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Jamie's LSAT Diary: 155 to 165

Updated September 7, 2026 · Steve Schwartz

LSAT Diary, 2014

Jamie, a non-native English speaker taking her first standardized test, prepped for 2 and a half months using Steve's 3-month study plan condensed to fit her timeline. She averaged 160 on practice tests and scored a 165 on the official December 2013 LSAT.

  • Starting score: 155
  • Official LSAT: 165 (December 2013)
  • What she used: Steve's 3-month day-by-day LSAT study plan, condensed into 2 and a half months
  • Situation: English is her second language, and the LSAT was the first standardized test she'd ever taken, self-studying without knowing anyone else preparing for the exam
  • Written: 2014

In Jamie's words

English is my second language, so I had the feeling that I have a disadvantage from the very beginning.

Jamie

My favorite part was LG, I had a lot of fun studying the strategies and cracking the games.

Jamie

I ended up getting 165 and I am very proud.

Jamie

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. Jamie's is here because it ends with a number: 155 to 165.

Underneath the score, it's about self-studying as a non-native English speaker, with reading comprehension as her weak point and logic games as her strongest section.

Written in 2014. Logic Games comes up a lot; that section was removed from the LSAT in August 2024, so treat those parts as history. Everything else still applies.

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

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Jamie's diary, as written

Studying for the LSAT is not easy, but it is very rewarding. I realized this in the two and a half months I spent preparing for the December 2013 test.

Finding a plan I could afford

At first I felt very overwhelmed and didn't know where to start. I kept reading about prep courses and I felt tempted to enroll in one. But they seemed too expensive, so I decided to try to find other ways to study. Fortunately, I came across Steve's blog and read everything on it. After that I felt like I could really do it on my own. I bought the 3-month study plan, although I had only two and a half months until test day. English is my second language, so I had the feeling that I have a disadvantage from the very beginning. On top of that, the LSAT was the first standardized test I ever had to take. So it was definitely a challenge.

The second day after I bought the study plan I put everything else in my life on hold. I was determined to give it my best shot, especially because retaking it was not an option. I followed the plan almost religiously, I bought everything that Steve recommended and did all of the optional tasks. I enjoy self-study, but in the past I always knew someone else who was studying for the same thing and I could turn to them for advice. This time I did not know anyone who was taking or had taken the LSAT. Steve's blog came again to the rescue. I discovered the LSAT Diaries and I felt part of a strong community.

Averaging in the 150s, then breaking through

While I was prepping, I was very eager to start taking the full tests. The sections felt somewhat easy, but I knew the real thing would be far more difficult. After taking several full tests, I was a little disappointed because I averaged in the high 150s. I had a pretty hard time on RC. I knew it was because I'm not a native English speaker, but I was determined to overcome this handicap. I started taking the tests in the morning, then I would take a break for 3 or 4 hours and then review. I studied every wrong question and tried to fully understand why I made a mistake. My favorite part was LG, I had a lot of fun studying the strategies and cracking the games. I think it's easy to enjoy them and improve your performance.

By the time December came, my average test score was 160. I went to the test center feeling a lot of pressure but at the same time I was satisfied with my efforts. When the test was over, I sincerely could not evaluate myself. I spent one month waiting for the results and not knowing what to expect. I ended up getting 165 and I am very proud. I got just one question wrong on LG, but RC was a different story. I think this happened especially because I was excited when I was working on the LG section, but on the RC I was very nervous. My advice to future test takers would be to try to make every section enjoyable, because your mindset plays a huge part on test day.

More student stories: LSAT Unplugged reviews and finished results, all success stories.

I've written free explanations for every question in LSAT PrepTest 159, 158, 157, 156, 155 and 154, with the right answer and why each wrong answer fails. All LSAT explanations are here.

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