Welcome to the latest installment of Law Admissions Q&A, a monthly feature that provides admissions advice to readers who send in questions and admissions profiles.
If you have a question about law school, please email me for a chance to be featured next month.
This week, I will answer questions about retaking the LSAT, including in February, after you’ve earned a disappointing score.
I prepared thoroughly for and took the September LSAT but ended up scoring significantly worse than I did on the practice tests I took leading up to the exam. I was scoring in the mid-170s on recent practice tests under timed, simulated conditions in the several weeks before the September test, but I ended up scoring in the mid-150s on test day. Needless to say, I was shocked. I am now preparing for the December exam and I am wondering two things: How did my score drop so much, and what should I do differently in my last couple of weeks of preparation for the December exam? -Shocked Tester
Dear Shocked Tester: First off, I am sorry to hear about your disappointing September score. In my eight years of teaching and tutoring the LSAT, I have never seen such a drastic difference between practice test scores and the real test.
Based on the fact that you said you were shocked by your score, I assume there was nothing significant that happened during the test that would explain the drop — e.g., a major disturbance in the room or some sort of emotional event during the test. It is impossible for me to say what caused the drop in your score, but common situations beyond test-day irregularities — such as fatigue, nerves and distraction from other aspects of your life.
[Be sure to evaluate your September LSAT scores when debating a December retake.]
Whether or not there is a way to explain the precipitous drop in your score, you should remain confident in your preparation and ability to perform well on the December test. Keep in mind that the LSAT is a standardized test, which means that its value as a test is in its ability to consistently and accurately measure the abilities of many different test-takers over multiple test dates.
In other words, the fact that you were scoring in the mid-170s is a strong, consistent indication of your ability, and the September LSAT score is an aberration: You didn’t suddenly lose the ability to do well on the test.
Continue your preparation as you did a few weeks before the test. You were clearly prepared and something strange caused you to underperform on test day.
[Get insight into how law schools view LSAT scores.]
I took the September LSAT exam and scored below my potential, but I waited too long to register for the December exam. I am now registered for the February exam. Will it be too late for me to submit applications after I receive my February score? -Concerned February Tester
Dear Concerned February Tester: Most law schools in the U.S. have application deadlines that will allow you to submit your application after your receive your February LSAT score in early March. The Law School Admission Council states on its website that scores will be released electronically on March 2, but it usually submits scores one or two days before the published date. Even for the schools with March 1 or earlier application deadlines, you should still be able to submit your February LSAT for consideration.
For those schools whose deadlines are before you receive your score, though, you should make sure to know what their protocol is for accepting February scores. Some schools, like Columbia University Law School, require you to submit your completed application with your September score and then submit a written petition to have your February score considered.
[Discover three ways to boost the chances of a late law school application.]
Others will automatically put your submitted application on hold if you are registered to take the February exam. Still others provide space on the application to indicate whether you are registered for the February exam and whether you would like the admissions committee to hold off on considering your application until you submit the later score.
In short, if you are applying to schools with deadlines that fall before March 2 but you want them to consider your February LSAT score, this is possible — but make sure you know exactly how to make each school aware of your intention. I recommend calling admissions offices to be certain that you are following their protocol.
More from U.S. News
Applying to Specialized Law School Programs
Comparing LSAT Preparation Methods: What the Data Say
Thorny Questions About Another Attempt, Disclosure on the LSAT
Address a Low LSAT Score Ahead of a Retake originally appeared on usnews.com
