LSAT Reading Comprehension

2. Too much re-reading

Minor details of the text are often more confusing than the main ideas. Learn to skim through certain parts of the passages. Slow down keywords that indicate contrast, point of view, or author’s opinion/emphasis as this is where you need to read more carefully. If you need them for a question, you can always go back to the passage. If you don’t, they aren’t relevant to the big picture.

3. Excessive time spent reading

You have 3-4 minutes to read each passage, so don’t waste time. Pause at the end of every paragraph, jot down some notes, and continue. Use the first sentence in each paragraph to help you figure out what is important to remember then read for those items.

4. Getting the main idea wrong

Make sure you keep an eye on two things: 1.) the author’s main idea and purpose, and 2.) answer. Wrong answers often deviate outside the scope of the text.

5. Answering from memory

On easier passages, you might get to the correct answer based on your stocked knowledge, but relying on your memory as a constant strategy limits you from getting the gist of the section as a whole. Instead, use your notes to guide you where to look for answers. Anticipate which information will be relevant when you get to the questions.

6. Inference questions

Inference questions inquire about the definition of a line, paragraph, or even an entire passage. These can encourage test takers to wrongly look for answers that could be possible given in the passage presented. Watch out for extreme wording and keep an eye on the big picture—the right answers are often safely worded and refer back to the main idea or overall scope.

7. Bad decision on passage order

Remember, the LSAT is testing you on what kind of management choices you make in each of the sections. Ordering the passages based on the subject matter is one of the biggest mistakes of test-takers. Instead, order the passages from easiest to hardest based on keywords, structure, and authorial voice—not what the passage is about.

8. Not getting to the final passages

Look for ways to cut down time spent on reading, then strategize your approach with the questions. Do the easy questions first before doing the tough ones. This way, you can make it to the final passages and answer the rest of the items.

9. Losing focus

Reading the passage is not enough; it requires focus and active thinking of the possible questions and answers. Do not focus on the subject matter. Instead, focus on how the author put the passage together.

To help you improve on your LSAT Reading Comprehension, you can also look for practice tests, sample passages, and prep books online by searching “LSAT Reading Comprehension Practice”, “Best LSAT Reading Comprehension Book”, “Free LSAT Reading Comprehension Passages”, “LSAT Reading Comprehension PDF”, “LSAT Reading Comprehension Bible” or “LSAT Reading Comprehension Passage Type Training”.

Moreover, you can also visit LSAC’s webpage at www.lsac.org/lsat/lsat-prep/prep-books-ebooks for more reference on LSAT prep books and eBooks. Any of the prep books published on LSAC’s website can be made available in accessible formats upon request.