Top-Level Tips for RC

Struggling with Reading Comprehension (RC) on the LSAT? You’re not alone. RC can be one of the most challenging sections for students, particularly when it comes to managing time and avoiding misreads. If you’ve hit a plateau, the key may not be reading faster or analyzing deeper but improving your understanding and consistency. Here are strategies to help you refine your RC skills.

Learn From Your Mistakes

Many LSAT test-takers aim to answer every question perfectly, but even top scorers miss a question or two. High-performing students often leave a few questions unanswered in RC, and that’s okay. If you’re plateauing and missing a few questions, the best strategy is to review your mistakes thoroughly. 

The correct answer is proven by the passage, and incorrect answers can be disproven by passage evidence or not have passage support at all. For every missed question, identify why you chose the wrong answer and why you opted against the correct answer. Understanding why you made each mistake and how you misinterpreted the evidence will help you identify the problem and improve over time.

Comprehend, Don’t Assume

A common trap for high-level students is overthinking or interpreting beyond the scope of what’s written or implied. When a question asks what the author would agree with, it’s tempting to overcomplicate the task by reading between the lines. 

In most cases, the correct answer is explicitly stated in the passage. In other cases, the passage gives evidence that equals the correct answer when added together. Trust the text and avoid overcomplicating straightforward questions. If it’s mentioned in the passage, it’s likely the correct answer.

Predict Answers

Predicting answers is a game-changing skill for RC. Even if you understand the passage well, predicting the correct answer can help you stay focused and avoid being distracted by incorrect answer choices.

Before reading the answer choices, pause and think about the question. Consider what the answer should look like based on the passage. This helps you remain anchored to the text and avoid being misled by tricky distractors.

Understand the Main Point

Most RC questions revolve around understanding the main point or purpose of the passage. Even questions that ask for inferences often just test whether you grasped the core argument. Quickly identifying the main point is essential. When unsure about an answer, ask yourself if it aligns with the author’s central message. Focus on the answer choice that best captures the author’s intent.

Manage Time Effectively

Time pressure is one of the biggest challenges in RC. Rushing through passages can lead to mistakes, but worrying about the clock makes things worse.If time runs short, it’s okay to guess. What matters most is answering the questions you do attempt correctly. Prioritize accuracy over speed, and don’t let the fear of unfinished questions cause you to rush.

Final Thoughts

Success in LSAT Reading Comprehension isn’t about speed or over-analysis; it’s about understanding the passage and staying consistent. Predict answers to stay focused, trust the text instead of overthinking, and review mistakes thoroughly to learn from them.

Always remember that the main point of the passage is key. By focusing on comprehension and aligning your answers with the author’s message, you’ll approach RC questions with clarity and confidence.