Reading Comprehension Ch 10

Section Structure

Many students think Reading Comprehension passages get harder as you go, but that’s not true. Passage difficulty varies, and the last one might be easier than the first or second. Questions also don’t follow a set difficulty order, so you can’t predict which will be toughest.

Key facts about questions

However, two key facts can guide you: Over 90% of questions are Must Be True questions. These rely directly on the passage, so you don’t need to fear any question—the answer is always there in the text. In over 80% of passages, the first question asks for the Main Point. As covered in Chapter Three, always identify the passage’s main point. Doing so often helps you answer the first question right away.

Performance factors

Your performance on the LSAT Reading Comprehension section depends on various factors, and you need to evaluate your own strengths and weaknesses. The key is that slowing down and focusing on fewer passages might improve your score.

“Plus 2” Timing Formula

Working through the LSAT Reading Comprehension section with perfect, clock-like efficiency is ideal but unrealistic for most. If you aim to complete all four passages, you need to adjust your pacing based on the number of questions in each passage. The Plus 2 Timing Formula is a simple way to do this: Time per Passage (in minutes) = Number of Questions in the Passage + 2. This formula helps you allocate time based on the number of questions, accounting for the varying time demands of each passage set.

Examples of “Plus 2” Timing Formula

For example: A passage with 5 questions: 5 + 2 = 7 minutes. A passage with 8 questions: 8 + 2 = 10 minutes. This approach ensures you distribute your 35 minutes effectively across the section.

Using a Timer for LSAT Preparation

The LSAT is timed automatically on the test tablet, so practicing under timed conditions is essential. Monitor your pace during practice. If you feel like you are going too fast or too slow, adjust your speed immediately just as you would on test day.

Average move times

On an average you should try and move to passage #2 at 26 minutes and 15 seconds; Move to passage #3 at 17 minutes and 30 seconds; Move to passage #4 at 8 minutes and 45 seconds.

Pacing Guidelines for LSAT Reading Comprehension

Every test taker needs a plan before starting the LSAT Reading Comprehension section. While the Plus 2 Timing Formula works for many, those who read faster or slower may need a personalized Pacing Guideline.

What is a Pacing Guideline?

A Pacing Guideline is a flexible plan for how you’ll manage your time across the 35-minute section. It’s not a rigid schedule but a loose blueprint based on your strengths, ensuring you balance speed and accuracy. Through practice, determine: How much time you need per passage. Roughly when you’ll reach key points (e.g., question #10 or #20).

How to Create Your Own Pacing Guideline

1. Practice with a Timer: Time yourself on passage sets to find your average speed while maintaining high accuracy. Note how long a typical passage takes and how difficulty or question count (5–8 questions) affects your pace.

2. Set Simple Benchmarks: Establish rough goals, like time per passage or when you’ll hit question #10 or #20. Keep it simple—avoid complex timelines (e.g., specific checkpoints at 5, 8, 12 minutes) that can’t adapt to varying passage difficulty.

3. Account for Variability: Recognize that passage difficulty and question count (low: 5, average: 6–7, high: 8) will impact timing. Build flexibility into your plan to handle easier or harder passages.

4. Keep It Manageable: Limit your guideline to 4–5 key points. Too much detail (e.g., minute-by-minute plans) makes it hard to follow. Ensure your goals are realistic based on practice, not just what you hope to achieve.

5. Test and Refine: Practice your guideline to confirm it’s achievable and boosts confidence. Use it to monitor performance on test day: If you’re ahead of your goals, it’s a confidence boost. If you’re behind, adjust by speeding up slightly.

Key Tips for Pacing Guidelines

Practice consistently with a timer to mimic test conditions. Stay flexible on test day to handle unexpected challenges. Build confidence in your guideline through practice, so you can follow it calmly and effectively. Your guideline should reflect what practice shows you can do, ensuring you maximize your score within the 35-minute section.

Practicing beyond comfort zone

Periodically practice at a pace fast enough to complete the section, even if it feels uncomfortable. This helps you: Discover your true speed-accuracy sweet spot and learn what you’re capable of without relying on comfort.

