When the digital format of the LSAT was introduced in July, we knew that students would need new preparation tools for this massive change. So, in June we introduced our Digital Platform. This allowed our students to study with the same tools and interface the actual test uses. Earlier this fall we opened up that interface to all students and gave them the opportunity to work with the interface by buying full tests or individual sections (if you want to try it, sign up for an account and download the free June 2007 LSAT here). Now, in response to students who want to do question type specific … [Read more...]
Killer RC: The Hardest LSAT Reading Comprehension Passages of All Time
Students studying Reading Comprehension passages often want to see the hardest passages in LSAT history. To that end, here is a list of the hardest Reading Comprehension passages of all time, in chronological order. It is accompanied by our at-times jesting commentary. Although we can no longer offer direct downloads of the games due to LSAC rules, this publication identifier link will tell you where to find them. Want to try them all? We've compiled them into a Digital Practice Set. PT2, October 1991, Passage #3: Waterbugs This was the first “hard science” passage ever to appear on the … [Read more...]
LSAT Test Archives: The June 2018 Reading Comprehension Section Reviewed
June 2018 is here, and a bit early this year. Hopefully this year's test went well for everyone. Whether you are taking one of the upcoming tests or are just looking to see how things played out in June, we have some initial thoughts about this most recent installment. So, without further ado, let's get right to the breakdown of each of the passages and then a few thoughts. Passage 1: Science – Climate Science (5 questions) Overall, June’s Reading Comprehension section was less challenging than many of RC sections of the last few years. But, this was still the most difficult section of this … [Read more...]
Reading Comprehension a Total Drag? Find a Study Buddy!
The LSAT can be a daunting experience for anyone starting out their preparation. And one particular area that a number of students will struggle with is the Reading Comprehension section. After all, most people taking this test are collegiate-level students who are initially confident in their abilities as readers. As such, they should be regular perusers of periodicals such as The Economist, Scientific American, The New Yorker and National Geographic. During their LSAT preparations, they should continue of course to read for pleasure (with a more critical eye) as we have advised here before. … [Read more...]
LSAT Test Archives: The December 2017 Reading Comprehension Section Reviewed
"Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown." Last Thursday, December 21, LSAC shocked the world with a dramatically early tweet indicating scores for the December LSAT would be released later that day, almost two full weeks before the official date of January 3rd. Over the next fifty minutes or so, news of the imminent score release spread like wildfire amongst December test takers. But then, just about one hour later, as hearts were stopping across the world, a correction. In fact, scores would not be released on Thursday, but rather on Friday, December 22. For many, this early release was a welcome … [Read more...]
LSAT Test Archives: The September 2017 Reading Comprehension Section Reviewed
Last week, the results of the September 2017 LSAT were released. The feedback we have received from students has been quite mixed, with only a few consensus observations so far. We previously broke down the Logical Reasoning section of the test last week and the scoring scale yesterday, and will be addressing the Logic Games section in the next couple of days.The September 2017 Reading Comprehension section, while not as difficult overall as the June 2017 RC section, could be seen as more top heavy. Passage 3 was just plain brutal. Not only was it by far the most difficult passage on the … [Read more...]
LSAT Test Archives: The June 2017 Reading Comprehension Section Reviewed
Well, the results are in. Overall, the June 2017 Reading Comprehension section proved to follow the general theme found elsewhere on the June 2017 test: the section was fairly average. While the Psychology passage in Passage 2 was challenging, the remaining three passages were all moderate to easy. There were no big surprises with passage positioning, as the easiest two passages were located in Passage 1 and Passage 3, so most test takers probably found enough time to reach both of them. There were seven questions in each of Passage 1, 2, and 4, while Passage 3 only had 6, for a total of 27 … [Read more...]
Note-Taking Reading Comprehension: Mark Up Your Map
Taking notes on Reading Comp passages can be a challenge for many students, especially because RC on the LSAT is so unlike RC on other standardized tests. Most students either forego note-taking altogether in favor of trying to “just get it,” or else they go crazy underlining everything they think might be important somehow.Neither of these strategies lends itself to the evidence-based approach you should be taking to answering the questions. Instead, what you need is a roadmap.Imagine that you are flying to a small town that you have never visited before. You’re going for a job … [Read more...]
LSAT Test Archives: The December 2016 Reading Comprehension Section Reviewed
Now that the December 2016 test has been released, we can take a preliminary look at the Reading Comprehension passages and see how they stacked up compared to other tests, and see what new twists (if any) they threw at us this time around.Immediately after the test, when the twittersphere lit up with all the usual comments and complaints and exclamations about what students around the world encountered, all the talk was about the Logic Games section (“The third game took so long!” “What the heck was with that fourth game, and would someone please kill me now?”) and a few specific Logical … [Read more...]
Logical Reasoning in the Reading Comprehension Section
A student recently wrote in to ask about the relationship between Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension on the LSAT, and more specifically whether he should be looking to apply the lessons from the Logical Reasoning Bible to the Reading Comp section of the test. This is an interesting question, and one that I’ve heard before from students seeking to clarify the relationship and distinctions between the various sections of the test.The answer is Yes, because when an author makes an argument, it will be comprised of the components discussed in the Logical Reasoning Bible—a conclusion, … [Read more...]
What to Do if Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension Scores are Regressing?
Today's LSAT Forum Post of the Day is a response to a student who began experiencing score regressions in both the Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension sections after studying for a few months. Our instructors David Boyle and Nikki Siclunov help diagnose what could be causing the regression and offer advice on how to move forward with their prep leading up to test day.Here's a quick preview. Make sure to check out the full thread to read the entire explanation David and Nikki provided to this student:The Forum posts selected for this series are chosen because they have a … [Read more...]
Multiple Subjects and Varied Viewed Points on the Reading Comprehension Section
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of reading an LSAT Reading Comprehension section, you may have noticed that the passages are not necessarily intended to delight and amuse. Even if you are an avid reader, they can be very challenging, because the passages are not written or chosen for clarity. Unlike newspapers and magazines, whose writers do their best to be clear and direct, the makers of the LSAT aren’t trying to sell you their passages— because you will be a part of their captive audience either way.The test makers have found several ways to make LSAT reading passages difficult. They … [Read more...]
Approaching Reading Comprehension Sections Strategically
Approaching the LSAT Strategically Series: Part I, Part II, Part III There is a fundamental truth about test takers when it comes to the LSAT: everyone is different. That is, everyone who sits down with this exam will have unique strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and ultimately, ways they can optimize their performance in every section. While that certainly affects how it is that people prepare, I think it also dictates how test takers should behave during the actual test. In this three-part blog series, we will look at each of the section types on the LSAT and consider exactly … [Read more...]
Staying Focused During Reading Comprehension
Do you have trouble staying focused in Reading Comprehension? It's the one section on the test that is notoriously difficult to improve on. In this Forum post, our resident LSAT expert and content developer Nikki Siclunov discusses strategies for staying actively engaged with the text. If you've ever "zoned out" in RC, this post is for you.Here's a quick preview. Make sure to check out the full thread to read the entire explanation Nikki provided to this student:The Forum posts selected for this series are chosen because they have a universal quality to them. In other words, we’ve … [Read more...]