Did your score come back within 3 or 4 points of your consistent practice exam scores? If so, and if you prepared well for the test, keep the score and run with it. And congratulate yourself! The LSAT is behind you. Start looking at schools based on your LSAC GPA and this LSAT score. See if you’re happy with the schools you come up with. (Lots of info on creating a schools list in my book.)
In recent years, a lot of people are tempted to retake the LSAT just because they can. They think, “Well, if I study for three months I can get 2 more points for sure.” But it’s not “for sure.” See this chart by AtlasLSAT about average increases on second tries. Plus, that’s three more anxiety filled months, with more money down the drain on test fees and test prep.
If your score didn’t come back within a few points of your consistent practice exam scores, or if you didn’t take enough practice exams to get consistent, then you should re-take the test in October. A lot of people worry that this will put them behind in the rolling admission process. For those folks I have two remarks: (1) You will still be able to apply in time for Early Decision and Early Notification deadlines at schools (usually Nov. 1 and Nov. 15) and you’ll certainly be able to submit all your applications before Thanksgiving if you get your act together now; and (2) getting a score 3-4 points higher is worth the payoff of waiting just a few weeks to apply. That is absolutely “for sure.”
Here are some previous posts you might find helpful:
You have your June LSAT score. Now What? – this post has a bit of info about how schools view multiple scores.
Thinking of re-taking the LSAT in October? Read this post.
Taking the LSAT for the first time in October and planning to self-study? Here are some resources:
Three Month Study Program from Ace the LSAT Blog
ManhattanLSAT Self-Study Options
P.S. For those of you thinking, “What??! Scores are out? I didn’t get mine!!!” please know that I’m posting this in advance because I expect scores to come out by email this afternoon/evening. They are scheduled to come out Monday. I’m being proactive!
20 Responses
One more thing – if you’re not retaking the test, you can feel let down, like this seals your fate. Don’t look at it that way. Your LSAT is just one piece of the puzzle and so much of the application process is still within your control. If you’re feeling down today, don’t make any major life decisions until Monday. A few days’ perspective can make all the difference.
Hi Ann,
I took the June LSAT. I did some studying, but not much (about 50 hours total). I scored 157, well lower than my avg. practice score of 169. I think I should retake as my nerves got the best of me, and some extra studying might be helpful. Have you see others in this situation retake and do well the second time around?
Jane,
I do think you’re likely to improve on the next go-around given that your practice scores were more than 10 points higher on average and you didn’t even put your “all” into preparation.
Ann
Ann,
I took the June LSAT and scored a 150 (I had been scoring 155-158 on my practice tests studying on my own.)
My problem is that once LSAC combined (and slaughtered) my undergrad GPA it came out to a 2.49.
Should I re-take the LSAT in hopes of a higher score? Or are there still some decent schools I can get into? Apply and see what happens? Any help is appreciated.
Hi Josh,
You should be doing a few points higher on the LSAT based on your practice exam scores. No harm in giving it another (dedicated) shot.
The GPA will absolutely require an addendum.
I think if you choose schools wisely and raise your LSAT score a few points there will be options for you if you play your cards right.
Ann
Hello Ann,
I got my LSAT score back and although it was a 136 combined with my 3.45 GPA…I was slightly impressed. I’ve taken the LSAT test three times and the past scores were as follows 129 (Cold testing in Feb. 2008), 128(Studied w/materials from 1998; testing in Feb. 2009 ) and now 136(Studied w/materials from Princeton Law Review 2010; testing in Jun. 2010). I truly want to attend law school, but need some advice in how and where to apply? If needed, should I retake the LSAT, if so when?
Thank you.
Gregory,
You can’t apply with this LSAT score. It would be a waste of time and effort. You need a prep course and/or a private LSAT tutor. Studying on your own (even with recent materials) is not going to change your outcome. You need to prepare correctly to get a better result.
I wish you all the best – there are lots of tips on different prep options throughout my blog so take some time to search through.
Hi Ann,
I took the LSAT in June and received a 170. Unfortunately, my UGPA is a paltry 2.2. I’m looking to get into any one of two local Tier 3 schools part-time. You mentioned above that a score similarly low would require an addendum. In my case, I have no excuse for my performance. I had little interest in going to school at that time and my grades clearly reflect that sad fact. Should I address this in an addendum and, if so, how do I go about doing this in a way that without painting myself in an even worse light? I have been out of school for six years and working full time as an IT Manager for a small company without any lapse in employment. I am also now married with real responsibilities that were lacking when I was wasting my life away.
Thank you for your time!
