Michelle, aiming for 172: a live LSAT coaching session
This is what LSAT Unplugged coaching looks like. Michelle came in with no score yet, aiming for 172 on the next June LSAT. Steve Schwartz coached her live for about 10 minutes on review process (a pre-study planning session, before hitting specific question types), and the whole session and transcript are below.
The numbers here are where Michelle started and the goal we set together in this session. Individual results vary.
- Student: Michelle
- Score when recorded: No official score yet
- Goal: 172
- Target test: next June
- Situation: Starting from scratch, has not taken any practice test yet, roughly 8 and a half to 9 months until test day, can dedicate about 5 to 6 hours a week
- Focus: review process (a pre-study planning session, before hitting specific question types)
- Worked on: must be true, strengthen, weaken, flaw
What we fixed in this session
We take the test just to get the lay of the land, see where you stand. But that's okay, you haven't done the work yet, but you can, and you've got time.
Steve Schwartz
This is one session, in the middle of the work. I've been coaching the LSAT since 2005, and every session runs the same way: find the real problem, fix the process, reset the plan.
I reframed her anxiety about the unknown as something a single cold diagnostic can address, rather than something to avoid.
Warned her not to overindex on a first diagnostic score, since it only reflects that she has not yet learned the language of the LSAT.
Sequenced her prep: question type drilling first, then individual timed sections for pacing, then full length timed exams for endurance, all inside Law Hub since it replicates the real test-day interface.
Where the session landed: Michelle agrees to take one baseline practice test in Law Hub (not the newest exam) and then follow her personalized study plan through question type drilling before timed sections and full exams.
If your prep looks like Michelle's did, that's fixable in one session.
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In Michelle's words
I think I'm just trying to get over the hurdle of like anxiety of like what to expect.
Michelle
That's definitely something I plan on doing, just to see where I'm at too.
Michelle
Okay, perfect, thank you, you answered all my questions.
Michelle
Questions people ask about LSAT Unplugged coaching
What happens in an LSAT Unplugged coaching session?
The coach finds the specific habit that's costing points, fixes the process, and sets the plan for the weeks ahead. In Michelle's case: her anxiety about the unknown as something a single cold diagnostic can address.
Who runs the sessions?
Steve Schwartz recorded this one. Every LSAT Unplugged coach scored 170 or higher on an official LSAT, and students are matched to a coach on learning style and weak areas.
Where can I see finished results?
On the student reviews page at unpluggedprep.com/reviews, with video interviews and official scores.
Learn the fixes yourself: flaw questions, weaken and strengthen questions, must be true questions.
Student reviews and finished results.
Full session transcript
Recorded December 2025.
Michelle: My goal score is a 172, and I plan on taking it next June.
Steve: Fantastic, so we've got about 8 and a half, 9 months. Goal is 172. Have you taken any practice tests yet?
Michelle: I haven't.
Steve: Okay, cool, so we're starting pretty early in the process. Any particular challenges or struggles you're facing right now as you embark on your LSAT journey?
Michelle: Not at this time, I think I'm just trying to get over the hurdle of anxiety, of what to expect.
Steve: My biggest thought to get over that anxiety is to expose yourself to what the LSAT actually is: a cold diagnostic to see where you stand and get the lay of the land on the sections and question types. Logical reasoning alone is a grab bag, 15 or so types, strengthen, weaken, flaw, necessary assumption, sufficient assumption, and so on, then reading comprehension. From there we move to pacing with individual sections, then pull it together with full length timed practice tests. A lot of anxiety is just fear of the unknown. Could you consider taking a practice test so you know what you're dealing with?
Michelle: Yeah, that's definitely something I plan on doing, just to see where I'm at too.
Steve: I wouldn't want you to overindex on that practice test result though, it'll just tell you what you already know, that you haven't yet learned the language of the LSAT, so the diagnostic probably won't be close to your goal. That's okay, like taking a diagnostic in a language you don't speak, it wouldn't go well because it's unfamiliar. If it's a 130, there's a lot of work to do, if it's a 160, not nearly as much, either way it just tells you the work isn't done yet, but you've got time. I wish more folks planned ahead like you, eight and a half, nine months, anything's possible. How many hours a week could you devote to this?
