LSAT Diary: 20-Point Score Improvement

This LSAT Diary is from Jessica, who improved her original LSAT score by 20 points on the February 2012 LSAT.

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Thanks to Jessica for sharing her experience and advice, and please leave your questions for her below in the comments!

Jessica's LSAT Diary:


I began studying for the LSAT when I was completing my BA Degree. I purchased LSAT study books and jumped right in to begin studying on my own. While studying I thought to myself “this test is going to be difficult” due to the fact that this was a type of test that I had never seen before in my life. The Reading Comprehension section was the only part of the test that I was familiar with. I then started signing up for LSAT Law Forums within my area. I also took a practice LSAT at a local university. My score on my practice LSAT was a 128. I was devastated, but I told myself that “I had to work harder.”

I signed up for my first Kaplan LSAT prep course in June 2010; I was planning on taking the LSAT in October. I honestly hoped that being in a classroom setting would improve my score. While taking practice tests at Kaplan the highest score that I received on a test was a 143, and my goal score was a 150-155. At the end of my first Kaplan course, I still did not feel prepared to take the October LSAT, so I withdrew my registration for the test. In October I retook the Kaplan course.

While in my second Kaplan course I met a guy named Mike, who was willing to be a study partner. We studied every chance we had. We were not just study partners, but a support system to one another. At this point I was thankful that I met Mike because I believe it is important to have someone there for you who understands one-hundred percent what you’re experiencing throughout this process. Before Mike and I met I felt very alone throughout this endeavor.

Throughout my second Kaplan course, I was still not reaching my goal score of 150-155, but I was bound and determined to take the December 2010 LSAT. Kaplan advised all of us to not study the day before the test, but Mike and I did. We went to a local library and worked through numerous LSAT questions. We completed our study session by early evening.

The morning of the December 2010 LSAT I woke up early. I was very nervous for two reasons. One reason was the LSAT and the other was that I was graduating from college with my BA. Due to the fact that I was scheduled to attend my graduation ceremony after the test I was dressed in business attire, make-up and my hair was nicely done. During the test I was so nervous about getting questions wrong and if I was going to make it to the graduation on time. Thus, I was unable to provide the needed concentration during the test.

I received my score a few weeks later. Mike and I were on the phone with each other when we opened our emails from LSAC, this made me feel strong and not alone. My score was a 143. After that point I knew I could not give up on my dream, but at the same I felt it would never come true due to the LSAT.

In October 2011 Mike and I both signed up for the Kaplan courses again. We were both signed up for the December LSAT. This time I was not going to let anything get in the way of my dream. Throughout the course my lowest LSAT practice test score was a 139 and the highest was what I received on the initial LSAT in December 2010, 143. Mike and I studied like we had never studied before. We studied during the week and the weekends. We ate, slept and breathed the LSAT. Again, I still did not feel adequately prepared to take the LSAT, so again I withdrew my registration for the December 2011 LSAT.

After I withdrew my December 2011 registration I started to hear negative feedback from certain friends and family members, such as, “your never going to do this (take the LSAT).” Hearing these negative comments, they fueled a fire inside me and knew that I could not give up on my dream of becoming an attorney.

Mike and I still studied and supported each other after the completion of our latter course. I decided that I was going to take the February 2012 LSAT, whether I felt ready or not. I had come to the conclusion, within myself, that you never feel 100% percent ready for something like this. Mike had decided to back out of the test once more. So, when I started studying on my own, I focused on the “argument sections” of the LSAT because those two sections are fifty percent of the test alone. Studying for Logic Games, I used the LSAT Blog study guide. I knew going into the test I would feel adequate within these two areas, the only area I was worried about come test day was Reading Comprehension.

I registered and took the February 2012 LSAT. I made sure that taking the LSAT was the only thing on my agenda for that day, so I would not feel rushed like before. I wore comfortable clothing, woke up early and had breakfast, and I made sure that I had adequate time to make it to the test center and study for about a half-an-hour before the test started. After the test a lot of people asked me “how do you think you did?” and I would reply “I have no idea, and it doesn’t matter now, what’s done is done.” I didn’t feel there was any sense worrying about it until I got my score.

When I received my score via email I was completely nervous and thought “here it goes.” I opened up the email and saw that I improved my score (from my LSAT) by five points. I received a 148. Overall, I improved my score by twenty points, and I am proud of myself. I honestly thought my LSAT score was going to be worse off then my initial LSAT score.

So far I have applied to seven law schools throughout the United States and I have never felt better. I know my journey is just beginning and I am up for the challenge of law school. I have told many people within my life that failure is not an option for me!

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