To any LSAT-studiers looking to improve their reading comprehension, I have one piece of advice: read each passage once and only once. Read each passage once, closely, carefully, even passionately, and not again. Setting this intention and honing your close-reading strategies can change the game in reading comprehension (and logical reasoning, law school, and reading of all kinds).
Reading comprehension can feel more frustrating and slow-moving than the bite-sized logical reasoning questions. If you find yourself burnt out or plateauing in reading comprehension, give this strategy a go. If you’re just getting started, take this opportunity to build a strong reading comprehension practice right from the beginning.
(For rule-followers, as future-lawyers are inclined to be, one small caveat: if after your best close reading you find you’re missing something, go ahead and revisit the passage. Accuracy is always the #1 priority.)
Reading each passage closely and carefully one time will improve your accuracy in reading comprehension sections.
As a pleasant side effect, this tactic will also save you some time and boost your confidence. Setting your intention to read each passage only once and really dig into it will help you to pick up details you would miss in a skim. In your one close read, you’ll remember details and arguments more easily and recall them more quickly, without flipping back to the passage when answering questions.
Although accuracy (not time) should be front of mind when studying and testing, it’s no secret that the LSAT is timed. While boosting your accuracy with intentional, close reading, you’ll also save yourself the time of muddling through each passage a second or third time looking for the details you missed in the first.
Focusing on a single, close read will hone your reading comprehension skills and build your LSAT confidence. Banking on a second or third re-read of a section is likely to increase anxiety and undercut confidence in your reading comprehension. Instead of a rushed, nervous first reading, followed by rushed, nervous second and third readings, start each passage with the goal of reading it only once. Confidence is key on the LSAT. Resist the urge to rush, trust in your reading comprehension, and set yourself up to succeed.
Finally, these skills and practices will follow into other sections of the LSAT, law school and beyond. Close-reading will benefit your logical reasoning by helping you to pick up logical errors and arguments clearly and quickly in one go. Building these skills will also have benefits down the line in law school (mostly reading) as you prepare for class and study for exams. You might also find it easier to proofread your own work and digest articles from The Atlantic. You might also find that this practice of intention-setting and locking in will help generally with focus and concentration.
Strategies for close reading:
Lock in
Take a minute (or five or fifteen) before getting started to really lock in and get focused. Organize your space and remove distractions to the extent you’re able, clear your mind, get excited, repeat your mantra, give yourself a pep talk, whatever locking in looks like for you. This is a great practice for any study session, practice test, or real exam. The LSAT, with its tricky ways, is really a test of your endurance, confidence, and perseverance—a mental game of sorts. Find your own routine to lock in, and make it your practice.
Invest in each passage
From the first sentence, invest yourself in the story, author, subject matter, and arguments. Whatever the topic is, it’s the most interesting topic you’ve had the opportunity to read four paragraphs about: Scandinavian migration patterns in the mid-1800s, the replication of art deco architecture in south Florida, political activism in Bob Dylan’s discography, or whatever. To you, it’s fascinating. And even if it’s not, convince yourself it is. Taking a position on the subject or arguments (it’s great or it sucks) might also help you to dig in. Consider giving that a try.
Read with flair
You’re already invested in the passage, now try reading it with some dramatics. Read each passage like it’s Real Housewives dialogue, NBA draft news, a presidential debate, or whatever works for you. Emphasize points of emphasis as you read to yourself, and give yourself time to react. Adding some flair and some drama will make the arguments and details stickier as you read. Consider trying it out loud to see what it sounds and feels like to read with some animation.
Stay committed!
Reading deeply and carefully takes patience and discipline, particularly for naturally anxious test-takers (like myself). Stick with your close reading and your strategies. Check in with yourself as you read and answer questions. Did you miss a detail? Are you engaging, investing, digesting as you go? And hold yourself accountable—resist the urge to rush! All the above holds for test day most of all. Get comfortable enough with your reading strategies that you won’t throw them out the window when you sit for the exam.
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