Two Major Mistakes | Demon Daily, Ep. 1552

Main ideas / lessons

• Main mistake #1: Doing too many full timed mock tests

  • The founders argue that taking multiple full mock tests every week creates “noise” with not enough learning payoff.
  • The key issue is not merely the frequency, but that it prevents deep analysis of mistakes.
  • They emphasize that someone scoring in the 140–150 range isn’t ready to benefit from full mock-test cadence as much as higher-scoring test-takers (e.g., 170+).

• Main mistake #2: Not doing meaningful post-test/mistake analysis

  • They criticize “blind” or superficial review.
  • Each missed question is framed as a “golden opportunity” that can require substantial time (sometimes 30 minutes to an hour), including:
    • reading written explanations,
    • watching video explanations,
    • using tutoring/support tools,
    • and possibly discussing the issue.

• Using LawHub (instead of LSAT Demon) creates practical harm

  • Curtis reports repeated questions on LawHub and worries about damaging the “diagnostic” value of mock tests.
  • The founders’ deeper concern is learning quality: LawHub doesn’t support effective learning from mistakes (they describe LawHub explanations as worse/“terrible” compared to Demon).
  • They recommend preparing only in LSAT Demon rather than LawHub, even if LawHub provides access to practice tests.

Methodology / instruction steps (detailed)

A) How often to take timed mock tests (for beginners / mid scores)

• Do mock tests at most once a month, especially early in the learning process.
• They strongly suggest not doing a weekly (or multiple-times-per-week) full-mock-test schedule.

B) What to do instead of “cramming” mock tests

• Practice in Demon one question at a time without time limits (training rather than timed simulation).
• Use timed sections only in the appropriate structure:
  • 35-minute timed section
  • followed by thorough analysis of mistakes.

C) How to analyze a missed question (required depth)

For every missed question:

• Read the written explanation
• Focus on why your incorrect choice is wrong
• If needed, also:
  • read/engage with video explanations,
  • use the “Ask Button” / tutoring team resources,
  • and discuss the issue if you still don’t understand.

They emphasize an outcome-based standard:

• Don’t just think “I understand.”
• You should reach a deeper realization such as: “Oh my god, now I see”—meaning you can connect the correct reasoning to what the test text implies.

D) Avoiding question repetition / preserving diagnostic value

• Run timed tests and exercises within LSAT Demon so the system can separate tests from exercises automatically.
• Secondary tip for LawHub overlap concerns:
  • In LawHub, use Drill settings / filters / Test Settings to distinguish which items are drills vs. exercises.
  • Then move items so they don’t get counted as mocks if you’ve already practiced them (to avoid overlap).

E) Recommended tool usage

• If you’re an LSAT Demon subscriber:
  • Run timed tests, sections, and exercises in Demon
  • Enable “ugly mode” for Demon timed tests (they claim it makes tests look more like the real exam)
• Strong directive:
  • Never prepare for the LSAT on LawHub if you want the best results—prepare in LSAT Demon instead.

Key arguments / rationale

• Doing many mock tests leads to:
  • “burning” test materials,
  • wasting time without learning,
  • and skipping the critical learning loop (mistake → explanation → deep understanding).
• They claim score improvement comes more reliably from:
  • targeted training,
  • completing tasks with correct timing where appropriate,
  • and immediately analyzing mistakes thoroughly.

Speakers / sources featured

• Ben Olson (co-founder of lsatdemon.com; host/speaker)
• Nathan Fox (co-founder of lsatdemon.com; host/speaker)
• Curtis (a listener who wrote in; the letter is read and discussed)
• LSAT Demon (product/tools discussed: training mode, timed sections, exercises, written/video explanations, “Ask Button,” “ugly mode”)
• LawHub / LawHub Advantage (platform discussed; used in Curtis’s workflow)
• LSAC (mentioned indirectly via license/account requirement for LawHub content)