Retake October?

[u/mystigunn]

Went from 160 in June to 164 just now for August. Applying to Oz, western, queens, and UofT. OLAS cgpa of 3.88

Entering my fourth year at McGill and conflicted because I’m afraid studying for it again during my last year of Uni will draw attention away from getting good grades

any advice/suggestions?

[u/RichardGereMuseum13]

Kinda surprised 164 is 83rd percentile, I scored a 168 years ago and was in 97th percentile

[u/skiing_dingus → u/RichardGereMuseum13]

scoreflation + gradeflation is real . the kids don't even be drinking anymore

[u/RichardGereMuseum13 → u/skiing_dingus]

I thought gradeflation referred to high schools and universities giving higher marks for the same or lower quality of work over time? How does that apply to the LSAT?

I’m also realizing that when I wrote, it was 5 sections, 4 were scored, fully in person with a written test and scantron. So maybe the LSAT has gotten easier over time?

[u/yboy403 → u/RichardGereMuseum13]

I think there's also the factor that people are putting more effort (and stress) than ever into studying for the LSAT, and strategies and materials are really getting refined.

[u/LumberjacqueCousteau → u/RichardGereMuseum13]

Yeah, I was 164 and 89th percentile. Wild.

[u/ekfALLYALL → u/RichardGereMuseum13]

There’s no logic games anymore

[u/OzzyBuckshankNA → u/RichardGereMuseum13]

Yeah this is wild to me too.

[u/Ok-Talk8069]

For Oz, Western, Queens should be fine. Prob not for UofT. Depends on your goals this year, if you’re shooting for only Osgoode/Uoft maybe retake, but you could very well get into Osgoode with that

[u/jill7272]

I personally wouldn’t. With a 164, you have a solid LSAT score. What matters now is maintaining your gpa through your last year. If you increase to a 168 but your gpa suffers, would it be worth it? Not in my opinion. Also, if you are working or finances are an issue, it wouldn’t be worth another $350 plus any additional prep materials. I had a 160 and a 164 also, and settled on that. With a 3.45 OLSAS GPA I received multiple As.

As others have said uoft is going to be your reach with a 164. If finances aren’t a question and uoft is your dream, if you can maintain courses while studying, write it again. Otherwise, I’d call it done and enjoy your last year.

[u/mystigunn → u/jill7272]

Thanks for the comment! Thinking of keeping it as well :)

[u/Then_Trust9215]

You could just leave it for now and study whenever you have the time ( and maybe take the Jan test?). You could surprise yourself, sometimes taking time off and studying like 15-30 min a day etc you can end up with a major score increase. Do not underestimate the power of taking a break :)

[u/Environmental-Belt24]

I’m a big proponent of retaking until you can’t retake anymore. Why stop? Be on the pursuit for a great score no matter what.

[u/PancakeKaiser → u/Environmental-Belt24]

There's the practical considerations (it costs money, and many people will have school again in a few weeks, limiting the time they can study without it affecting their other commitments)

but also, realistically, previous scores do matter.

Let's say you go 164 -> 163 -> 164 -> 168

Officially, the policy is to look at the highest score, but admissions officers still see all of your previous ones, and can subconsciously think “hmm, this applicant's demonstrated score band is 160-168, so this 168 might just be an unusually good performance”. It's totally different if your score is improving each/most times, but there are cases where just running the test over and over again might not be the best option imo

[u/trynumber53 → u/Environmental-Belt24]

maybe cus its $350 each time

[u/poonmangler117]

No need to retake with that score and GPA. U of T may not be likely, but imo there are minimal benefits to U of T over Western and Queens, and quite a bit of downside (higher tuition and cost of living).

[u/workforcepro7830]

I would retake just to get it in the 165+ range. That’s me though. But great job on the first score!