took a yesterday morning and scored a 178. Took a test this morning and scored a 162! So I am really worried about the 12:30 time. I can’t seem to even get through sections fully in the afternoons. Will it hurt me at Yale, Harvard or Stanford that I have a cancelled score even if I let them know I was 8 weeks pregnant and unable to sit through the sections due to morning sickness? Should I just re-schedule or go ahead and keep prepping, and take a dry run before re-taking again in October?

Thank you so much for your advice!

]]> By: Ann Levine http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/lsat/deciding-whether-to-cancel-your-lsat-score/comment-page-1/#comment-3737 Ann Levine Sun, 12 Dec 2010 15:20:47 +0000 http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/?p=443#comment-3737 Hi Michael, Getting rejected this year has absolutely nothing to do with whether you'll be admitted next year so long as your materials are strong both years and your LSAT score greatly increases. That's the first myth I wanted to correct from your message. If it's possible you raised your score 5 points, then keep your score this time. Every little bit helps. I don't know what you did to prepare for the LSAT this time, and I don't know whether you have potential to get to the mid 150s - not everyone does. These are the questions you need to honestly answer before deciding what to do next. Hi Michael, Getting rejected this year has absolutely nothing to do with whether you’ll be admitted next year so long as your materials are strong both years and your LSAT score greatly increases. That’s the first myth I wanted to correct from your message. If it’s possible you raised your score 5 points, then keep your score this time. Every little bit helps.
I don’t know what you did to prepare for the LSAT this time, and I don’t know whether you have potential to get to the mid 150s – not everyone does. These are the questions you need to honestly answer before deciding what to do next.

]]> By: Michael http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/lsat/deciding-whether-to-cancel-your-lsat-score/comment-page-1/#comment-3719 Michael Sun, 12 Dec 2010 01:39:06 +0000 http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/?p=443#comment-3719 Hi Ann, I took LSAT last September and I got 144. Obviously I wasn't happy, so I studied on my own and today I took another LSAT. Unfortunately I don't think that I did much better. I have a decent Undergrad GPA 3.5 and a good Master's GPA 3.9. I'm not looking to get into top 10. The only way I can go to law school is if I can work and study at the same time, so I'm looking to get into a part-time law school. Namely I'm interested in University of Houston. UH requires 156-161 for the 25th-75th percentile LSAT scores for part-time students. Should I even try to apply this year with my current LSAT scores, hoping that my B.A., M.A. GPAs and work experience might pull my standing up? Or should I cancel this last LSAT score, improve my LSAT and apply next year? I really don't want to wait another year if I don't have to. On the other hand I also don't want to ruin my chances of having my next year's application tarnished by this year's rejection. I know I'm asking you a lot of questions here. In fact this is starting to look more and more like an LSAT writing sample question and I am genuinely sorry about that, but if you can give me a brief advise about this issue, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks, Michael Hi Ann,
I took LSAT last September and I got 144. Obviously I wasn’t happy, so I studied on my own and today I took another LSAT. Unfortunately I don’t think that I did much better.
I have a decent Undergrad GPA 3.5 and a good Master’s GPA 3.9. I’m not looking to get into top 10. The only way I can go to law school is if I can work and study at the same time, so I’m looking to get into a part-time law school. Namely I’m interested in University of Houston. UH requires 156-161 for the 25th-75th percentile LSAT scores for part-time students. Should I even try to apply this year with my current LSAT scores, hoping that my B.A., M.A. GPAs and work experience might pull my standing up? Or should I cancel this last LSAT score, improve my LSAT and apply next year? I really don’t want to wait another year if I don’t have to. On the other hand I also don’t want to ruin my chances of having my next year’s application tarnished by this year’s rejection.
I know I’m asking you a lot of questions here. In fact this is starting to look more and more like an LSAT writing sample question and I am genuinely sorry about that, but if you can give me a brief advise about this issue, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks,
Michael

]]> By: Ann Levine http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/lsat/deciding-whether-to-cancel-your-lsat-score/comment-page-1/#comment-2441 Ann Levine Wed, 15 Sep 2010 22:31:13 +0000 http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/?p=443#comment-2441 Maria, I'm going to make this really easy for you. You MUST postpone the LSAT. And you must stop taking Kaplan and get more intensive, one-on-one help with the LSAT. Maria, I’m going to make this really easy for you. You MUST postpone the LSAT. And you must stop taking Kaplan and get more intensive, one-on-one help with the LSAT.

