143 to 173: Tim’s LSAT Success Story

Tim’s journey proves that massive LSAT improvement is possible with the right mindset and strategy. When he first took a diagnostic test, he scored 143—far from where he wanted to be. But through dedication, patience, and the Demon’s straightforward approach, he transformed that score into a 173 over 18 months.

For anyone struggling with LSAT prep, Tim’s story is a reminder that slow and steady wins the race.

The Early Struggles

Let’s be honest—a 143 diagnostic score isn’t competitive for top law schools. But instead of getting discouraged, Tim embraced the challenge. He believed in his ability to improve and committed to the process.

At first, he made common mistakes—prioritizing quantity over quality, rushing through questions instead of understanding them. He took practice tests too early, focused more on his score than on learning, and didn’t review his mistakes carefully.

Tim eventually realized that doing more wasn’t the answer—slowing down was.

The Shift That Changed Everything

Tim’s breakthrough came when he changed how he studied. Instead of trying to power through as many questions as possible, he focused on accuracy and understanding.

Tim’s approach:

1. Slow Down—Instead of rushing, Tim started answering just 12 questions per section. At first, his score dropped into the 150s, but this allowed him to thoroughly review every mistake deeply and truly understand each question before moving on.

2. Focus on the question in front of you – He forced himself to stick with each question until he was 100% confident in the answer. This discipline built lasting skills.

3. Treat Mistakes as Lessons – Instead of feeling frustrated, he leaned into mistakes, reviewing them until he fully grasped where he went wrong.

His new mantra? “The more I understand, the faster I get.”

Over time, his speed naturally increased—not because he rushed, but because he mastered the material by emphasizing quality instead of quantity and in-depth review.

Making LSAT Prep Enjoyable

Tim made studying more enjoyable by breaking sessions into short, focused chunks that fit his full-time job. He approached Logic Games like daily puzzles and found interest in Reading Comprehension, even with obscure topics.

He shifted his mindset from dreading LSAT prep to embracing it as a challenge—a game to be mastered.

Final Takeaways

Tim’s journey from 143 to 173 shows the power of focus, patience, and slowing down. If you’re feeling frustrated or stuck, remember that improvement is always possible. For anyone still working toward their own LSAT success, here are his biggest takeaways:

• Accuracy comes first – You don’t need to finish every question to improve. Master the question in front of you, and speed will follow.

• Be relentless in your review – Never move on from a question until you fully understand it. This is where the real progress happens.

• Make it fun – View LSAT prep as a challenge to conquer, not a chore.

And, as Tim wisely put it: “The LSAT is only as powerful as you let it be over you.”

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