LSAT Diary Interview: 155 to 170 to Stanford Law

This LSAT Diary is from "Jim," who improved from 155 to 170 and got into Stanford Law after working with me and using the day-by-day study plan!

(He has a unique first name and wanted to remain anonymous.)

If you want to be in LSAT Diaries, please email me at LSATUnplugged@gmail.com. (You can be in LSAT Diaries whether you've taken the exam already or not.)

"Jim's" LSAT Diary:

Can you give everyone an introduction to who you are?

I was a science major in college before I applied to law school.  In-house attorneys at the company I was with after college encouraged me to make the transition to law.


Where were you at in the LSAT prep process when first you came across LSAT Blog?

I had not really begun LSAT prep when I first came across LSAT blog.  I had looked at and worked through a little of the PowerScore books. I was looking for a study plan or schedule I could use when I found the LSAT Blog. Steve's plans are really good and helped me achieve a high score, such that i could get into Stanford Law.  I only wish I followed Steve's study plans more literally (more on this below).


How long did you prepare for?

I had a full-time job so i prepared on and off for 11 months, rescheduling the final test twice. The economy was still recovering so i was saving money from my earnings and was in no hurry to go to law school.  I firmly advise others to do the same.


How did you make time with your other work/classes/obligations?

I studied on weekends and evenings.  My spouse was supportive because I discussed all this with her in advance.  Law school is not just another degree like an M.A.  You are entering a whole new profession with licensing requirements, ethics requirements, bar requirements, continuing study requirements, dress code requirements for as long as you practice that is all monitored by the state bars.  The investment is massive so please plan and discuss before you do this.


What did you do to prepare leading up to Test Day?

I followed Steve's plans, and did private tutoring with Steve on the phone.  I also began a light running regimen (1.5 miles twice a week) that was very helpful--this helped me get through the bar exam three years later as well.  i may be wrong but I would say following Steve's plans on the substance (i.e., the materials to be completed) but not stressing on the timing (i.e., which 1, 3, 6 month plan you do) is more important than tutoring with Steve.  You can do the 3 month plan in 6 months, i mean.


What was your starting LSAT score, your highest score, and your final score?

My starting LSAT score was 155, highest score was 177, and final score on two actual LSATs was 170.


What would you do differently if you were starting over?

Please follow Steve's study plans more literally than I did.  In particular, you must do the untimed portion of the exercises at the beginning really untimed until you get them right.  I did everything timed from the beginning so never learnt how to actually solve the problems.  i learned only how to guess intelligently, which is not as good as solving the problems.  I could have gotten a 175 if i practiced problems untimed in the beginning of my prep.

For my law school exams and bar exam 3 years later, i made sure to practice questions untimed till the end.  The speed i gained from actually learning the material in this manner helped me achieve timing automatically.  Think about if you were learning basketball.  Would you begin by playing in timed games or begin by practicing shooting hoops untimed?


What were the most valuable lessons you've learned from the LSAT prep process?

Follow Steve's study plans and practice untimed problems and even untimed full LSATs until you get close to 180. Only then do timed sets. Put off the LSAT by 3-6 months if you need to.  You will get a much higher score.  Work with Steve to learn some nifty tricks, such as there are 6 ways to order 3 things in two places that others do not teach.


What’s next for you?

I work at a big law firm in Silicon Valley with patents and hope to be here for at least 5 years.

Photo by bobaubuchon