Michelle: I would say I could dedicate around 5 to 6 hours realistically a week, but more if I can fit it in.
Steve: Good, since your timeline's longer than average, 5 to 6 hours a week is fine for now, maybe ramp up later, but light is fine now. It's a marathon, not a sprint, we don't want you to burn out, 20 hours a week over 9 months is more than you need. If you want that practice test, good move, just don't overindex on it. Then start joining the live small group sessions we offer in the evenings, watch the course lesson videos. We built a study plan for you, follow it, go through each section and question type, build the foundation from the ground up, step by step, so you're not overwhelmed all at once.
The plan will have you look at lessons on must be true questions, then drill them, then move to strengthen or weaken, and so on. Once you've covered all the question types in logical reasoning, you'll do individual timed sections for pacing, then as the test gets closer, full length timed practice tests, at least 10, maybe 15, in your case maybe more since you have a higher goal and more time, even 20 if you want. Starting early is the best move you can make, and you're asking the right questions.
Michelle: Okay, that sounds good. Quick question: you mentioned I should try taking a practice test. Do you want me to take the one closest to the real thing, timed and everything?
Steve: For an accurate read, do it timed. But don't be discouraged by the result, even someone who's built a foundation usually isn't close to their goal on the first test, because endurance is real: four sections, 35 minutes each, only a 10 minute break in the middle, is a tall order. That's why people struggle with the LSAT, aside from content, it's also time management and endurance. Do one practice test, but not 158, the newest numbered exam, save that for later. Do one in the 140s instead, doesn't matter which. You get four exams free on Law Hub, more with Law Hub Advantage, which I recommend. It'll expose you to the timing, pacing, endurance, and content, so you don't fear the unknown. Then you can say, I know what it is, let me build the path to get there. That's what your study plan does, foundation first, then timing work, then endurance work with full exams later.
Michelle: Okay, sounds good. Sorry, a couple follow-up questions.
Steve: Yeah, shoot, please.
Michelle: Thank you. For the practice test, on our LSAT Unplugged portal, do we have practice tests available to see where we are? And to clarify, you recommend taking one before even learning the foundation or fundamentals of what's on the LSAT?
Steve: Great question. We build practice tests into your study plan, allocated between now and test day, but not from the very beginning. We start with questions by type, drilling, so you understand the proper perspective on each section and question type, then move to individual sections for pacing, and finally full exams for endurance. Law Hub is the only platform that replicates test day exactly, so we have you do practice tests there. Students typically drop five to eight points from practice to the actual test, partly from not simulating conditions properly, partly because the interface differs on third party platforms. We keep you in Law Hub so you're acclimated to the format and tools. Was there another question?
Michelle: No, that was pretty much it. I think you kind of answered it. Just to make sure I've got it right, practice tests will be integrated within the course itself. But if I wanted to take one right now, would you recommend doing that today, before I start the actual courses?
Steve: That brings me back to the question I was going to address. I don't normally recommend practice tests before studying, it burns through material, but a single one to establish a baseline and mitigate some anxiety around this mysterious black box, sure, do one. If that feels like too much, even just a single logical reasoning section gives you exposure, roughly 25 arguments in logical reasoning, four passages in reading comp, a sense of the language and your ability to navigate it. Just one, or a couple sections, then dive into the course material, follow the study plan, and you'll naturally hit practice questions along the way.
Michelle: Okay, and for this first one if I wanted to take it, do you have something available for that before doing it within the courses, or do we have to go to Law Hub to use one of those?
Steve: Just go into Law Hub. Law Hub has 58 numbered exams in there, you get four for free, then the rest with a Law Hub Advantage subscription, well worth it. Pick one in the 130s or 140s, say prep test 140 for simplicity. Do it timed if you want a real accurate baseline, or do a random section if you just want to see what it's like for exposure. That's really it.
Michelle: Okay, perfect, thank you, you answered all my questions.
Steve: Awesome, Michelle. Anything else comes up, just reach out, let me know. Thank you.
More coaching sessions: Zabdi, 141 to 155, Abigail, 147 to 160, Leah, 153 to 170, Dominic, Alina, 157 to 170. Student results and reviews.
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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