One of the four scored sections on the LSAT is Reading Comprehension. The entire section has about 27 questions distributed over four passages, where one of the "passages" is actually a pair of two shorter excerpts. This part of the LSAT is challenging because you only have 35 minutes to complete everything-both reading the passages and answering all the questions.
The key to mastering LSAT Reading Comp is to improve your speed without sacrificing your understanding of the material. Here are tips for studying to improve your score.
Instructions
1. Know the format of this LSAT section. Reading Comprehension contains three passages of 400-600 words each, and one pair of passages that have 200-300 words each. Each of these four subject areas will be represented by a passage (or pair): humanities, law, natural science, and social science.
The Reading Comprehension questions cover main ideas, details, points of view, inferences, and logical structure of the passage. In the case of the paired passages, some questions will be compare/contrast.
2. When starting this section, do the easiest passages first, and save the hardest one for last. The paired passages are often easier, though they look intimidating. The passage dealing with law tends to be more dense and therefore harder. Take 30 seconds to skim the section to see which passages have more friendly topics, shorter paragraphs, and shorter words-these will be easier.
3. Read the passages carefully to understand the argumentative structure. Some LSAT passages are merely descriptive, while others are persuasive articles, but all follow a logical (and often predictable) pattern of reasoning. For example, many Reading Comprehension excerpts start out with the history of a problem or dilemma, followed by several possible solutions, the author's critique of these solutions, and finally the author's proposed solution. Knowing the structure will help you on many questions.
4. Be on the lookout for structural keywords, such as although, therefore, thus, however, but, nevertheless, furthermore, etc. Also look for these phrases: for example, in addition, on the other hand, etc. These words and phrases give you clues about the author's line of argument; they tell you when the author is reinforcing a point, or undermining it.
5. Keep straight the different points of view. There is always the author's view, but often the viewpoints of critics and other researchers are presented. LSAT Reading Comp questions will try to trick you by mixing up who says what, or who thinks what.
6. Use your pencil to actively highlight key parts of the LSAT Reading Comprehension passages, and to make margin notes about the structure. The physical act of writing helps your retain info and will improve your focus. One thing that makes LSAT passages hard is that they are boring! Stay focused.
7. Always practice with a timer. At first, you can give yourself 15 minutes to read a passage and answer seven questions. But gradually, you should work your way down to 9 minutes.
8. Never leave questions blank. A wrong answer is treated as a blank answer on the LSAT, so there is no harm in guessing. Even with random guessing, your chances are 20%. If you can eliminate a few, your chances increase.
Tags: Reading Comprehension, improve your, LSAT passages, LSAT Reading, LSAT Reading