]]> By: Maria http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/lsat/deciding-whether-to-cancel-your-lsat-score/comment-page-1/#comment-2438 Maria Wed, 15 Sep 2010 02:37:52 +0000 http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/?p=443#comment-2438 Hi Ann, I have been taking the Kaplan course for the LSAT in Oct. 2010. I am doing very poorly, my highest score being a 141. I wanted to get into one of the top 10 schools. My GPA is 3.7, good LOR, PS. I feel that I didn't had enough time to prepare. I do not feel ready for October but I do not want to put it off till Dec because many seats will be filled by then. I am debating between taking the LSAT in Oct and Dec and can't decide. PLEASE HELP! thank you. Hi Ann,
I have been taking the Kaplan course for the LSAT in Oct. 2010.
I am doing very poorly, my highest score being a 141. I wanted to get into one of the top 10 schools. My GPA is 3.7, good LOR, PS. I feel that I didn’t had enough time to prepare. I do not feel ready for October but I do not want to put it off till Dec because many seats will be filled by then. I am debating between taking the LSAT in Oct and Dec and can’t decide.
PLEASE HELP!
thank you.

]]> By: Ann Levine http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/lsat/deciding-whether-to-cancel-your-lsat-score/comment-page-1/#comment-2020 Ann Levine Sat, 12 Jun 2010 14:11:26 +0000 http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/?p=443#comment-2020 Hi Aaron, This is a popular question. As I told a client yesterday, the key isn't what will look worse (two cancels then a 171 - for example- or one cancel, one mid-160s score, and then a 171). The key is, how sure are you that you can pull off the 171 on your last shot. One of the schools on your list (I assume) is Columbia, and they average multiple LSAT scores. That's something to keep in mind. Also, since you've been a bit rattled on the last two tests you've taken, I'd wonder what you're going to do to eliminate the chances of being rattled the third time. An LSAT rarely goes flawlessly - that's part of the combination of new questions, unpredictability, testing environment, anxiety, etc. I had a client a couple of years ago with a 155, 164, 173 and he is now a 2L at a top 10 school. I think the most important thing is whether you would feel better at least having a backup score knowing all you have to do in October is beat that score - that might remove some of the pressure that obviously impacts your performance on the test. I hope this is helpful to you. Ann Hi Aaron,
This is a popular question. As I told a client yesterday, the key isn’t what will look worse (two cancels then a 171 – for example- or one cancel, one mid-160s score, and then a 171). The key is, how sure are you that you can pull off the 171 on your last shot. One of the schools on your list (I assume) is Columbia, and they average multiple LSAT scores. That’s something to keep in mind. Also, since you’ve been a bit rattled on the last two tests you’ve taken, I’d wonder what you’re going to do to eliminate the chances of being rattled the third time. An LSAT rarely goes flawlessly – that’s part of the combination of new questions, unpredictability, testing environment, anxiety, etc.
I had a client a couple of years ago with a 155, 164, 173 and he is now a 2L at a top 10 school. I think the most important thing is whether you would feel better at least having a backup score knowing all you have to do in October is beat that score – that might remove some of the pressure that obviously impacts your performance on the test.
I hope this is helpful to you.
Ann

]]> By: aaron http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/lsat/deciding-whether-to-cancel-your-lsat-score/comment-page-1/#comment-2014 aaron Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:13:19 +0000 http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/?p=443#comment-2014 Wanted to add I'm looking at top 10 schools. Thanks Wanted to add I’m looking at top 10 schools. Thanks