Key takeaway from chapter

The key take away from this chapter is: Find what works best for you through practice and honest self-assessment, including your ideal speed. To do this, occasionally push beyond your comfort zone during practice: Read passages actively and aggressively, faster than feels comfortable (e.g., aim for 6–8 or 10–12 minutes per passage set). Be decisive, trust your training, and commit to your choices. Stop chasing perfection in every moment.

Limited Time Strategies

Even with a solid Pacing Guideline, you may run out of time on the last passage of the LSAT Reading Comprehension section. If you reach the final passage with insufficient time to fully read it and answer at least three questions, you can use one of two Limited Time Strategies.

Go Global Strategy

Skim the Passage and Answer Global Questions. What to Do: Skim the passage quickly to grasp the main idea and the author’s overall position, and then focus on answering Global questions (e.g., Main Point or Global Purpose questions). When to Use: Choose this if the passage has more Global questions (check by glancing at the questions first).

Go Local Strategy

Read Questions First and Answer Specific Reference Questions. What to Do: Skip reading or skimming the passage entirely. Instead, read the questions first, focusing only on Specific Reference questions with line references. Use those references to read targeted sections of the passage closely and answer the questions. When to Use: Choose this if the passage has more Specific Reference questions.

Deciding between Limited Time Strategies

When you reach the last passage with limited time, quickly scan the questions to see whether Global or Specific Reference questions dominate. Pick the strategy based on the question types and your personal strengths. You can’t pre-plan this; decide on test day after reviewing the passage’s questions.

End-Passage Strategies

If you’re close to finishing the passage or section but time is tight, use these mini-strategies to maximize efficiency:

1. Choose an Attractive Answer and Move On: If you’re on a late question (e.g., #26 of 28) with only a minute left and find a highly compelling answer choice (e.g., choice A), select it and move to the next question without reading all options. Normally, you’d read every answer choice, but with limited time, prioritizing speed over exhaustive checking can help you finish more questions.

2. Jump to the Shortest Questions: If you have two questions left and only a minute, pick the shorter question to answer first. Shorter questions take less time to read, increasing your chances of completing them. Return to the longer question if any time remains.

Passage Selection Strategies

On the digital LSAT, you can easily select which passage to start with using the navigation bar. This flexibility allows you to prioritize based on your strengths, such as starting with the Comparative Reading passage or the one with the most questions.

Starting with the Comparative Reading Passage

Why It Helps: The Comparative Reading passage (with two shorter passages) is often easier and more engaging, helping you build momentum and confidence. It also lets you complete a passage early, reducing stress. How to Apply: Use the navigation bar to scan for the Comparative Reading passage (labeled “Passage A” and “Passage B”) and start there. Note: Practice this to ensure it fits your style.

Starting with the Passage with the Most Questions

Why It Helps: Question count (5–8) doesn’t indicate difficulty, but passages with more questions give you a higher return on your reading time. Since reading time is roughly the same for all passages, a passage with 8 questions offers more scoring opportunities than one with 5. How to Apply: At the start of the section, quickly check the number of questions for each passage (listed in the question set). Prioritize the passage with the most questions to maximize points for your effort. Note: This strategy is especially helpful if you struggle to complete all four passages, as it ensures you tackle high-value passages first.

Key Tips for Passage Selection Strategies

Practice First: Test these strategies during practice to see which works best for you. For example, try a few sections starting with the Comparative Reading passage and others prioritizing passages with the most questions. Use score reports to compare results. Combine with Other Strategies: Use these alongside earlier tactics, like the Plus 2 Timing Formula or diagnostic tests, to address specific weaknesses. Track Performance: Log your results in a performance tracker (as recommended earlier) to identify which strategy boosts your accuracy and point total. Stay Flexible: Be ready to adapt on test day. If the Comparative Reading passage looks tough or has few questions, switch to the passage with the most questions instead. Use the Navigation Bar: On the digital LSAT, quickly scan passages and question counts using the navigation bar to make informed choices efficiently.

