Whether you are thinking about applying to law school now or in the future, one key component of your application will be your LSAT scores.
In addition to ensuring you follow a strong preparation plan, you’ll also want to consider some recent exam changes when you decide to first take the LSAT and plan for possibly retesting.
In 2017, the Law School Admission Council announced several changes related to the LSAT : the removal of limitations on the number of times a test-taker can sit for the LSAT in a two-year period, an expanded testing schedule, two digital LSAT pilot tests and a partnership with Khan Academy to develop free personalized online LSAT practice materials.
Another major change to the LSAT landscape occurred this year as additional law schools — including Georgetown University Law Center and Harvard Law School — decided to accept the GRE in place of the LSAT.
As noted previously in this blog, other schools may jump onboard with the GRE as an LSAT alternative, but don’t discount the LSAT at this point, particularly given that the majority of law schools do not currently accept the GRE.
[Read more about the GRE vs. LSAT.]
The long-term impact of all these changes has yet to be determined. There may very well be additional changes to the testing landscape, given LSAC’s interest in innovation and making the LSAT more accessible to a larger population.
But for individuals thinking about applying to law school next year or thereafter, consider these two key changes as you think about when to take the LSAT and whether to retake it.
Increased Test Frequency
Starting in mid-2018, the LSAT will be offered six times a year, instead of four. Also, beginning in 2019, the testing year will begin in July, instead of June.
Susan Krinsky, chair of LSAC’s board of trustees and associate dean for students at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, has stated that the “additional test dates are an important part of LSAC’s continuing efforts to reduce barriers to entry into legal education.”
The expanded test schedule on the horizon offers prospective law school students more opportunities to take — and, if needed, retake — the exam. However, keep in mind that most law schools continue to accept students on a rolling basis — and it remains in your best interest to submit your application, complete with any and all LSAT scores, as early as possible in the admissions cycle.
[Learn when to postpone LSAT testing.]
As you prepare for the LSAT in 2018 and beyond, think in terms of when you ideally want to submit completed applications to your chosen schools. If you want to apply early decision, for example, the November 2018 test may be too late if you are applying to New York University Law School or the University of Pennsylvania Law School, both of which currently have Nov. 15 early decision deadlines.
Another key deadline to consider in your testing — and possible retesting — analysis is schools’ regular admissions deadline. While some of the top-50 ranked schools have summer deadlines, the vast majority have deadlines in February or March.
Pay attention to this key date at the outset of your application strategy development — and think critically both about when to take the LSAT initially and about giving yourself the chance to retake, if needed. If you first sit for the LSAT in November 2018, for example, the January 2019 exam is your only opportunity to retest prior to many law schools’ application deadlines.
No Retake Limitations
LSAT testers were once restricted to retake the exam a maximum of three times in a two-year period. But as of the September 2017 LSAT, you are no longer limited on the number of times you can take the exam over two years. Prospective law students may rejoice about this change.
Yet, as the old saying goes: Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. To contextualize, although you can theoretically take the test as many times as you’d like over the course of two years, this strategy is unsound.
[Know whether retaking the LSAT, updating an application is necessary.]
While it’s true that law school admissions committees only need to hone in on your highest LSAT score, they are privy to all of your results. Research how all the schools to which you intend to apply handle multiple test scores, since they can vary in their approaches.
Generally, you will not be served by having many test scores as part of your application profile, particularly if your scores vary widely. Inconsistent scores will make it harder for an admissions committee to evaluate whether your LSAT performance is indicative of your abilities.
As you think through your overall approach to the LSAT, consider these general guidelines:
1. Take as few LSATs as possible. Ideally, take it only once, perform to the best of your ability and leave zero doubt regarding your aptitude.
2. Only take the LSAT when you are fully prepared and ready.
3. Retake the exam only in the event of some aberration.
4. Take the test only two to three times at most.
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Factor LSAT Changes Into Testing Strategy originally appeared on usnews.com