{"id":3511,"date":"2019-09-10T10:00:04","date_gmt":"2019-09-10T15:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.kaplanlsat.com\/?p=3511"},"modified":"2021-05-17T20:10:26","modified_gmt":"2021-05-17T20:10:26","slug":"score-lsat-reading-comprehension-points-avoid-common-mistakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/lsat\/score-lsat-reading-comprehension-points-avoid-common-mistakes\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Common LSAT Reading Comprehension Mistakes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The LSAT reading comprehension section often becomes a student favorite once they start their test prep. Why? It looks familiar. We\u2019ve all read articles similar to the passages that appear in this section, most of us have taken tests with reading comp before, and many test takers perform well without much practice.<\/p>\n<p>Test takers also feel frustrated, however, because the reading comp section does not respond with big points gains without implementing a more fine-tuned approach. So, let\u2019s review how we should be strategizing for this part of the LSAT in three key areas (so that you can roll around in a big pile of reading comp points, Scrooge McDuck-style). Piece by piece, here are our expert LSAT reading comprehension tips for raising your score:<\/p>\n<div  style='height:10px' class='hr hr-invisible   avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_heading  avia-builder-el-first '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p><div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_iconlist  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Reading Strategy<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\nWithin each passage, focus on answering the following questions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What\u2019s the big picture focus?<\/li>\n<li>What is\/are the author\u2019s conclusion(s)?<\/li>\n<li>Are there other points of view that agree or disagree with the author\u2019s conclusion(s)?<\/li>\n<li>How is the passage organized?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Avoid these common mistakes that test takers make while reading the passages:<br \/>\n<div  class='avia-icon-list-container   avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue816' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Underlining\/highlighting<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Underlining provides no value when answering the questions. Instead, circle structural\u00a0keywords, especially those indicating contrast (\u201cbut,\u201d \u201chowever,\u201d \u201calthough,\u201d etc.), point of view (\u201csome say\u2026\u201d, \u201ccritics argue\u2026\u201d, etc.), and author opinion\/emphasis (\u201cvery significant\u201d, \u201cmore trouble\u201d, \u201cterrible\u201d, etc.). By zeroing in on these keywords, you\u2019ll be able to efficiently grasp the passage\u2019s organization, the author\u2019s conclusions, and any additional points of view\u2014all of which are key targets for questions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue816' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Too much re-reading<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Minor details of the text are often (purposefully) more confusing than the main ideas. Learn to be comfortable skimming certain parts of the passages. If the information isn\u2019t part of the main idea of the passage, don\u2019t worry about it. Let keywords that indicate contrast, point of view, or author opinion\/emphasis (see above) slow you down; that\u2019s where you need to read more carefully. Keywords that indicate more of the same (\u201cadditionally,\u201d \u201cand,\u201d \u201cmoreover,\u201d \u201cfurthermore,\u201d etc.) or specific examples (\u201cfor example,\u201d \u201cthe case of,\u201d \u201cfor instance,\u201d etc.) can be skimmed quickly. Remember, if you need those details for a question, you can always go back into the text. If you don\u2019t, they aren\u2019t germane to the big picture.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue816' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Too much time spent reading<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>You have three to four minutes per passage to read, which means you have to use the\u00a0reading strategy\u00a0described above. Pause at the end of each paragraph, jot down some quick margin notes indicating where the important stuff is (like a table of contents), and continue. Use the first sentence in each paragraph, as well as the scope of the passage and keywords, to help you figure out what is truly important to remember from each paragraph, then read for those items.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><br \/>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_iconlist  el_before_av_iconlist  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Questions Strategy<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\nYour main goals when encountering the reading comprehension questions should be the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>First, get the gist of the question\u2014zero in on the main idea of what\u2019s being asked.<\/li>\n<li>Anticipate answers wherever you can.<\/li>\n<li>Finally, eliminate obvious wrong answers that don\u2019t fit the larger picture of what the passage is about.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Avoid these common mistakes that test takers make while answering the questions:<br \/>\n<div  class='avia-icon-list-container   avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue816' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Frequently getting the main idea or global questions wrong<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Make sure you stick to the reading strategy outlined above. As you go through answer choices, keep an eye on two things: Are the author\u2019s main idea and purpose addressed, and does the answer stay in the scope of the passage? Wrong answers will frequently veer outside the scope of the passage.