Alternate Reading Strategies

If you’re really struggling with Reading Comprehension, you can try different ways to read passages after choosing one. These are only for those having big problems. Test them in practice to see if they help.

Look at Questions Before Reading the Passage

Why It Helps: Checking questions first isn’t usually best, but if you’re really stuck, it can guide you. By skimming questions, you know what to look for (like details or the main point) while reading. How to Do It: Before reading, quickly read the question stems (not answer choices) to see what’s asked. Read the passage and answer questions as you find the info. This helps you focus on what’s important. Note: This might make you miss the big picture, so practice to still get the main idea and structure. It’s good for those who struggle with details or time.

Read the First Paragraph Carefully, Then Skim the Rest

Why It Helps: The first paragraph sets up the main idea and tone. Reading it closely gives you a good start, while skimming the rest for structure (like shifts or key points) saves time. This gives you more time for questions.

How to Do It: Read the first paragraph at your normal speed, focusing on the main idea, author’s view, and key details. Skim the other paragraphs fast, looking for things like new viewpoints, transitions, or conclusions. Use the first paragraph to understand the passage’s flow.

Note: Practice skimming to not miss key parts. This works if you’re short on time but can spot big-picture elements.

Key Tips for Alternate Reading Strategies

Practice First: Try these in practice to see if they boost your score. Do one passage by checking questions first and another by reading the first paragraph closely and skimming. Check results with score reports. Mix with Other Tips: Use these with strategies like picking the Comparative Reading passage or the one with the most questions to target weak spots. Track Results: Log how you do in your performance tracker to see which helps most.

Be Flexible: On test day, switch strategies if one isn’t working. If checking questions is hard, try the close-read-then-skim method or your usual approach.

Use the Navigation Bar: On the digital LSAT, use the navigation bar to quickly check question stems or passage types (like Comparative Reading) to make smart choices fast.

Alternate Question Approach Strategies

If you’re still struggling with Reading Comprehension, you can try different ways to tackle the questions. These strategies are variations of the Limited Time Strategies discussed earlier but are designed to be used from the start of a passage, not just when time is running out. Test these in practice to find what works best for you.

Go Global: Answer Global Questions First

What to Do: Answer all Global questions (e.g., Main Point, Primary Purpose, Tone) first, then Concept questions (e.g., questions about broader ideas or themes), and finally Local questions (e.g., Specific Reference or Detail questions that require checking the passage). Why It Helps: This groups abstract, big-picture questions together, followed by broader idea questions, and saves detail-oriented questions (which often need passage review) for last. It leverages your initial understanding of the passage’s structure and purpose. When to Use: Try this if you’re strong at grasping the passage’s main ideas early and want to secure points on Global questions before diving into specifics.

Go Local: Answer Local Questions First

What to Do: Start with Local questions (e.g., Specific Reference questions with line references), then move to Concept questions, and finish with Global questions. Why It Helps: Local questions often point directly to passage lines, making them easier to answer with targeted reading. Answering these first builds your understanding of the passage, preparing you for broader Concept and Global questions when you know the passage better. When to Use: Use this if you find it easier to focus on specific details first and build toward the big picture, or if you struggle with retaining details without immediate question prompts.

Key Tips for Alternate Question Approach Strategies

Mix and Match: Combine these question approaches with passage selection (e.g., starting with the Comparative Reading passage or the one with the most questions) or reading strategies (e.g., close-read-then-skim). For example, you might choose the passage with the most questions and answer Local questions first. Experiment in Practice: Try both strategies in practice to see which boosts your accuracy and comfort. Some prefer the control of choosing passages, while others stick to the order given. Some like a set question order, while others answer questions as they come. Find What Works: The standard method (described earlier in the book) works for most high scorers, but everyone’s different. If the standard approach isn’t clicking, tweak it with these strategies until you find the best fit. Track Results: Use your performance tracker to log how each approach affects your score. Note which question types you handle better with each strategy. Stay Flexible: On test day, be ready to adjust. If one approach feels off, switch to another based on your practice experience. Use the Navigation Bar: On the digital LSAT, use the navigation bar to quickly identify Global, Concept, or Local questions to prioritize them efficiently.