My Journey with 7sage From 144 to 169

grant.ashley114

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share my LSAT journey in hopes of encouraging others, especially those balancing life’s many challenges.

I took my first diagnostic in Spring 2023 and scored a 144 (Logic Games absolutely crushed me). My circumstances were unusual—I had been released from prison in 2022 after nearly a decade. While studying, I was juggling multiple jobs, full-time school, volunteer work, and rebuilding my life.

I started with books and Khan Academy before purchasing 7Sage when I could afford it. Without a clear plan, I meandered through the syllabus and struggled to balance studying with life. In June 2023, I scored a 154—lower than my practice test average.

Over the summer and into Fall 2023, I studied sporadically without structure, focusing too much on timed practice tests rather than mastering the material. In October, I scored a 158, applied to schools, and was waitlisted at two great ones. Inspired by these experiences, I decided to retake the test after graduating college in May 2024.

In July 2024, I started fresh with a more systematic approach:
- Logged 400 hours of study from July to November.
- Completed the 7Sage curriculum with detailed notes.
- Focused on understanding concepts, not just timing.
- Limited myself to one PT per week until two weeks before test day, then increased to two PTs per week. I also incorporated untimed sections for review. This was key because in my first study cycle, I exhausted most recent prep tests, forcing me to focus on older material and partial sections.
- Made flashcards to memorize question types and strategies—something I skipped during my first cycle.
- Mentally mimicked J.Y.'s testing methods and watched videos of him providing commentary while taking tests.

By the end of this cycle, I averaged 164-168 on PTs and scored a 169 on test day.

I’m in my early 30s, married, working, attending religious school, and volunteering. Reaching this score came down to discipline, completing the syllabus, and mastering strategies.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, know that improvement is possible with the right plan and mindset.

Feel free to ask any questions—I’m happy to help!