[TL;DR Doug is an incredible tutor. He is engaged, knows the LSAT inside and out, helped me bring my score above 175, and is 100% worth the price.] I struggle with making decisions very badly, especially when they feel like particularly important decisions. I place importance upon two axes: how much the choice will cost me and how long the choice at hand may last into the future. For example, an inexpensive wine at Trader Joe's is nowhere near as difficult a choice as a $500-$1,000 mattress I will sleep on every night for the next 5-7 years. Naturally, based on these two criteria, picking an LSAT study strategy felt extremely important; not only was the price tag fairly high, but this choice could shape my career trajectory for the rest of my life. I considered a handful of different tutoring options...courses by popular providers like Blueprint, 7Sage, and Kaplan as well as tutoring by some smaller services. In these considerations, I also consulted a lot of different forums; reddit, yelp, and some independent tutor rating services. Ultimately, Doug seemed more qualified than the other sources I had consulted. I worked with Doug from early September up to a November LSAT administration, he was consistent, on time, engaged, communicative, and knew the LSAT questions inside and out. We were able to talk not only about what the right answer was, but also why other answer choices were wrong. He provided strategies and approaches for the exam, and correct approaches of mine that were not serving me. November was the first time I ever sat for the LSAT, and I ended with a score I was thrilled with. I know LSAT tutors can be expensive and this price tag can be intimidating, but I seriously cannot recommend the extra money enough--if you can afford it, which I recognize is a privilege. If starting off with individual sessions seems too expensive, I would also recommend trying a hybrid strategy by first exhausting free resources (shoutout to khan academy, which I used for ~6-8 months before working with Doug) and then working with a private tutor--Doug--who will actually help you achieve what you want through targeted, one-on-one help once your practice score plateaus and/or once your test date approaches. And remember, the law school you go to can/will have an impact on your career outcomes, and the money you spend on the LSAT could pay itself back within your first few months--or even weeks--of your career. Good luck out there to all of you LSAT prepping law school hopefuls reading this, and again, I cannot recommend Doug enough for those of you who really want to see the best results possible on your LSAT. Bonus: All of our tutoring sessions were completely virtual, which is great not only for the pandemic, but also for those who are located outside of Doug's Bay Area/Arizona locales but still looking for a highly-qualified tutor. Tutoring/learning over Zoom can be less than ideal for some, but Doug has enough virtual capabilities configured that learning over Zoom was no problem. He was able to share a virtual "paper" and draw out solutions and other visualizations that may be necessary to the learning process. The virtual aspect is all pro, no con. read more

Responded quickly and politely. Ended up using a family friend but we'll keep him in mind for SATs.

Doug helped me improve my LSAT score significantly in just a month. I told him I was set on taking the LSAT just a month after we started tutoring because I did not want to take it during the school year. He worked with my timeline and got me to the best possible spot I could be at in just a short period of time. He also gives great life advice and has a lot of knowledge to share! I would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a tutor! read more

Life-threatening medical complications halted my MCAT preparation for over a year. When I was healthy enough to continue this endeavor, my testing abilities were far worse than before. My first Kaplan MCAT full-length was poor--494 (120/126/123/125), 28th percentile--and, after I showed no overall improvement towards my goal of a 508, it was evident that I required preparation assistance. I needed someone with extensive testing experience that would keep me accountable and not sugarcoat my inadequacies. Thus, I immediately recognized that I hit the jackpot with Doug Couchman. Via private tutoring sessions (~2 to 3 hours in length), we worked together on my MCAT studies. Doug was a very flexible scheduler and understanding with changes to our dates or times. We learned that I had not retained much of my old STEM education. In particular, I struggled with general chemistry and physics materials. Fortunately, Doug has such a solid foundation in all the MCAT topics--perhaps except for organic chemistry--that many of our sessions became individualized lectures. I could bring any question and have confidence that Doug was giving me the best answer. And, perhaps most importantly, he knew the required topics so well that he would rope me back when I strayed outside the scope of the MCAT. In the five months that I worked with Doug, my exam scores steadily climbed. After each practice MCAT I took, we would walk through my entire full-length in an extended session. He could be direct in calling out weak areas--especially if you are missing questions related to topics covered in previous sessions--but this is what a student like myself needed to excel. In the final full-length we reviewed immediately before my test day, we raised my score tremendously--512 (128/127/128/129), 84th percentile. Overall, Doug helped me surpass my MCAT goal with an AAMC Official Score of 509 (127/126/128/128). The truest testament I can provide regarding Doug's excellence is my official score. In honesty, I would not have performed nearly this well had it not been for his guidance. Doug never allowed me to cut corners and, at times, could be very blunt. However, this was in contrast to his encouraging demeanor and dedication to my improvement. I sensed that he took a genuine interest in me, and, by the end of our time together, he wanted my success as much as I did. If you want the best test preparation available, do yourself a favor and contact Doug. read more

