Annie's LSAT Diary: 142 to 160

LSAT Diary, 2013

Annie bombed her first LSAT with a 142 in 2009 and put law school on hold for a Masters degree. She came back to the test using Steve's 6-month day-by-day study schedule, scored a 160 in February 2013, and got into her first-choice law school's part-time evening program.

• Starting score: 142
• Official LSAT: 160 (February 2013)
• Outcome: acceptance to her first-choice law school's part-time evening program
• What she used: Steve's 6-month day-by-day LSAT study schedule, plus books
• Situation: self-described terrible standardized test taker, got an MA in Criminal Justice before retaking the LSAT, will attend a part-time evening law program while working during the day
• Written: 2013

In Annie's words

I am a terrible standardized test taker, nervous isn't even the word for how they make me feel.

Annie

After searching for a while, I found gold. I found the LSAT Blog!

Annie

I checked it and BAM, there it was, a 160! That's right, an acceptable score that's not terribly embarrassing!

Annie

Why this diary is here

I've been coaching the LSAT since 2005. From 2009 to 2021 I ran the LSAT Diaries on my blog: students wrote up their own prep and I published it as it came in, rough edges and all. Annie's is here because it ends with a number: 142 to 160.

Underneath the score, it's about overcoming test anxiety and finding an affordable alternative to expensive prep classes. The outcome: acceptance to her first-choice law school's part-time evening program.

Written in 2013. Any Logic Games references are from the old format; that section was removed in August 2024. Everything else still applies.

Individual results vary. Score increases depend on starting point, study time, and effort.

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Annie's diary, as written

Fearing the test

I, like many of you, have known I wanted to go to law school for a long time. The only thing standing in my way was the LSAT. I am a terrible standardized test taker, nervous isn't even the word for how they make me feel. They terrify me.

The first attempt

I originally took the LSAT in 2009 and completely bombed it, we're talking a 142 here folks. It was depressing. I decided I would get my Masters instead and began focusing on that. After completing my MA in Criminal Justice I decided to give the LSAT one more shot, but this time I would get some help. I started looking at all of the test-prep classes out there and holy cow are they expensive! I started to really rethink taking the LSAT at all. Clearly I needed guidance when it came to studying for the test, but how on Earth are you supposed to be able to afford these things? I mean I have a house, and dogs, and a car to pay for!

Finding the LSAT Blog

After searching for a while, I found gold. I found the LSAT Blog! I read all of the posts, and then I purchased the 6-month day-by-day LSAT study program, bought some of the books and started in on my studies. I tend to obsess when I am involved in anything that resembles an academic program, so this guide was exactly what I needed to keep me focused.

I realized that you have to look at the LSAT like a mosaic: the big picture is impressive, but you also have to focus on the tiles that make the picture. I followed the program faithfully, took entire Saturdays to do practice tests, focused, refocused, and then studied some more. I took particular care with the logic games. I despise math, and they just made me think of word problems without numbers. Way to scare the pants off of me! More than that, I really don't care who Sally sits next to in class, nor do I know why that is relevant to my ability to study law.

Test day and the score

In February, the test day came, and the butterflies were on a rampage in my stomach. I opened the test book and began. Once the test was over I was exhausted, but I was done. I did not want to make any guesses on how I did. I was nervous: I had my applications to my schools completed except for the score. I waited anxiously for my score to come in: I was sitting on the couch when I heard my phone tell me I had an email. I checked it and BAM, there it was, a 160! That's right, an acceptable score that's not terribly embarrassing!

Fast forward a few months and I sit here writing this diary with a letter of acceptance from my first choice school hanging on my refrigerator. I will be attending a part-time evening program, and will be working during the day. I have a long road ahead of me, but it will be well worth it in the end.

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