How do schools look at multiple LSAT scores?

[JakeC]

If I take the LSAT again in October, will schools average my June and October scores? Take the highest? Take the most recent?

[Anne]

If I take the LSAT again in October, will schools average my June and October scores? Take the highest? Take the most recent?

That depends on each school, Jake. Some schools look only at the highest, some look at the range (and see if you went up, down, or stayed the same), and others take the average. Each institution has a different policy about it. Which schools are you looking at? Give me a little more info and I'll get you some specifics.

I will tell you, though, that the ABA (American Bar Association, which regulates U.S. law schools and keeps stats on applicants, admits, and grads), only requires schools to report admitted students' highest LSAT score, and not the average or range. However, even though that policy gives law schools more of an incentive to only consider the highest LSAT score, that doesn't mean that all of them do. Like I said, give me some school names and I'll see what I can find out.

[JakeC]

Seems weird that there's not more consistency among the schools. 

I'm really not yet sure where all I'll end up applying. I'm gonna wait to get my June LSAT score first, then decide what to do from there.

[Anne]

Seems weird that there's not more consistency among the schools.  

I'm really not yet sure where all I'll end up applying. I'm gonna wait to get my June LSAT score first, then decide what to do from there.

I know; it does seem a little silly (and can definitely be frustrating). I put myself in the schools' shoes, though, since I can definitely see how different cases might call for different approaches. For example, think about someone that took the LSAT 4 years ago and then took it again four MONTHS ago--which one do you think it a more representative score? Probably the more recent one, even if it is lower -- in that case, the average (or even just the last score by itself) might be the best way to consider the applicant's ability. But then say that you're looking at an applicant that's taken the test in June, then October, and the December of the last year, and their December examination is the highest score -- they likely studied between each test and ended up with their best performance being last; in that case, the highest score is the most representative. Then again, a third applicant might take it in February, then June, and then October, with their scores going up in June and then down in October. In that last case, maybe an average is the best way to go, since they didn't demonstrate a clear score pattern either up or down.

[JakeC]

Wait, so you're saying schools pick whichever score they feel is "most representative" of the applicant? That seems even more weird. It's understandable (sort of) that some schools may look at multiple scores differently than others, but I figured each school would pick one way of doing it and stick with it...either highest, average, or most recent.
 

[Anne]

Wait, so you're saying schools pick whichever score they feel is "most representative" of the applicant? That seems even more weird. It's understandable (sort of) that some schools may look at multiple scores differently than others, but I figured each school would pick one way of doing it and stick with it...either highest, average, or most recent.
 

Not all of them. Most top law schools, in particular, look at each applicant on a case-by-case basis, and make a determination based on the entirety of the applicant's testing history and the content of their application. This is why it's usually better for an applicant to study their butt off and take the LSAT just once. Then you don't have to worry about your LSAT score being averaged, or being anything other than exactly the score you got.

That being said, though, there are schools that simply take the highest LSAT score. The Dean of Admissions at Emory, for example, is very candid in what he does with LSAT scores. When I spoke to him, he basically said he looks at the highest LSAT score, no matter how recent or old it is (as long as it is still valid with LSAC). I asked him, point-blank, if he would still take the highest one even if it was an old score and you had more recent (but lower) scores on your LSAT Score Report, and he said, "Nope, all I care about is the highest one. I don't care when it's from, I just care that it's the highest one."

Other schools consider all the scores AND their average. Consider Harvard Law: "If you take the test more than once, all scores and their average will be reported and considered."

And Yale Law: "We do not average scores nor do we look at only your high score."

And then also look at Michigan Law: "The ABA requires law schools to report score information based on an admitted student's highest score, and therefore, that is the score to which we give the most weight.  We do, however, consider the average score as well, because data provided by the Law School Admissions Council suggests that it has the greatest predictive utility. The average score becomes less useful, as the disparity between two scores increases; for that reason, if you have a significant disparity between scores (six or more points), it would be very helpful to address any explanation for the difference in an optional essay or addendum."

See? It varies from school to school. That's why I always tell students to, if at all possible, only take the LSAT once. It takes away a lot of the panic and "what-ifs" if you only have score that you need to worry about.

[Jeffort]

Anna Ivey recently wrote some insightful stuff about canceling scores, taking the test multiple times, having multiple scores, etc. how to deal with such situations, and how those things can effect you in the LS application process.  It's a pretty good read.  I've always found Anna Ivey's advice and insight to be excellent. 

http://www.annaivey.com/iveyfiles/2010/06/yikes_should_i_cancel_my_lsat_score

[Anne]

Anna Ivey recently wrote some insightful stuff about canceling scores, taking the test multiple times, having multiple scores, etc. how to deal with such situations, and how those things can effect you in the LS application process.  It's a pretty good read.  I've always found Anna Ivey's advice and insight to be excellent. 

http://www.annaivey.com/iveyfiles/2010/06/yikes_should_i_cancel_my_lsat_score

I love Anna. She's always spot-on.

[lawdog]

Wait, so you're saying schools pick whichever score they feel is "most representative" of the applicant? That seems even more weird. It's understandable (sort of) that some schools may look at multiple scores differently than others, but I figured each school would pick one way of doing it and stick with it...either highest, average, or most recent.
 

[lawdog]

If I were a director of admissions, and I were considering Candidate A, who took the LSAT twice and got a 145 and then a 165, and Candidate B, who took the test once and got a 160, if all else were equal, I cant help but think I'd prefer candidate A--when I'm reporting the incoming class' average LSAT score to the public, candidate A allows me to report a 165.  

It makes sense that the highest score should weigh more heavily; in the case of the student with a 145 and a 165, there is little question in my mind which score is more accurately reflective of that student's abilities. You might be completely unprepared the first time you take it (or get sick, etc.) and get a score that doesn't really show your full potential, but you can't just luck into a 165--statistically it would be nearly impossible to achieve such a score without some degree of legitimate expertise.

[JakeC]

That makes a lot more sense. Thanks, Lawdog!

I suppose I need to increase more than just a few points for the new score to stand alone as my true potential, rather than two scores within a small range.

[Anne]

That makes a lot more sense. Thanks, Lawdog!

I suppose I need to increase more than just a few points for the new score to stand alone as my true potential, rather than two scores within a small range.

All the admissions deans I've spoken to have told me that they need to see an increase of at least 5 points (either up or down) for it to make a difference. A difference of only 1 or 2 points won't really do anything for you.

[Anne]

If I were a director of admissions, and I were considering Candidate A, who took the LSAT twice and got a 145 and then a 165, and Candidate B, who took the test once and got a 160, if all else were equal, I cant help but think I'd prefer candidate A--when I'm reporting the incoming class' average LSAT score to the public, candidate A allows me to report a 165.  

It makes sense that the highest score should weigh more heavily; in the case of the student with a 145 and a 165, there is little question in my mind which score is more accurately reflective of that student's abilities. You might be completely unprepared the first time you take it (or get sick, etc.) and get a score that doesn't really show your full potential, but you can't just luck into a 165--statistically it would be nearly impossible to achieve such a score without some degree of legitimate expertise.

And that's an awesome point. Thanks, lawdog!