Is it worth retaking the LSAT?
Trying to decide whether to sit the LSAT again before applying this cycle.
Context: below-median GPA (2.mid) from a top university, one year out of undergrad; decent work experience at a litigation firm; access category; strong refs; aiming for T50ish. Three takes so far: 159 (Oct 2024), 168 (Nov 2024), 168 (Nov 2025).
For each sitting, I would say I studied "passively" for 2-3 months without a real grasp of some question types (mostly drills and PTs squeezed around coursework, which partly affected my GPA) and could definitely have done more.
I now have quite a bit more time to study. Going into the November 2025 test I was PTing in the mid-170s, so I think there's a real score in there if I actually commit to prep instead of fitting it around everything else.
My Hesitation: I'm worried that adding a fourth take may not be the best use of this cycle versus just applying with the 168 given the time, cost, and mental stress. Realistically I could maybe reach +2/+3, and I'm unsure how much of a difference that makes given how insane applicant stats and pool size have been recently.
Curious what people think, especially anyone who's been a splitter in the access category.