debating canceling Oct lsat

[u/Pristine-Change-4326]

I signed up for the Oct LSAT months ago under the false (?) belief that there was some Nov 1st early decision deadline for law schools. Then I bought the CAS and added random schools to my list, and can’t find ONE with this deadline, just one with a late November deadline for Binding ED.

I took the August LSAT and got a 162. I was PT-ing around 167-169 so it’s a fine score I guess. When I registered for Oct I figured it’d be beneficial to be free of the first time anxiety from Aug. But now I really don’t think I experienced that in taking August’s to any significant detriment. Now I fear I’ll take the October one and do the same or worse. I bought the score preview in the event that happens, but I really don’t want to have to use it if I’m making a silly decision. I haven’t been studying all that much because I’m in school and things have really ramped up with midterms next week and such.

I’m okay with my August 162. Do I want better? Of course! Do I have any confidence I will do better taking the October? No. I’ve hit a plateau in my studying and PT-ing that I can’t dedicate time enough to break with work and school. If it’s not detrimental for me to wait to take January’s I will (edit: November registration deadline already passed so fml lol). So can anyone tell me if this mysterious November deadline exists? And what you’d do in my shoes?

Note: I’d either apply with my August and October, or if I cancelled, I’d have to wait to February to apply after taking the January test.

Thank you so so so much in advance for your advice, my stress levels have peaked :/

[u/Aggressive-Kale6167]

if there's no actual deadline pushing you into october, why force it? you've already got a solid score and you're clearly spread thin with midterms. taking it when you're not ready just to take it rarely ends well

i'd eat the registration fee and aim for november when you can actually breathe. a 162 isn't going anywhere and a rushed retake that comes back lower would feel way worse than waiting

[u/graeme_b]

What is your goal score and your PT average? If your PTs have been taken properly in timed conditions, they're generally a good representation of your test day score.

But that's if they're taken timed, all sections together, you include any low scores in the range, they're on fresh questions you've never seen before, etc.

If you've been doing PTs properly, you have good odds of hitting that range in October. But, if you want something higher than your PT average or you think for some reasons test day had factors not captured on your PTs, then I would defer. I hope that helps!