I highly recommend Doug Couchman as an LSAT tutor. I worked with Doug over the span of two years in preparation for the LSAT, and I couldn't be happier with the tutelage I received. From the outset, Doug took the time to get to know me as a person and as a test taker and was able to tailor my preparation to help me excel to the best of my abilities. Doug is an incredible person, and getting to know him and spend time with him was a pleasure. He is fiercely intelligent, and I learned a huge amount just from our conversations. Doug has some incredible stories from his many years teaching the LSAT, and he is a really inspiring person to work with. The first time I attempted a practice LSAT exam, in preparation for my initial consultation with Doug, I scored 147. By the end of my time working with Doug, I rarely missed questions. I recently looked back over my practice tests and calculated that I had completed close to eight thousand LSAT questions in preparation for the exam. Metaphorically speaking, one could blow on a mountain for ten thousand years and not be able to move it an inch. Without Doug's incredible help, I most likely would have taken practice test after practice test, read books on the LSAT, and still have received the same less-than-stellar score that I did when I first took a practice test. I would definitely not have improved so dramatically without Doug's guidance, support, and friendship. read more

Doug was an amazing MCAT tutor. He has an intimate knowledge of the test and the material, as well as the strategies needed to sit for such an intensive test. He initially worked with me to make a plan on how to prepare and do content review. He worked with me skilfully on all content, often taking multiple approaches to address concepts I was struggling with. Perhaps more important however, was that he worked with me to identify patterns in my test taking and address those at the root. These were patterns I would not have noticed myself, and made a tangible difference in my score. Another great aspect was that Doug was reachable in between sessions for quick questions. I did all of my tutoring with him over zoom as we were on different coasts, and he was very reliable and accommodating. He made excellent use of the technology, and I did not feel that I was at any disadvantage being online vs in person. He was very encouraging but also straight to the point. He didn't allow me to make excuses for myself and really held me accountable. I looked forward to our sessions and working with him reassured me that I was doing everything I could to prepare, and I was making progress every week. I was accepted to medical school after taking the MCAT under Doug's tutelage and I highly recommend him to anyone that is looking to boost their score. read more

Doug is the best tutor you could get for the LSAT. When I started studying for the LSAT I first used one of those online courses that did not help me at all. I was feeling disheartened by the studying process until I met Doug. Doug was exactly what I needed to tackle this test. His one-on-one tutoring sessions really put me into gear and made me focus on specific improvements that other, larger courses couldn't. Doug was able to bring my score from a 145 to a 162 and now I am getting ready to attend one of my dream schools. The best advice I can give to anyone who is studying for the LSAT is to book a session with Doug. Doug really is the master of this test and is over all such a great guy! read more

Doug was an incredible LSAT tutor! When I first met him, it was evident how experienced Doug is with the LSAT. He has spent many years coaching and understanding the ins and outs of the test. He took the time to understand my learning style and adjust his coaching methods to meet my needs. Based off of my goals for law schools, we set a plan and worked to achieve that plan over several months. Heading into the actual LSAT, I was confident, and I executed exactly how Doug and I prepared. I would highly recommend Doug without hesitation. He is brilliant. He is fun. If you are dedicated to the work of LSAT prep, Doug will most certainly help you achieve a higher score. (I hope that conditional passes Doug's muster). read more

