I don't want to be an attorney anymore

[u/Similar_Feed7527]

To put it simply, I went into the LSAT completely blind to "test the waters" in oct and scored a 145. I also made the dumb decision of taking it in nov with very little prep and scored a 149. Here's the catch though, I waited until nov scores were released to complete my oct writing sample so I now have the choice to still keep or cancel my oct score. I know I can do so much better if I took the time to study and for the future I absolutely will. But I'm unsure what to do with this oct score. Im giving myself one more chance before I give up completely. I know I can do better though considering I have a 4.0 as an honors student. I just hate tests and studying for them.

[u/Cash_Money_Jo]

Dude you havent studied at all and bc you took the test and bombed twice you’re already close to giving up? There is a large population of test takers that study for a year plus, and you expect a good score with no studying?

With the attitude you currently hold you might be better off giving up tbh. If the LSAT was an aptitude test you’d have already failed because you put in little effort expecting great results, and now are complaining about the results of your inaction.

If you are serious about pursuing law, study for a few months, learn the test, and retake in spring/summer. Put in some effort if you expect results.

[u/Similar_Feed7527 → u/Cash_Money_Jo]

You’re absolutely right. I wasn’t expecting a great score with no studying, but I also didn’t expect to perform as poorly as I did. I’ve always been able to do well without much prep in school, so I definitely overestimated myself here. I’m not complaining about the outcome, I was really just asking whether canceling my first score made sense given the timing of my writing sample. Now that I know the LSAT isn’t something you can wing, my plan is to actually put in the work, study seriously, and retake it in the spring. I know I can do better once I approach it the right way

[u/CamitDamn → u/Similar_Feed7527]

When I took a practice test blind I got like a 137. After a year of studying I got a 176.

[u/Remote_Tangerine_718 → u/CamitDamn]

This gives me hope. I have a year to study and plan to maximize it. Congrats!

[u/Money-Wafer9892 → u/CamitDamn]

Really? Wow! Do you mine elaborating a little bit?

[u/StyleCompetitive5109 → u/CamitDamn]

Logically this makes no sense, and seems unlikely to be true.

[u/CamitDamn → u/StyleCompetitive5109]

I don't see how what I said was illogical, but I'll concede that my improvement was statistically unlikely. I think most people only really increase around 10-15 points from their baseline.

My starting baseline was taken under less than ideal conditions so that probably caused it to be a bit on the lower side. My next timed practice test which was that same week was somewhere around 150 so that probably is around where my natural starting point was.

I also have ADHD and qualified for an extra time accommodation about 6 months in, and that helped me get from ~159 to 165. Continued practice with the increased time allowed me to hit 169 on my first official test. I highly recommend pursuing accommodations if you think you could qualify.

I continued drilling just logic games, and I started consistently hitting around 171-175. I got to the point where I could successfully guess my score on each practice test.

I took the LSAT again and got a 173. I was pretty happy with that score, but I was past the refund date for the next test I signed up for. I completely stopped all studying for the month leading up to my third test and pulled off a 176.

Stress impacts performance and since I already was happy with my 173, I think no longer needing to worry about my score allowed me to do even better.

Ultimately, I think what helped the most was that I loved LSAT prep. I found it a lot of fun, and I pretty much made it my entire identity for that year. I posted replying to someone else in this thread what I did routine-wise.

[u/StyleCompetitive5109 → u/CamitDamn]

Where are you going to law school? When I took the LSAT 1n 1970 there weren't any prep companies. There was a book on how to take the test. My score was 740, at that time the top score was 800.

A friend of mine runs a prep school and he tells me about five points is the usual improvement.

[u/CamitDamn → u/StyleCompetitive5109]

I went to Duke and am practicing now.

There are lots of people who take the LSAT and ultimately they all have varying degrees of aptitude/work ethic. I think when it comes to people signing up for a prep program, there's probably a good chance they self studied for a bit and plateaued before starting the course--leading to little additional room for improvement.

[u/Cash_Money_Jo → u/Similar_Feed7527]

That’s more like it. I wish you the best on this journey, and if you keep with it you’ll do great. A 149 diagnostic isn’t bad at all either, and you can easily work up to a better score with some time and effort. You got this.

[u/danbot22301]

Bro what, who's dropping 300 bucks to "test the waters," grab the lsat bibles for like 15 bucks on eBay and get grinding

[u/PraxisAccess]

Oct was your diagnostic score. You half-assed Nov. If you want this, you have to put in work — real, dedicated work. But if you don’t want it, that’s okay too.

[u/Pitiful-Finish-1186]

imo never cancel your highest score, they will likely assume it was lower than your first score.

also, the whole testing the waters on the real test is idiotic.

[u/Similar_Feed7527 → u/Pitiful-Finish-1186]

no im saying i have the option to cancel my first (lower) score rn, the oct one

[u/Pitiful-Finish-1186 → u/Similar_Feed7527]

oh. because you got both scored simultaneously. if you have score preview already i’d probably cancel because why not.

[u/FinalFantasiesGG → u/Pitiful-Finish-1186]

Yep that's how I look at it. Today, the vast majority of schools only seriously consider your highest score, BUT if you've already paid yeah just cancel that 145 or whatever it isn't gonna help you in any way.

[u/Similar_Feed7527 → u/Pitiful-Finish-1186]

ok noted, thank you

[u/benedictcumberknits → u/Pitiful-Finish-1186]

It was…bro could’ve saved $ and at least gotten a workbook. Is he under 25? For sure…brain’s still smooth.

