Retake 4th time? Forum

[whenseptemberends]

Hi,

I received my September score and got a 165. Very disappointed as my practice score average was a 173. Put in a lot of time for this test, much more so than the previous two and thought I had prepared adequately. Went -7 on LG, where I typically go -0. I feel like my score was a bit of a fluke and am very confident I could do better.

Unfortunately this was my third retake (164, 167, now 165).

I would like to attend law school next fall and was planning to apply as soon as I received my score.

My question: if my goal is to attend the best school I can next year, will I help or hurt my cause by retaking in December? My understanding is that your apps are frozen when you are flagged as taking an upcoming LSAT. If, hypothetically, I scored say, 170, would my application be better off for this cycle than if I just applied now, with the 167 as my best?

Thanks very much for your time and input.

Edit to add: I am open to not attending next fall, but would like to add here that I already put off not attending last fall for the sake of a retake. I am at a point in my life where I'd like to avoid doing that again. I understand it may be necessary but it's a priority for me to avoid it.

[sparkytrainer]

Just retake. Go to school when you have the score necessary. Law school will always be there.

[goldenflash19]

OP, I was in a similar position with similar scores. I hit my PT’s on the 4th take, and my prior takes did not affect my cycle. I’d retake. Good luck!

[Mikey]

OP, I was in a similar position with similar scores. I hit my PT’s on the 4th take, and my prior takes did not affect my cycle. I’d retake. Good luck!

That's actually really good to know, thanks!