Doug is the best LSAT tutor ever! I highly recommend using Doug as an LSAT tutor. He is fun to work with, intelligent, and knows the test inside and out. He'll teach you everything about the test, leaving no stone unturned! Doug is also super understanding and flexible with hours. I worked with Doug for about two and a half months while working 50 hours/week with a two hour commute - He was extremely understanding and flexible with hours, even on weekends. I was hesitant at first to do Zoom tutoring, and it ended up being way more advantageous than in-person. The first practice test I took with no previous knowledge of the content, I scored a 147. After the two and a half months with Doug, I scored a 169 on the LSAT! He got me to improve over 20 points in such a short amount of time, and with a crazy schedule. Even when I thought my score plateaued, he gave me new study strategies that made my score increase. Doug takes the time to learn your strengths, weaknesses, study habits, and has so many tips and tricks specialized for each person! He is definitely worth the price too. THANK YOU DOUG! read more

I really enjoyed working with Doug for LSAT tutoring! He was extremely knowledgeable and truly knows the test inside and out. I really appreciated that the sessions were geared towards my specific areas of weakness and that he had clear tips and strategies for each type of question. Working with Doug helped improve my LSAT score significantly and I would highly recommend working with him! read more

I have to admit that I was a little intimidated by the LSAT when I first started, I think all of us are at first. For me, the decision to go into law came after I had already graduated college with a hard-sciences degree. First, I studied on my own, trying to familiarize myself with the LSAT, but I knew that I wanted a tutor, and I am glad that I found Doug. After we worked together over Zoom for a few weeks, I was beginning to understand the hidden complexities of the exam that, without the right guidance, may have taken years to see. Doug has the answers to finding the correct answers on the LSAT, and the strategies for you to understand how to find them. He has the ability to write the exam because he knows the ins and outs, and understands every corner and detail in each question and answer. The combination of having this knowledge-set and providing this as a service to future test-takers is extremely rare. I think the greatest takeaway that I got from Doug is that he completely revolutionized the way that I constructed and thought about logic games. Unless you are already scoring 100% on this section, Doug showed me the strategies to score above 95% on every games section. At all levels, if you are brand-new to the LSAT, or have been independently studying for a few weeks, I can guarantee that using Doug as your tutor and mentor for the LSAT is a good decision. read more

He did a wonderful job tutoring me for my MCAT exam. Helped me stay on track, learn strategies, and improve my score.

My name is Tessa, and I am a 41 year old bachelors student in the law program at the University of Arizona. I attend school part time and work full time. I decided last year that I wanted to give law school a shot. I took a practice LSAT cold and did absolutely terrible. I knew I needed help. I looked into online tutoring programs through Kaplan as well as in person at the University of Arizona. The LSAT is complex. There is the aspect of understanding what they are asking, developing a strategy to answer, and then doing in the limited amount of time given. I knew I needed in person instruction. I reached out to Doug after finding him on google. Doug taught me a skillset that I will use in test taking for years to come. Doug was able to identify my weaknesses and strengths. Rather than focus on improving my weaknesses, he focused on building my strengths and a realistic strategy to make the weaknesses work. Doug has methods that are not taught in mainstream prep courses. He will tailor them to your individual needs and continuously builds on them. Each session I had was built on the one before. He is amenable to schedule changes and will accommodate you however he can. Doug endured my family life continuing on around us without sacrificing the quality of instruction I received. I was able to improve my score by 10 points in 4 mos. of instruction with Doug. If you have individual needs and direction, then Doug is the right choice. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in his expertise of LSAT prep. Thank you Doug for being part of this journey!! read more

