150 to 174: Bianca’s LSAT Success Story

After a year of challenges, including recovering from an injury, Bianca achieved an impressive 174 on the LSAT. In an October 2024 episode of LSAT Demon Daily, she shared her journey and the valuable lessons she learned along the way.

Starting with Limited Knowledge

Bianca began her LSAT prep in the summer of 2023, a year before her successful August test. Starting with an untimed diagnostic score of 150, she quickly realized how much work lay ahead. Initially, Bianca used the free version of LSAT Demon to explore tools like the score converter and scholarship estimator.

However, it wasn’t until January 2024 that she fully committed to her studies in preparation for the April test. But when April arrived, Bianca felt unprepared and decided at the last minute to cancel her registration. She set her sights on the June test, determined to keep improving.

Overcoming Familial Pressures

Bianca scored a 163 on the June LSAT. While disappointed, she used this experience as a turning point. Feeling pressure to move the process along, Bianca had a frank conversation with her mother and explained how pushing out the test to study more and improve her score would be beneficial. Letting go of the immediate pressure to apply to law school allowed Bianca to reset her priorities.

This shift in mindset proved invaluable. By August, Bianca felt ready to retake the test, knowing she could continue improving if necessary. With this fresh perspective, she earned her highest score yet: 174.

Overcoming Difficult Circumstances

Just before the August test, Bianca injured her back. While painful, the injury surprisingly helped her stay focused by acting as a mental distraction. On test day, she wore a back brace and channeled her energy into blocking out the discomfort and concentrating fully on the test. Bianca credits this experience with teaching her the importance of mental resilience. Her ability to stay composed and focus on the task at hand played a crucial role in her success.

Quality Over Quantity

Early in her LSAT prep, Bianca spent hours doing practice questions without thoroughly reviewing her mistakes. Over time, she realized that fewer, higher-quality practice sessions were far more effective. By deeply analyzing her errors and understanding the reasoning behind correct and incorrect answers, she significantly improved her skills.

Bianca also learned to prioritize accuracy over speed. Initially, she rushed to finish sections, which often led to mistakes. By August, she had shifted her focus to answering questions accurately, ignoring the clock, and trusting her process.

Balancing Prep with Life

During the summer of 2024, Bianca juggled LSAT prep with a demanding internship at a law firm. To maintain balance, she limited herself to one productive hour of LSAT study per day. This efficient approach, combined with healthy habits like getting enough sleep and staying active, helped her stay sharp and avoid burnout.

Key Takeaways for LSAT Success

Bianca’s journey to a 174 was about more than mastering LSAT content. Her story highlights several critical lessons:

• Focus on quality, not quantity. A few high-quality practice sessions are more effective than endless hours of ineffective study.

• Prioritize accuracy over speed. It’s better to answer fewer questions correctly than to rush and make avoidable mistakes.

• Be flexible and patient. Taking extra time to prepare can yield better results and reduce stress.

• Take care of yourself. Balancing LSAT prep with sleep, exercise, and nutrition keeps your mind and body sharp.

For anyone facing LSAT challenges, Bianca’s story demonstrates that persistence, strategic preparation, and a positive mindset can lead to remarkable success.