How I Scored A Perfect 180 On The LSAT

... and why you shouldn’t study how I did.

I was on my way to a science degree. I had all-nighters studying organic chemistry under my belt. I had completed hours and hours of lab work.

That last part was what changed my mind.

My career plan had been to become a researcher at a pharmaceutical company, but I just didn’t enjoy spending hot days in a glove box measuring out micrograms of catalysts for reactions that almost certainly wouldn’t work. Yes, I’m impatient.

So, what was I to do? Law school, of course! It was a respectable profession that would allow me to deal with the cool part of science — when something’s been created and it’s time to get a patent. The rationale was half-baked at best.

That decision, and the LSAT it necessitated, changed my life.

My LSAT prep process was an absolute mess.

I registered at the last minute (end of August for the October exam), which meant I needed to travel from Boston to the suburbs of Philly to take the test. Rather than use prep books to learn test strategy and structure, I focused solely on taking PrepTests to figure it all out from scratch; rather than hire a car, I had decided to reinvent the wheel.

And take PrepTests I did — every day.

That’s right. I’d wake up, hit the gym, take a test, and review it. Eat, go back to the gym, take another test, and review that one. Then, I’d watch an episode of King of the Hill, go to bed, and do it all over again the next day.

Why was I doing daily double sessions at the gym, you ask? Two reasons: 1. My friends and I were really into the “300” workout at the time; 2. Science tells us that exercise improves learning.

Why King of the Hill? You sure ask a lot of questions, huh? It’s just a good show and was a useful way to wind down at the end of the day.

I nearly lost my mind. My neck hurt so badly from leaning over books that my girlfriend was convinced I had meningitis. I spent at least three times as many hours as I should have spent studying since I was brute forcing my way to understanding instead of using materials to learn from someone else.

I did see results (my PrepTest score went up about 20 points in that month), but my study plan was massively inefficient. I spent way more time and energy than was necessary in my preparation and quite possibly shaved years off of my life in the process.

I didn’t believe my score at first; I thought it was a typo. But I looked at the test, checking my answer sheet against the credited responses, and the score was right. I had received a perfect 180.

I had been on the fence for law school, but my score opened doors that clinched my decision. I ended up enrolling at Harvard Law School and received my J.D. in 2009.

After law school, I chose not to practice law (firm life just wasn’t for me), but I’m glad I went. I learned a lot during my time there. I met many people who challenged me to consider new viewpoints, and I feel I grew a lot as a person. It definitely helped me frame my own beliefs and arguments better. I also met my wife there, so, of course, no regrets.

In lieu of practicing law, I started teaching the LSAT, and I found using my knowledge to help others to be profoundly rewarding. Today, I’ve built the LSAT program for an education company I believe in.

My month in LSAT prep hell was completely avoidable, and my career since has been devoted to finding the most efficient, effective way to prep for the test. At Manhattan Prep, we’ve developed an LSAT curriculum and course structure based on the latest research in learning science, and we’re continuing to work everyday toward perfecting that formula.

The LSAT paved the way to my law school experience and a career I love. I just wish I knew then what I know now about the most painless way to prep for the test.

Want to learn from Matt about how to tackle the LSAT efficiently, for free? Sign up for THE BRIEF, Manhattan Prep’s free LSAT Prep email series. THE BRIEF is a complete LSAT prep experience, with 60+ emails guiding you through key LSAT concepts with in-depth breakdowns and a study schedule that’s easy to follow. It’s a comprehensive, clear, and digestible way to prep for the LSAT on your own.


Matt Shinners is an LSAT Instructor and Head of LSAT Academics for Manhattan Prep. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Matt owns a perfect 180 LSAT score and has made a career combining his passion for teaching with knowledge of the test to help students achieve their goals. Manhattan Prep is a leader in LSAT prep, with courses engineered using the latest techniques in learning science to optimize high-level learning. Sound interesting? You can try the class for free.