Will a Score Drop Hurt Your Application?

Once you have a strong LSAT score, you might hesitate to take the test again.

What if you score lower?

Don’t worry about it. If your practice tests show you can do better, go for it.

Your Best Score Doesn’t Disappear

Test day doesn’t always go as planned.

You might retake the LSAT and score several points lower. But your earlier, higher score is still on record. One disappointing result doesn’t change what you’ve already done.

Law schools will only report your higher score.

Let Your Practice Tests Guide You

Don’t retake the LSAT simply because you want a higher score. Retake because you have evidence you can earn one.

If your best official score is a 170 and you regularly score several points higher on practice tests, there’s room to improve.

What if your practice tests don't show you can do better?

Keep studying until they do. Then retake. 

Get Greedy for Those Last Few Points

A couple more LSAT points can make a big difference in your outcomes.

Law schools care about their LSAT medians. If a few more LSAT points move you from below a school’s median to above it, your application becomes much more valuable to that school.

Even one LSAT point could be worth $10,000 in scholarship money. 

Don’t Get Defensive

Some law schools ask applicants to explain a significant difference in LSAT scores.

If a school asks, follow its instructions. But don’t turn a straightforward explanation into a lengthy defense.

Your explanation might be as simple as:

“My practice-test scores indicated that I could do better, so I took the LSAT again.”

You thought you could improve so you retook the test. If you eventually proved yourself right with a higher score, the result speaks for itself.

Bet on Yourself

Retaking the LSAT when you already have a score that’s “good enough” can feel greedy. Good.

If you’ve put in the work and your practice tests show you’re capable of more, trust that evidence. Don’t let the possibility of a bad test day convince you to settle for less than your best.

You’ve already put yourself in position to score higher. Bet on yourself and go get that score.

 

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