LSAT SCORES: To Keep or Not to Keep...
…that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler for the application to suffer
The slings and arrows of a less-than-ideal LSAT score,
Or to take action against a score of troubles,
And by doing so have a "cancel" on the record?
If you opt for Score Preview when you take the LSAT, you will find yourself with the power to cancel your score after you see it. With that great power also comes the great responsibility of deciding if you should cancel that score. I have this conversation a lot with my students (just call be Aunt May), so here are a few key things to consider when faced with the question to keep or not to keep:
WHERE IS THIS SCORE RELATIVE TO YOUR GOAL?
You may not have reached your goal score yet, but that doesn't mean this score can't still be valuable. If there are any law schools out there on your list that you could and would apply to with this score, you may want to keep it around as a solid foundation. A later LSAT score that is higher will be better, for sure, and it will also be the score most schools consider, but having a lower score on the record is generally* not going to harm you. At worst, schools may ask for an additional essay discussing what changed for you between tests - another opportunity to tell them about yourself! On the other hand, if this score is one you would never apply to law school with, there isn't really any upside to keeping it around.
*A few schools do still average score, so you may want to look into if that's any on your list.
WHERE IS THIS SCORE RELATIVE TO ANY PAST SCORES?
If this was not your first time taking the LSAT, you will want to compare this score to any that are already on your record. Is it lower? Definitely get rid of it. Is it significantly higher (in score or percentile)? Great job! Keep it around to show what you can do. Is it at or near your previous scores? That's where things get grayer. A small increase is something to consider keeping (especially if it bumps you up into a higher percentile), but two similar LSAT scores can also signify to a school that they are a more accurate representation of your skills. If those two scores aren't where you know you can ultimately end up, that could hurt. This is a great time to talk through the specifics of your past performance, future plans, and target schools with a trusted advisor.
HAVE YOU CANCELED AN LSAT SCORE BEFORE NOW?
The last factor to consider is the non-score side of your record. Many people take the LSAT more than once, and it is not unusual to see a cancellation in an applicant's history. Life happens, after all, and so do technical issues. Schools get it. But if there are multiple cancellations in your history, it may raise some questions that you'd prefer not to answer. In an ideal world, we keep our extra scores and cancellations down to one each. If you took the LSAT before and canceled THAT score, then it may be better to keep this one and try again, regardless of the number. Then take that next LSAT when you know you are ready - third time is the charm!
And thus the urgent need for resolution
Is soothed o'er with the clearer light of thought,
And decisions of great stress and moment
With this perspective their doubts turn away,
And loose power into action.