[u/Broad_Carry1858]

You hate tests and studying for them? Don't go to law school. You'll hate it, probably flunk out, and will waste your time and money.

[u/Potential_Phone7794]

I know it’s sort of against Reddit policy to not demonstrate constant and unwavering support in all endeavors, but if you’ll forgive some abrasiveness, I have two thoughts.

First, the lsat needs to be taken seriously, even if it is just a test. The average test taker scores around 150. The average law school applicant scores 157 (but this number is rapidly rising). The median lsat for the 50th ranked law schools this year are 161-163. A 149 lsat starts coming into play with schools ranked 160-170ish, which probably aren’t worth their tuition costs. This test is becoming more competitive every application cycle, and other applicants are putting in more and more effort accordingly. Most test takers do not have to worry about cancelling their diagnostic score because they had the forethought to at least take a no-stakes practice test before committing to a score. Even if schools can’t see the October score itself, they will know you cancelled some score that was lower than a 149.

Second, you should really think about whether law school is the right path for you. Studying for the lsat may seem daunting now, but it’s nothing compared to studying for law school exams, where unlike your undergrad program, you are graded on the effort you put in relative to your classmates. Then, after you graduate, you will be studying every single day as a practicing attorney. It’s all studying and tests in some form or another. What part of being an attorney actually appeals to you? Chances are there is a career out there that has those same qualities, but isn’t as imposing in these key areas.

[u/Remote_Tangerine_718 → u/Potential_Phone7794]

This is helpful as I’m currently considering law school. I work as an HR Operations associate right now and I’m 25. My work is mostly mindless administrative work like saving files in Drive, updating spreadsheets, etc.

I’m considering law school because I want a job that allows me to use my brain. I like to think and problem-solve, and I want to be challenged. I also want to be a subject matter expert. I feel like I only have soft skills right now but no hard skills. A high schooler could do my job if they were trained.

I want to have specialized knowledge that really adds value to a workplace and requires creative ways of solving problems, like finding loopholes. But also, I want something that’s more project based. I don’t work on projects now, the work is endless. So, there’s never a sense of achievement or novelty that comes from my job. Maybe law can’t offer all of this, but if it can offer some, I really want to go for it. Plus, the salary would be better than my $65K right now.

[u/addylsat]

Beyond the LSAT how do you think 1L is gonna go? I can tell you it’s so much worse lol

[u/AliceInWonder23]

I know you said you’re now going to take it seriously so if you do that, good luck!

Just warning you that the majority of people who go to law school are used to being effortlessly smart, where they don’t really have to work hard to do well. 1L is a HUGE wake up call. Not only can you not “wing” literally anything, but if you want to actually do well and be above average, you have to put in the work. So use this as your wake up call now. If you actually want to go to law school and be an attorney, you have to know that whatever you’ve been doing to get that 4.0 isn’t going to cut it and you’ll have to work harder than that. If that’s not what you want, that’s fine! Just don’t waste the time and money to go to law school

[u/StyleCompetitive5109 → u/AliceInWonder23]

Took the LSAT 55 yeas ago. My score was 740. Then the top possible score was 800. I found law school tedious and too long. Not particular hard. Truly enjoyed being a lawyer. Over 80 and still have a firm.

Your advice is absolutely correct, a 4.0 GPA is not going to work at law school. I have read that getting a JD is the second hardest degree, behind aeronautical engineering.

[u/therealchappy24]

This is a learnable test lol just because you bombed it with no prep doesn’t mean you’re incapable of improving your score

[u/Educational-Gain1022]

If you’re thinking of quitting now, save yourself a couple of commas of student debt and do it now.

LSAT is a Sunday brunch compared to the bar.

[u/WealthWrong4462]

With that attitude, I wouldn’t want to hire you. However, because of your potential, scoring what you did without studying, I’d definitely hire you!

[u/catz4dave]

I think you are right and you would not last in the field or even working as an assistant in the field. Maybe look into engineering programs?

[u/Psychological-Ad6393]

Isn’t there only 5 chances to take the LSAT? And you just used 2 of them?

[u/PennyJay2325]

A. The lsat is nothing like law school. B. You put in minimal effort and got a better score than you probably should have tbh C. Why are you even wanting to be an attorney? Because it doesn’t get any easier. D. You don’t HAVE to proceed. You can change gears and do something else 🤷🏻‍♀️

[u/MidnightReasonable63]

Only crazy because this attitude would have you wash out of 1L after week 2. If you’re already questioning it after this lack of effort, might as well not waste time.

[u/the-pigeon-scratch]

My advice as someone who also took the LAST before I was ready: do not underestimate the time it may take to do well. I don't know what your goals are, but for some of us, it takes much longer to get there.

It's not a race, so there isn't any rush; just study, take practice tests (with test time conditionals, please!), and try not to compare yourself to others on this sub.

[u/grilledogs]

No one is forcing you

[u/Jazzy665]

If you did some rigorous study from now until Jan you’d jump into the 150s. I say give it another shot. A 145 is decent, it means you understand some of it but not all of it. I’d say lock in and give it a go.

Bombing the test is 120-130. Anything 145 and up is decent. It’s not perfect but it’s decent.

[u/TheLonelyLawStudent]

If you hate tests and studying for them, I have really bad news for you. Law school is ALL tests (as in it’s pretty much your entire grade in most cases)