CvP
Hey Ann,
I got a 149 on my June LSAT, which is about 6-7 points lower than expected/hoped for. I also have a 3.7 GPA with division I athletics, mission work, and others in my extracurriculars.
Should I retake it? Where do you think I can get in?
Ken
Hi Ken,
I don’t answer the “where do you think I can get in” question on the blog because I need to know a lot more about you – falls more under the work I do with my consulting clients. However, I need you to answer something about the 149 – were you just “hoping” to do 6-7 points higher, or were you ACTUALLY hitting 6-7 points higher on consistent practice exams? That makes all the difference in my advice.
Hey Anne,
I just got my February LSAT score back. I got 140…i’m going to retake it in June, but this time i’m really gonna try my best. Unfortunately, i’m still in school full time and when i’m not at school i’m working, so that leaves me with very little time to study.
However, i’m an international student with a bachelor in International Relations. I speak 5 languages other than portuguese: english, italian, spanish, french (poorly) and russian (poorly as well).
I work as an Apple Technical Advisor giving assistance to the UK and Ireland Apple users and i also tutor a 6th grader. Besides all that, i can play multiple musical instruments (i know that is not impressive, but in my country with didn’t have any extra-curricular activities)…Althought i did do some voluntary work as a translator to Amnesty International.
Anyway, my question is: if i’m able to increase my LSAT score in June, do you think i have a chance at Harvard Law? By the way, my GPA (in Portugal) is 16 (on a scale 0-20).
Thankx
Hi Sofia, I haven’t seen anyone go from a 140 to a 175, so Harvard may not be in the cards for you. I love your language skills – that’s great stuff. I think you definitely need to consider a prep program and/or tutor before you retake the LSAT. Please let me know if I can help in any way.
Hi Ann,
well i know it’s gonna be difficult but i’m committed! There’s not many schools i can apply to….so all i can do is try my best to achieve the nearly impossible.
I decided to retake the LSAT in October instead of June. That way i have more time to prepare and i’ll have more free time to study once school is done.
We don’t have any prep courses here in Portugal and it’s not like i can afford one anyways…lol
But that’s ok, because i’m going to purchase some more LSAT prep tests from the LSAC website.
I’ll let you know how much i score once i retake it.
Thankx
Hello Ann,
First, thank you for this wonderful blog! I recently took the LSAT for the first time in June. My score was not at all what I had exected- 147. On most standardized tests I’ve taken my score was in the 97-99th percentile.
I graduated from George Mason University with a degree in Theater with a GPA of 3.65. I have overcome poverty, domestic abuse and sexual assault, and I am 1/32 Native American. However, I just learned this through a family member and have not practiced. Also, I have volunteered extensively throughout the community in teaching capacities and as an organizer, and my letters of recommendation will support my dedication and achievements.
I am unsure of whether or not my SAT score was poor- 1160, so I don’t know if arguing that I do poorly on standardized tests would work.
Would you advise re-taking the LSAT and applying for some of the less-renowned schools even if I am unable to raise my score?
Thank you again for this wonderful website!
Jess
Hi Jess,
While your SAT wasn’t poor, it was slightly better percentile-wise than your LSAT score. If you think you could’ve done more to prepare and/or you were doing much better than 147 on practice tests, then retaking is probably your next move.
Thank you Ann. I just registered for the October exam.
Ann,
I am looking to apply to the University of Michigan Law in the fall. I haven’t taken the LSAT yet but I know I need to do well to get in. I’m just concerned that Michigan is out of my reach – I went there for undergrad but my GPA was a 3.3… below Michigan Law’s 25th percentile. If I get a great LSAT score, could that still open the door for me? I’m concerned that the amount of people who apply from Michigan undergrad will have higher GPAs and squeeze me out.
I don’t know if this helps at all, but I’m currently a Teach for America corps member and was president of a very large student group in college.
Thank you!
Katie, it’s certainly worth the time and effort to try! I have a client who was just admitted to U. Michigan with #s very, very low for the school but she had an extraordinary back story.
I just received my LSAT score and it was 149. I was really hoping to do well so I could apply for the fall of 2013. I don’t know if I should try and see what happens or wait and retake after I have had more time and less stress to study for it. I am a non-traditional student so taking more time to finish school is not appealing. I have a 2.894 GPA but there is something wrong with it so it should go up maybe to as high as a 3.0. I was looking into the University of Baltimore and University of Maryland Francis Carey School of Law. My GPA is also low because of medical issues I faced during my freshmen and sophomore year. Do schools take this into consideration.
Thank you for your help
Hi Robert,
I think you can try and see what happens and if you don’t succeed then you can take the June or fall LSAT this coming year and try again.
Schools do take these issues into consideration, especially where there is an upward trend.