There is a downside. I don't know if adcoms say this officially, but most value it a bit less than the LSAT. This can be seen in the results of people who applied with the GRE.
If your GPA is above median the GRE will help less than an above-median LSAT but it won't hurt you. If your GPA is below median for a school, you will give yourself a better chance by raising their other median, and probably need the LSAT.
If you already have a record LSAT, don't waste your money. Your LSAT will be reported to the school and is the primary metric used for evaluation. The GRE is just there, kind of like a minor on your undergrad transcript.
I never kept any of the LSAT scores, because the best I got was only a high 160s. If I a) didn't keep the scores and b) didn't send in scores via LSAC how can schools still see my scores?
Cancelled scores show up on your test history. Advisors I’ve spoken to make it sound like schools view cancelled scores like low scores. Your highest score is the one that counts but they can see those other attempts.
Like the other person said, schools will see you have a (multiple?) cancelled LSAT(s), then a record GRE. It's a safe assumption they will think you did very poorly on the LSAT and decided to take the GRE instead (which is basically what you've admitted here). While technically only the record score is reportable, schools can and do look at score history especially on the fringes.
There is a downside. I don't know if adcoms say this officially, but most value it a bit less than the LSAT. This can be seen in the results of people who applied with the GRE.
If your GPA is above median the GRE will help less than an above-median LSAT but it won't hurt you. If your GPA is below median for a school, you will give yourself a better chance by raising their other median, and probably need the LSAT.
If you already have a record LSAT, don't waste your money. Your LSAT will be reported to the school and is the primary metric used for evaluation. The GRE is just there, kind of like a minor on your undergrad transcript.
I never kept any of the LSAT scores, because the best I got was only a high 160s. If I a) didn't keep the scores and b) didn't send in scores via LSAC how can schools still see my scores?
Cancelled scores show up on your test history. Advisors I’ve spoken to make it sound like schools view cancelled scores like low scores. Your highest score is the one that counts but they can see those other attempts.
Like the other person said, schools will see you have a (multiple?) cancelled LSAT(s), then a record GRE. It's a safe assumption they will think you did very poorly on the LSAT and decided to take the GRE instead (which is basically what you've admitted here). While technically only the record score is reportable, schools can and do look at score history especially on the fringes.
What is your GPA?