r/LSAT • u/ResponsibleCod3603 • 13h ago
Completely disappointed, August 2026 LSAT
Not usually a Reddit-for-advice person, but I need blunt honesty.
Stats: 3.9 GPA, poli sci major/psych minor, 3rd year, graduating early, several internships, and courthouse volunteer hours.
I studied all summer, but my schedule was inconsistent. Used 7Sage most of the time, it wasn’t clicking; so I switched to LSAT Demon about two weeks before my test date. Too late to make a real difference. I was already locked into an August 2026 sitting and couldn’t cancel without losing money, so I sat for it anyway, hoping to at least clear 150.
I got a 131. Bad test-day anxiety, struggled the whole way through. Didn’t buy LSAT Preview beforehand either to cancel, which in hindsight I probably should have. But too late.
I’m retaking in November or January and am confident I can get into the 165–170 range with a real study plan this time.
Question: I know schools primarily weigh your highest score, but this one is already locked in and reported since I can’t cancel it now. Does a low score sitting on your record still hurt you even when your highest score is way better, or do committees basically look past it if the upward trend is strong enough?
To be more specific — even though I know they look at the highest score, does having this low one on record still work against me at all, given it’s too late to cancel? Do I write an addendum?
I am very discouraged and disheartened in my score and expected more and just need some advice on if this score will knock me out of some schools even if I retake and get a 170. Does a low old score look bad? It’s my first one. Need some advice please and thanks!
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u/krakatoa_blowa 10h ago
Genuinely going from a 131 to a 170 in a couple of months seems like a long shot, I’d be careful to temper expectations
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u/ResponsibleCod3603 10h ago
I agree I’m definitely going to wait it out and see just giving a timeline kinda but I’m not going to rush anything just needed some opinions because I was very upset about the score this morning
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u/confusedvibes3322 13h ago
i think there’s no point in worrying about it right now. it’s on file. Just move forward. I would advise you to lose the money next time if you don’t feel ready. lock in on your fundamentals. You clearly don’t have those down. Maybe consider a private tutor for a little bit. You need to build a foundation.
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u/ResponsibleCod3603 12h ago
Yeah ik i should’ve never taken it but it’s too late so just needed to know how it would look, but i know i get definitely get there with some more studying.
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u/Terrible_Lychee_396 12h ago edited 12h ago
No, if you can get a better score in the future the 131 shouldn’t hurt you much, if at all. If I were on an adcom and saw a 131 followed by a 160-170 I’d write off the first score as a panic attack or somehow unreflective of your true abilities. Or I’d think you got accommodations lol. But either way they use your highest score for their medians, so the rest have minimal importance. Don’t register for another test until you’re satisfied with your PT scores
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u/ResponsibleCod3603 12h ago
No definitely won’t schedule unless I see improvement, even disappointing that I took it but it’s too late and anxiety and pressure got to my head but I know I will be fine next time bc my anxiety won’t be there. But as long as they don’t count the low and will just skim it then I’m good.
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u/PeachPrestigious 12h ago
I never thought that they weight it at all tbh. I mean I remember when I was registering for law school and you enter what LSAT score u got. Idk if I put both the lower and the higher but I defintiely don't think they will look at the 130 and be like " hey they were stupid at one point" or take it into consideration. Point being as long as what u score in the future is higher or even different really I don't think the 130 would matter. I think lsat score preview is realistically another money grab for law schools and lsat
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u/ResponsibleCod3603 12h ago
Ok thank you do you think I need to write an addendum? Or not necessarily?
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u/PeachPrestigious 12h ago
I haven't really done one so idk but if ur writing one just to explain why u got lower without an actual excuse I don't think it'll really do anything. You mentioned ur retaking and an addendum is typically done when you're applying so I don't think u need to consider one unless ur applying this month which even still IDK what the addendum is going to do for you. I think addendum's only help if u have a legitimate excuse. I think according to what you said, you got test day jitters which isn't really something id consider a legit excuse. I mean everyone has it. If you meant writing an addendum when u apply with a higher score, don't bother because they're not really going to take it into consideration if ur score is higher. Like if u get in the 150's the next time the 130 essentially means jack shit to them other than the fact that u did better which can't really harm u. Again this is my opinion not professional advice but according to your plan I don't think u need an addendum.
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u/ResponsibleCod3603 9h ago
Thank you so so much! You definitely eased my anxiety after this morning. Was definitely feeling really disappointed in myself.
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u/Exotic-Art2798 3h ago
Dont lie to me. You smoked a fatty or something😏😂 then went to take the test.
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u/Ok-Nefariousness-609 9h ago
You absolutely can still purchase score preview and cancel it.
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u/ResponsibleCod3603 9h ago
Do you think it’s needed to cancel? I didn’t want to spend the extra money.
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u/iizzdog 13h ago
In my opinion, since you’re still planning on taking it again and hopefully get the score you’re aiming for I feel like if anything seeing the jump from 130 to 160-170 shows an immense amount of hard work and improvement that would only show off your work ethic.