]]> By: aaron http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/lsat/deciding-whether-to-cancel-your-lsat-score/comment-page-1/#comment-2013 aaron Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:12:32 +0000 http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/?p=443#comment-2013 Hi Ann, It sounds like great advice you've given so far. I'm in a difficult situation and wanted to know what your thoughts were: I took the exam in Feb 2010 but misbubbled the RC section so I canceled. Since then I was PT'ing around 170-172. I was confident going into the June exam until I hit the LG section. Usually I do very well on it but 2 games screwed me up (had to guess on last 4 questions of the section). The last RC passage was difficult for me too. Should I cancel (which would be 2 cancels already), or wait for the score? Either way, I think I would have to retake in Oct since I'm pretty sure I didn't do well, at least not up to my potential. For admission: would cancel-cancel-hopefully high score be better than cancel-low score-hopefully high score? Thanks Hi Ann,

It sounds like great advice you’ve given so far. I’m in a difficult situation and wanted to know what your thoughts were:

I took the exam in Feb 2010 but misbubbled the RC section so I canceled. Since then I was PT’ing around 170-172. I was confident going into the June exam until I hit the LG section. Usually I do very well on it but 2 games screwed me up (had to guess on last 4 questions of the section). The last RC passage was difficult for me too. Should I cancel (which would be 2 cancels already), or wait for the score? Either way, I think I would have to retake in Oct since I’m pretty sure I didn’t do well, at least not up to my potential. For admission: would cancel-cancel-hopefully high score be better than cancel-low score-hopefully high score?

Thanks

]]> By: Ann Levine http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/lsat/deciding-whether-to-cancel-your-lsat-score/comment-page-1/#comment-2011 Ann Levine Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:50:57 +0000 http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/?p=443#comment-2011 Hi Jennifer, You will be offered the opportunity to cancel your score or send a letter with your score report, but no law school will add 5 points to your score because a letter from LSAC says there were distractions at the test center. I know this sucks (notice how I only use that word in relation to LSAT proctors?) but it's important to get the right score for you and I think you'll choose your seat more wisely next time. October is still a fine time to take the LSAT, I promise. Hi Jennifer,
You will be offered the opportunity to cancel your score or send a letter with your score report, but no law school will add 5 points to your score because a letter from LSAC says there were distractions at the test center. I know this sucks (notice how I only use that word in relation to LSAT proctors?) but it’s important to get the right score for you and I think you’ll choose your seat more wisely next time. October is still a fine time to take the LSAT, I promise.

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/lsat/deciding-whether-to-cancel-your-lsat-score/comment-page-1/#comment-2010 Jennifer Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:33:55 +0000 http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/?p=443#comment-2010 Dear Ann, I am debating sending a formal letter of complaint to LSAC. I am wondering if it is even worth it making this a formal complaint? What is the best case sinario?Long story short; I took the exam and had the unfortunate luck of being assigned a seat in front of the proctors table and they were whispering to each other through out the first three sections of the test. I found it extremely distracting and honestly could not concentrate. During the break I requested that I be relocated for sections 4, 5 and the writing sample. Assuming that my compliant is validated, what options are typically offered in a situation such as this? What is the best case sinario? Taking the test for free in October is not what I am looking for, I just do not want to wait that long. Also what is the average amount of time it takes for an investigation to be concluded, from the time the complaint is received to the time the file is closed and the complainant is notified? Dear Ann,

I am debating sending a formal letter of complaint to LSAC. I am wondering if it is even worth it making this a formal complaint? What is the best case sinario?Long story short; I took the exam and had the unfortunate luck of being assigned a seat in front of the proctors table and they were whispering to each other through out the first three sections of the test. I found it extremely distracting and honestly could not concentrate. During the break I requested that I be relocated for sections 4, 5 and the writing sample. Assuming that my compliant is validated, what options are typically offered in a situation such as this? What is the best case sinario? Taking the test for free in October is not what I am looking for, I just do not want to wait that long. Also what is the average amount of time it takes for an investigation to be concluded, from the time the complaint is received to the time the file is closed and the complainant is notified?

]]>