5 Traits of Students Who scored a 175+ on the LSAT

Throughout my years teaching the LSAT, I found that there were certain character traits that separated those who improved significantly from those who did not. Let's discuss the traits that I consistently found within students who improved rapidly or scored exceptionally well (175+) so that you can apply these principles to your LSAT prep.

1. They Were Not Overly Focused on Their Scores

While the LSAT score is the ultimate goal, successful test-takers know that obsessing over numbers can hinder progress. My students who scored exceptionally well were not stressed by fluctuations within their practice test scores. Instead, they were focused on learning from every single mistake and thoroughly reviewing them to avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future. Their score naturally improved as a result of this mindset.

People who saw less progress were constantly focused on chasing the feeling of a higher score rather than putting in the effort to learn. If their score dropped, they would immediately take another practice test or section, hoping to prevent the discouragement of thinking they could have gotten worse. But as a result, they wasted time unnecessarily testing themselves over and over rather than learning from their mistakes, making their inefficient methodolgies even more habitual.

2. They were patient

   
   

Most students who improved dramatically were very patient. Interestingly, many of these students ended up improving in a shorter time than they expected, whereas people who had set an ultimatum for themselves ended up taking longer to progress. In fact, I have had students who were planning to study for six months end up reaching their target scores in less than a month.

When people create self-imposed deadlines for themselves, they end up trying to cram. Unfortunately, this ends up doing more harm than good because you cannot force yourself to understand a concept overnight. Some concepts will take longer to learn. As a result, they end up skimming over important skills and end up placing undue stress on themselves, which inadvertently slows down progress. On the other hand, slowing down and focusing on truly understanding concepts helps the student actually improve much more quickly.

3. They were Process Oriented

My students who achieved a 175+ were never satisfied just from the fact they got a question correct. They wanted confidence, which came through understanding a replicable step-by-step process they could rely on in times of uncertainty. As a result, even if they got a question correct, they would ask about the correct way to approach the question if they were not sure about the answer they selected.

For example, rather than just asking "Why is A wrong?", they would ask questions like "What mistake did I make within the process that made me select the incorrect answer, and how can I avoid this issue next time?"

4. They Were Very Consistent

Consistency is crucial in LSAT prep. That doesn't mean you have to study like it's a full-time job, but you should try to squeeze in as much as you can. I noticed that my high-performing students always found a way to study even in situations where most others would find an excuse not to. For instance, I had a student who was taking courses, working a part-time job, and participating in college athletics. Despite his limited schedule, he managed to squeeze in at least some time to study, even if it was only 30 minutes on certain days.

5. They Were Focused on Quality, Not Quantity

Some people swear by taking a large amount of practice tests and have achieved exceptional results. However, most of my students came to me after that approach did not work for them. They were highly motivated, but this approach only left them burnt out and frustrated.

Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to achieve a high score without taking a high volume of practice tests. At the end of the day, the LSAT does not care about how many questions you completed. It only cares about how well you understand them.

I found that the students who scored a 175+ would think very deeply about a question and would not move onto the next until they mastered it. I have had a students ask me eight questions about a single question, which really showed me they were trying to understand all the nuances. They thought very critically and would even at times argue with the LSAT when reviewing questions.

For more tips on how to study for the LSAT and maximize your prep, explore our other articles or reach out to learn how personalized tutoring can make a difference in your LSAT success.

Best regards,

Keonhee Cho

Founder & Tutor, Impetus LSAT