Stephen

I started my LSAT journey in March 2021 by enrolling in an online LSAT course taught by a major test prep company. My diagnostic score was a 152, and I diligently worked through all the materials provided by the course while attending their weekly instructional sessions. Although the course itself was helpful in exposing me to the test, I ultimately needed something more targeted and individualized to reach my goal.

That's when I found Elemental Prep and Ellen Cassidy. Working with Ellen was a completely different experience. She identified my specific weaknesses immediately -- I wasn't truly comprehending what I was reading, I was just going through the motions. Ellen put me through an intensive Translation and CLIR regimen, building my foundational skills from the ground up. She introduced the "crime scene investigator" approach: go back to the stimulus for evidence rather than trying to force answers to work.

The process wasn't always smooth. I took my first official LSAT feeling confident, but the test shook me -- I started my last section pretty sure I'd cancel the exam and truly believed I got a 158 or 159. I was one click away from cancelling my score. Ellen convinced me not to, and I'm so grateful she did.

I got a 168. Considering the circumstances, I couldn't believe it. The biggest takeaway is trusting the process. I'm so grateful for having people who believed in me more than I believed in myself at times. The Elemental community is absolutely amazing.

Behind every LSAT score is a meaningful journey. The score is usually the least interesting thing about it -- the real value lies in the learning process and skill development that transforms how you think.

-- Stephen, 168 (enrolled at Stanford)