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue816' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Answering from memory<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>This is a huge mistake made by even really strong test-takers. On easier questions for easier passages, you might get to the correct answer based on what you think you know, but relying on memory as a consistent strategy prevents you from getting the hang of the section as a whole. Instead, think of LSAT reading comprehension as an open book test. Use your roadmap (table of contents-style margin notes) to direct where you should be looking for answers. Anticipate which information in the reading will be relevant when you get to the questions, and you will be less likely to choose those tempting wrong answers.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue816' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Inference questions<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>The tentative language of inference questions (\u201cthe passage suggests\u2026,\u201d \u201cthe author would be most likely to agree with\u2026,\u201d etc.) can encourage test takers to mistakenly look for answers that could be possible given the information presented in the passage. Remember, inference questions in the LSAT reading comprehension are asking what MUST BE TRUE, and we should answer them accordingly. Watch out for extreme wording (does the author say that fairy tales ALWAYS have their basis in true stories?), and keep an eye on the big picture\u2014the right answers tend to be safely worded and refer back to the main idea or overall scope.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><br \/>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_iconlist  el_before_av_iconlist  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Section Strategy<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\nYour main goals in approaching the LSAT reading comprehension section as a whole should consist of the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Order the passages from easiest to most difficult.<\/li>\n<li>Be sure to get through every one of the passages.<\/li>\n<li>Stay focused.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Avoid these common mistakes made by test takers in approaching this section of the LSAT overall:<br \/>\n<div  class='avia-icon-list-container   avia-builder-el-6  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_sidebar '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue816' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Making bad decisions about passage order<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>A lot of people don\u2019t order the passages, which is a mistake. Remember, the LSAT is also testing you on what kind of management choices you make in each of the sections. Even among those who take the time to order the passages at the start of the section, many feel that they don\u2019t always choose well, which is extremely frustrating. The biggest mistake people make is to order the passages based on subject matter. No subject (not even natural science) is inherently more difficult than any other. Instead, order the passages from easiest to most difficult based on keywords, structure, and authorial voice\u2014not what the passage is about.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue816' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Not getting to the last (or last two) passages<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>I have heard many students say \u201cI can\u2019t get a passage done in under [insert time here].\u201d First of all, nothing on the LSAT is impossible. Look to\u00a0cut down some of that time\u00a0by following a reading strategy, then eyeball how you approach the questions. As with\u00a0logic games, it\u2019s not always in our best interest to complete every question. Be willing to leave some tough customers behind so you can get to the final passage\u2014which means choosing to do the easy questions first.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue816' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >It all blurs together<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Losing focus is a big consideration in LSAT reading comprehension both within individual passages and in the section as a whole. Remember to think critically about the text as you read. It\u2019s not enough to just read the passage. You should be actively thinking about what will show up in the questions. The subject matter shouldn\u2019t really engage you, however\u2014that will distract you from your reading strategy. Focus instead on figuring out exactly how an author put the passage together\u2014that\u2019s what should engage you.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><br \/>\n<div  class='avia-builder-widget-area clearfix  avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_iconlist  avia-builder-el-last '><div id=\"text-68\" class=\"widget clearfix widget_text\">\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p><span data-sumome-listbuilder-embed-id=\"b09e45baf32bb094b1db7ecb7bbced76db6d5ddeedea46d11ddd040e8de23baa\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><div id=\"text-69\" class=\"widget clearfix widget_text\">\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p><span data-sumome-listbuilder-embed-id=\"47f64185b039c44474f0041fb26ab7c506845672b7ebef37d1d95bc82f27b02f\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The LSAT reading comprehension section often becomes a student favorite once they start their test prep. Why? It looks familiar. We\u2019ve all read articles similar to the passages that appear in this section, most of us have taken tests with reading comp before, and many test takers perform well without much practice. Test takers also [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28376,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[25],"tags":[26,334],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3511"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3511"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3511\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37723,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3511\/revisions\/37723"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28376"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3511"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3511"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3511"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}