Pat

Introduction

My name is Pat. Intelligence is... probably not my strong suit. I graduated from a non-prelaw major with a low GPA 10 years before my LSAT journey. I started studying for the LSAT in April 2024 with a goal score of 170.

I unquestioningly did exactly what Ellen told me to do and got a 177. Here's a general idea of my timeline:

April - July 2024 -- Read The Loophole

I memorized the entire book. Made notecards for every rule, concept, and definition Ellen mentions. Started Daily Virtual Tutoring in July.

July - August 2024 -- RTQ Drills

I reached the 20-minute mark in 109 drills -- over double the amount of Ellen's average student. Although I did over double the RTQ drills of the average student, it took me only 6 weeks to hit the 20 minute mark where it took most people 8.

August - November 2024 -- Whatever Ellen told me

Spent this time solidifying Ellen's Acronym process. Took the November LSAT but didn't complete it.

November 2024 - January 2025 -- 1 LR and 1 RC a day

Score: 177. Reviewed using Camo.

The Elemental Prep Experience (before tutoring with Ellen)

Ellen's approach centers around what she calls the Acronym Process:

Read -> Translate -> Quip -> CLIR -> Q-Type -> Powerful/Provable -> Mission -> Answer Choice -> Back-up Plan

This is how you will approach every LSAT question. Your score depends on how well you execute this process. And how well you execute it depends on how well you listen to Ellen.

I'm going to talk about the last 5 steps first, because this information is memorizable. Ellen did not hold any secrets; it is all in the book. When I began working with Ellen, I had already memorized The Loophole, which took me approximately four months to read, understand, and memorize. I did every exercise. I made notecards for each concept. I drilled those cards until I knew them cold.

The first four steps are taught in The Loophole but not drilled. One of the most common problems Ellen deals with is that people think they can't hit the 20-minute time goal, but I'm here to give you all a reality check: you are not special. No one has been unable to hit that goal yet with sufficient drills up to this point. The chances that you are the first one is extremely slim. Coming from an education background that did not include a lot of reading, I did 109 RTQ + CLIR drills, over double of what it takes the average student. But at the end of six weeks, I hit the goal.

Tutoring with Ellen

I like to think of the Acronym process like an engine and Ellen as a mechanic. For four months, Ellen tinkered with my Acronym process until it ran smoothly. I could go into every drill that I did with Ellen, but you will have different strengths and weaknesses in your process than me. Ellen will analyze how you conduct the Acronym process in your tutoring sessions and your homework. Then, she will diagnose issues with your process as a mechanic would an engine. Ellen has faced every conceivable issue with the process and has a drill for every single issue. Some drills, in my opinion, could be classified as cruel and unusual punishment (if you hear the words MemAC, I weep for you). But if you work through it, you will have a smooth process.

Your improvement will not be linear. First of all, if you haven't taken a diagnostic test yet, don't. Ellen does not require it. I did not take a full LSAT until my first LSAT which I didn't even complete. You also need to ignore most of the feelings associated with the number of questions you get wrong in a section. Because Ellen's methods are process-based, removing a defect in your Acronym process will naturally remove multiple errors at once. She will continue working with you to remove those errors until one day, when she tells you that you're ready to take the LSAT.

Ellen is going to give you the tools you need to succeed, not necessarily the tools you want. She will ask you to implicitly trust her process even if it doesn't feel like the right thing to do. A lot of people can't, and I understand. Trust is hard. However, I blindly did everything she asked of me, and I scored beyond my initial goal. In my opinion, this experience is replicable to pretty much anyone else.

Concluding Thoughts

I have never witnessed anyone put as much dedication into her craft as Ellen does (although Lebron James is a close second).

If you have any questions, go sign up to interview with Ellen. Please feel free to ask her for my contact information if you have further questions beyond this student story. And if you're having trouble with the LSAT, here is what I can do for you: I will ask you what Ellen told you to do and tell you to go do that. If you're just feeling down from the pressure of the LSAT, maybe I can sing you a song or something, I don't know.