Big LSAT jump

[vonteego]

I took the LSAT two years ago without prep and bombed it (I had no idea what I was doing!). I took the LSAT last month and scored 14 points higher (into the 160's). The schools I'm interested in apparently consider only the high score for admission purposes but will see both scores. Do I need to explain the jump in an addendum? My GPA is 3.9+ (undergrad) and 4.0 (grad school).

Thanks!

[Ashley O]

That's a pretty significant jump, but I'm not certain it would require an explanation. The scores were two years apart, and that might be enough for them to feel that is a sufficient explanation. Plus, your explanation would really be that you didn't prep the first time and did prep the second time, and I'm not sure that's compelling enough to make them to read an extra statement.

[Jeffort]

Either way you are in good shape.  A recent LSAT score in the 160 range plus a 3.9+ UG GPA and 4.0 grad school GPA is golden.  

It's the type of numbers combination that upon initial basic review gets admission committees interested and maybe saying things like "Hey adcom peeps, lets read this one more carefully and check out his personal statement and stuff to see what this guy is all about, he seems smart and interesting so far and I want to know his story."

You want their attention to stay focused on your numbers and then onto your personal 'soft factor' information (personal statement, LORs, etc.) rather than guiding them to think about a 2 year old poor LSAT score.

However, many schools specify in their application materials that they want an addendum/explanation for multiple LSAT scores with a big point spread and they are going to see the low score on your report no matter what you do.

That being said, in order to make sure you satisfy the requirements I say include an addendum but keep it really short.  Literally 2 or 3 well constructed sentences at most only if they require it for a big score difference.

[LSAT Eliminator]

I'm of the opinion that the best approach is to not submit a statement unless you are specifically asked to address a big score jump. Even with Jeffort's 2-3 sentence paragraph, you are adding another piece of paper for them to read, and one that doesn't really have a whole lot of content, and addresses an issue with a 2-year gap in it. Skip it, I think.

[Anne]

I would agree with Eliminator and Ashley. Given that the poor score is 2 years old, it would be self-explanatory that you simply took the time to study for this administration. If you'd had that kind of jump from June to October of the same year, then an explanation might be warranted, but in this case, I think you're fine without one.

[Jeffort]

Alright, I think we are all on the same side here.  Don't do it unless a particular school requires an explanation for a big point jump.  To make that clear I bolded and enlarged the font of the 'only if' phrase in my post.

[vonteego]

Thanks for the feedback...I really appreciate the advice.

[lawdog]

By the way, congrats on the big jump!  a lot of test-takers take the LSAT cold (without any preparation) and then if it doesn't go as well as they hoped, they give up. It's great that you put in the time and effort to prepare, and ended up with a score that is obviously a better reflection of your ability.

[vonteego]

I appreciate it....four hours a day in the classroom followed by three hours a day in the basement of the library doing LSAT prep made for a memorable summer to say the least:)