154 to 174: Jimmy’s LSAT Success Story

Jimmy, a dedicated LSAT Demon student, recently shared his journey from a 154 diagnostic score to an official 174. His story demonstrates how persistence, smart preparation, and a willingness to learn from mistakes can lead to remarkable improvement.

The Beginning: Taking the Leap    

Jimmy’s LSAT journey started with an ambitious but somewhat unstructured approach. Encouraged by a conversation with his wife, he decided to pursue law school—a long-held aspiration—and registered for the June LSAT in November 2023. However, he admits he had little understanding of the preparation process.    

In January, prompted by a gifted LSAT prep book from his father, Jimmy finally began studying. His first diagnostic test yielded a 154, which left him feeling uncertain about the possibility of significant improvement. However, listening to LSAT Demon Daily changed his perspective. Hearing advice about the potential for growth beyond initial scores inspired Jimmy to believe he could achieve much more.    

The Misstep: Testing Too Soon    

Jimmy’s early attempts reflect a common mistake: testing before readiness. With the looming changes to the logic games section, he rushed to take the LSAT in April and June, earning scores of 164 and 165, respectively. While these represented progress, they fell short of his goal of reaching the 170s.    

Reflecting on this period, Jimmy realized the unnecessary pressure caused by following a rigid timeline. He recognized the importance of waiting until his practice test scores consistently aligned with his target score. His experience demonstrates the value of patience in LSAT preparation.    

Overcoming Challenges: Turning Weaknesses into Strengths    

Jimmy’s journey to a 174 wasn’t linear. Each section of the LSAT presented unique challenges that required deliberate effort and adjustment.  

Logic Games: Initially, logic games were Jimmy’s strongest section, but maintaining focus under pressure during the April and June tests caused him to underperform. Through consistent practice, he sharpened his skills and regained confidence.  

Reading Comprehension: Reading comprehension was Jimmy’s most challenging section. He didn’t consider himself a natural reader, so he adjusted his approach by slowing down and taking the time to understand each passage upfront. This helped him retain more information, avoid rereading, and answer questions more accurately.   

Jimmy’s progress demonstrates the power of focused, intentional practice. By addressing his weaknesses directly, he achieved a more balanced performance across all sections.    

The Breakthrough: Scoring 174    

By September, Jimmy’s preparation had paid off. He entered the test with consistent practice scores in the low 170s and a solid understanding of the test's structure. On test day, his hard work culminated in a 174—a testament to the effectiveness of deliberate practice and mental readiness.    

Jimmy credited his success to embracing variance. Understanding that test-day performance might fluctuate helped him stay calm and focused. He approached the test as just another practice session, which reduced his anxiety and boosted his performance.   

Lessons Learned: Advice for Future Test-Takers    

Jimmy’s experience provides valuable lessons for anyone preparing for the LSAT:    

1. Test Only When Ready: Don’t rush to take the LSAT before you’re consistently hitting your target score in practice. Waiting until you’re truly ready increases the likelihood of performing at your best on test day.

2. Focus on Weaknesses: Identify and address weak areas directly. For Jimmy, slowing down and engaging more deeply with passages helped transform his reading comprehension performance.

3. Trust the Test: The LSAT is a perfectly designed test with only one correct answer for each question. Recognizing that mistakes come from misunderstanding—not test flaws—makes review more productive.   

Beyond the LSAT: Navigating the Waiting Game    

With the LSAT behind him, Jimmy is now focused on the law school application process. While waiting for admissions decisions can be nerve-wracking, he approaches it with the same patience and discipline that defined his test preparation.    

Jimmy’s journey reminds us that significant score improvements are possible. His transformation from a 154 diagnostic to a 174 official score highlights the impact of smart, consistent preparation and a positive mindset.    

For anyone working toward their LSAT goals, Jimmy’s experience proves that success is achievable with the right approach. Stay patient, practice consistently, and trust the process. Success is within reach.

If you want to see how LSAT Demon can help you get your best score, email us at daily@lsatdemon.com.