If you are looking for a LSAT tutor who will take the time to learn your patterns, understand the way you think about each question type, and guide you to the techniques necessary to get you to the score you desire look no further. When I first began working with Doug I was pretty overwhelmed by the idea of the LSAT and was convinced that logic games were an evil puzzle that I would never master but little by little that all started to melt away as we dissected and discussed my mistakes together. After spending hours upon hours at my kitchen counter with Doug working through practice tests I was able to complete roughly 3 out of 4 games in a section, of course the games section was certainly not the only place I improved but this was HUGE for me. Not only is Doug brilliant though, he is also a great guy who genuinely cares about his students and their success. I cannot thank him enough for all of his help and support throughout my LSAT journey. read more

I would give the highest recommendation to Doug. I worked with him for about six months to study for the MCAT. It was very helpful to have guidance about where I should be in my content review. If I had any questions, Doug is extremely knowledgeable on each topic and was able to clear things up for me. I also appreciated how he would go over every practice exam with me. He was able to identify patterns in the questions I got wrong so we could address my weaknesses and develop strategies to avoid making those mistakes in the future. I am confident that I would not have gotten this kind of tailored advice if I had taken an MCAT prep course instead of working one-on-one with Doug. He played a huge role in my success with the MCAT. read more

If you are looking for an MCAT tutor who is extremely knowledgable, well-prepared, and dedicated to your success, then Doug is the perfect tutor for you. While preparing me for the MCAT, Doug taught me essential test-taking strategies and the fundamentals of knowledge that I have continued to use long after the exam. Doug took the time to see where I stood score-wise, analyze my study techniques, and give me an accurate gauge of how much progress I had ahead of me. He is patient and honest and will push you to do your absolute best. The best part is he is funny and engaging throughout the lessons. I could not have gotten though this test without his guidance and preparation, both mentally and academically. I give Doug my highest recommendation! read more

He's a guru. Best decision I ever made. I've had coaches and courses to prepare for this test but neither were effective. Put simply, Doug has techniques that aren't in the mainstream LSAT prep lexicon. I began working with Doug and had difficulty breaking 140. He quickly brought my score up to the 160's, and after 15-20 more sessions I routinely tested in the coveted 170's, between 170-176, with my peak score being 178 / 99%. Every session felt individualized, and I walked away feeling a little smarter, a little more informed, and a little more confident about the test every time. I developed a warm relationship with Doug, and he became someone I could rely upon during the most stressful period of my post-undergrad life. I ended up placing at one of my top choices with a 75,000 dollar scholarship after formally negotiating (first offer was 60,000--always ask for more!). That leads me to my closing thoughts: 1) with the right coaching anyone (thinking of myself here) can do way better than they think. 2) GET A COACH! Classes and cookie cutter study programs just don't cut it. This is not the thing you want to slack off on, because how you do on the LSAT is EVERYTHING when it comes to law school (with the exception of UC Berkeley and maybe some ones I haven't heard of who weight personal statements and LSAT equally). I got into a top litigation program ONLY because of my LSAT score (GPA was 3.0). The amount of extra money spent on coaching is trivial compared to ensuring you get the best experience and biggest scholarship package you can at law school. And I wouldn't trust my friends with anyone but Doug for something that serious. read more

Doug was the best MCAT tutor I could have hoped for! I came to him two weeks before test day, mostly looking for help in chemistry/physics. I knew it was no small order - two weeks isn't much time. I had been studying through Kaplan's self-paced course, and despite putting in study hours, my score just wasn't improving. Doug not only helped me with content, but also analyzed the patterns and trends in my missed answers. He worked with me to develop useful test-day strategies and to think about what the AAMC was intending out of a question in order to help reach the solution. Doug also coached me through a bunch of topics in chem/phys (an area that has always been my weakness). Doug is empathetic, kind, methodical, and direct. He knows what it takes to score well on the MCAT, and goes above and beyond basic content review to really make sure you understand. Ultimately I scored 5 points above my initial goal score, largely due to Doug's help. I would recommend him to anyone! read more