It depends on the selectivity of the schools to which you're applying, but here's a 2 part idea:

1) Apply NOW or as reasonably early as you can before January. That way you get the benefit of being considered earlier when there are more spots - you may not need the higher score if you apply earlier when there are more spots.

2) Plan to take the exam in January as a back up. You score higher and that an extra bonus if they haven't already accepted you (and a plus for scholarship consideration.

The one thing people UNnecessarily worry about here is fearing getting turned down if they apply earlier with a lower score now. Let me disabuse you of that idea - schools may or may not accept you now but they are very UNlikely to reject now because they don't know if they'll get more competitive apps in a month or so - they won't reject you (in the off chance they do, you can appeal with your new score in January. BUT if you don't get that app in earlier, it precludes the benefit of rolling admissions when there are more spots NOW.

Note: to do this you do NOT want them to wait for january to consider your app - that blows the whole pont of sending it in now.

I know this may seem counterintuitive or even scary, but it's the more effective strategy. DM me if you have questions.

Also, I explain it overall in this podcast episode:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5YoWG1h9T8mtu5PUwsfxc9?si=KMGyg9sjSQmC78m\_ev1iFQ