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Jessica's LSAT Diary: 128 to 148

Updated September 5, 2026 · Steve Schwartz

LSAT Diary, 2012

Jessica scored a 128 on her first practice LSAT and a 143 on her official December 2010 LSAT after 2 rounds of a Kaplan course with her study partner Mike. Studying alone for the February 2012 LSAT, she scored a 148, a 20-point gain over her original practice score, and applied to 7 law schools.

  • Starting score: 128
  • Official LSAT: 148 (February 2012)
  • What she used: Kaplan LSAT prep course (twice), LSAT Blog study guide for Logic Games, self-study with a study partner
  • Situation: Studied through 2 Kaplan courses with a study partner named Mike, withdrew from 2 test registrations before finally testing alone in February 2012
  • Written: 2012

In Jessica's words

Failure is not an option for me.

Jessica

I have no idea, and it doesn't matter now, what's done is done.

Jessica

You're never going to do this.

Jessica

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. Jessica's is here because it ends with a number: 128 to 148.

Underneath the score, it's about persistence through repeated withdrawals and self-doubt.

Written in 2012. 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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Jessica's diary, as written

A rough start

I began studying for the LSAT when I was completing my BA degree. I purchased LSAT study books and jumped right in to begin studying on my own. While studying I thought to myself, "this test is going to be difficult," due to the fact that this was a type of test that I had never seen before in my life. The Reading Comprehension section was the only part of the test that I was familiar with. I then started signing up for LSAT law forums within my area. I also took a practice LSAT at a local university. My score on my practice LSAT was a 128. I was devastated, but I told myself that I had to work harder.

I signed up for my first Kaplan LSAT prep course in June 2010. I was planning on taking the LSAT in October. I honestly hoped that being in a classroom setting would improve my score. While taking practice tests at Kaplan, the highest score that I received on a test was a 143, and my goal score was a 150 to 155. At the end of my first Kaplan course, I still did not feel prepared to take the October LSAT, so I withdrew my registration for the test. In October, I retook the Kaplan course.

Meeting Mike

While in my second Kaplan course, I met a guy named Mike, who was willing to be a study partner. We studied every chance we had. We were not just study partners, but a support system to one another. At this point I was thankful that I met Mike, because I believe it is important to have someone there for you who understands one hundred percent what you're experiencing throughout this process. Before Mike and I met, I felt very alone throughout this endeavor.

Throughout my second Kaplan course, I was still not reaching my goal score of 150 to 155, but I was bound and determined to take the December 2010 LSAT. Kaplan advised all of us not to study the day before the test, but Mike and I did. We went to a local library and worked through numerous LSAT questions. We completed our study session by early evening.

Two withdrawals and a lot of doubt

The morning of the December 2010 LSAT I woke up early. I was very nervous for two reasons. One reason was the LSAT, and the other was that I was graduating from college with my BA. Due to the fact that I was scheduled to attend my graduation ceremony after the test, I was dressed in business attire, makeup, and my hair was nicely done. During the test I was so nervous about getting questions wrong and if I was going to make it to the graduation on time. Thus, I was unable to provide the needed concentration during the test.

I received my score a few weeks later. Mike and I were on the phone with each other when we opened our emails from LSAC, and this made me feel strong and not alone. My score was a 143. After that point I knew I could not give up on my dream, but at the same time I felt it would never come true because of the LSAT.

In October 2011, Mike and I both signed up for the Kaplan courses again. We were both signed up for the December LSAT. This time I was not going to let anything get in the way of my dream. Throughout the course my lowest LSAT practice test score was a 139 and the highest was what I received on the initial LSAT in December 2010, a 143. Mike and I studied like we had never studied before. We studied during the week and the weekends. We ate, slept, and breathed the LSAT. Again, I still did not feel adequately prepared to take the LSAT, so again I withdrew my registration for the December 2011 LSAT.

After I withdrew my December 2011 registration, I started to hear negative feedback from certain friends and family members, such as, "you're never going to do this." Hearing these negative comments fueled a fire inside me, and I knew that I could not give up on my dream of becoming an attorney.

Taking the test on my own

Mike and I still studied and supported each other after the completion of our latter course. I decided that I was going to take the February 2012 LSAT, whether I felt ready or not. I had come to the conclusion, within myself, that you never feel 100 percent ready for something like this. Mike had decided to back out of the test once more. So, when I started studying on my own, I focused on the "argument sections" of the LSAT, because those two sections are fifty percent of the test alone. Studying for Logic Games, I used the LSAT Blog study guide. I knew going into the test I would feel adequate within these two areas; the only area I was worried about come test day was Reading Comprehension.

I registered and took the February 2012 LSAT. I made sure that taking the LSAT was the only thing on my agenda for that day, so I would not feel rushed like before. I wore comfortable clothing, woke up early, and had breakfast, and I made sure that I had adequate time to make it to the test center and study for about a half hour before the test started. After the test a lot of people asked me, "how do you think you did?" and I would reply, "I have no idea, and it doesn't matter now, what's done is done." I didn't feel there was any sense worrying about it until I got my score.

The result

When I received my score via email I was completely nervous and thought, "here it goes." I opened up the email and saw that I improved my score by five points from my last LSAT. I received a 148. Overall, I improved my score by twenty points, and I am proud of myself. I honestly thought my LSAT score was going to be worse off than my initial LSAT score.

So far I have applied to seven law schools throughout the United States, and I have never felt better. I know my journey is just beginning, and I am up for the challenge of law school. I have told many people within my life that failure is not an option for me.

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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