LSAT: To Cancel or Not to Cancel?

It is an important decision - nothing to be slighted. Many more students feel like they have done worse on the exam than usual. Logistically, you have 6 days to make a decision - but since you need to mail-in your request, you actually have less time (more like 3 days). 

Unless you completely messed up (e.g., mis-bubbled an entire section), hold your horses and don't cancel right away. Spend a day or two - let the dust settle and allow the air to clear. Most people are in no state to make a rational decision (that's in their best interest), immediately after sitting through a 4+ hour (mind-numbing) exam. Don't think about the LSAT during the next two days. Permit your subconscious to do all the sorting and reorganizing. 

After your brief two-day mental escape from the LSAT, regroup and think about the worst case scenario, that is, think about how much you got wrong in each section? Re-live and review each section in your head (e.g., Section 1 - was experimental; Section 2 - was logical reasoning and I ran out of time during the last 3 questions, so considering that I usually get about 2 wrong when I have no time-constraints, approximately 5 wrong; Section 3 - was logic games....etc.). 

Approximate your score based on how much you got wrong. Use a 'Conversion Chart' from a past PrepTest to guesstimate your LSAT score. You can find a conversion chart here (scroll down to page 40).

Definitely cancel your score, if:

• you are more than 3 points below your desired LSAT score, AND
• you have a score on your record from a previously administered LSAT.

DO NOT cancel your score, if:

• you are hovering within 3 points of your desired LSAT score, AND
• this is your first time taking the LSAT.

Retaking the LSAT is not a bad thing. While it is best to get a top-notch score on the first try, you can still get into the best of the best law schools with more than one LSAT score on your record. 

For those that don't fit neatly into one of the above two "if" categories, the decision is tougher because your score can swing either way. If you aren't sure of what to do or going crazy from this decision making process, email me - I'll help you.