The LSAT, or Law School Admission Test, reading comprehension section tests one's ability to analyze and understand sophisticated ideas and arguments. Successful lawyers are able to draw inferences from complex material and recognize subtle connections between seemingly unrelated phenomena. Such skills develop over time, so aspiring lawyers must adequately prepare for the LSAT.
Instructions
1. Understand the format of the reading comprehension section. Test takers must read relatively long, dense passages drawn from a broad range of subjects, including law, history and art. A group of five to eight multiple choice questions follows each passage. One set of questions asks readers to compare two brief article excerpts and three question sets will address only one article.
2. Read material similar to that presented on the LSAT. To correctly answer reading comprehension questions, you must identify viewpoints represented in passages, effectively analyze the organizational structure and premises of complex arguments and evaluate specific characteristics of reading samples. Read articles intended for a lay audience in which the author takes a well-supported stance on an issue through the use of complex ideas and sophisticated arguments.
3. Keep common question styles in mind when reading practice articles. Identify each article's thesis, note discussions of alternative arguments, determine strengths and weaknesses of the opposing viewpoints and analyze the author's conclusion and supporting evidence.
4. Practice answering reading comprehension sections under timed conditions. You must complete the section in 35 minutes, so it's crucial to practice pacing yourself well before test day. When taking practice tests, always simulate testing conditions. Eliminate distractions, strictly adhere to time limits and answer questions without using study materials.
5. Enroll in an LSAT prep course. Benefits of a prep course include access to study material, practice tests, classroom instruction, LSAT subject matter reviews and test-taking strategies. If scheduling constraints prevent you from enrolling in a traditional prep course, enroll in an online course or hire a private tutor. Most students significantly increase LSAT scores after completing a reputable prep course.
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