Getting Started with Reading Comprehension | LSAT Prep

Understanding the LSAT Reading Comprehension Section

The LSAT Reading Comprehension section measures your ability to read, understand, and analyze dense, sophisticated passages similar to materials you'll encounter in law school. Developed by the Law School Admission Council, this section evaluates critical skills necessary for legal education, including your capacity to identify main points, understand complex arguments, draw reasonable inferences, and recognize the author's tone and purpose.

Each Reading Comprehension section contains exactly four passage sets, with each set followed by 5-8 questions. The passages are drawn from diverse subject areas including humanities, social sciences, biological and physical sciences, and law-related topics. The material is intentionally challenging, featuring high-level vocabulary, sophisticated rhetorical structures, and multiple perspectives that require careful analysis.

Section Structure and Timing

Effective time management is crucial for success in this section. With approximately 8-9 minutes per passage, you must balance thorough comprehension with efficient pacing. Many test-takers find that spending 3-4 minutes reading and annotating the passage, then 4-5 minutes answering questions, provides the optimal balance between understanding and speed.

Types of Passages and Topics

LSAT Reading Comprehension passages span a wide intellectual spectrum to test your ability to quickly grasp unfamiliar material. The passages are deliberately dense and often present multiple viewpoints, complex arguments, or theoretical frameworks that require active engagement.

Question Types You'll Encounter

Understanding the different question types helps you approach each question strategically and efficiently. While the specific wording varies, most Reading Comprehension questions fall into several recognizable categories.

Main Point Questions

These questions ask you to identify the primary argument, thesis, or central idea of the passage. Look for questions beginning with "The main point of the passage is..." or "Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point...?" The correct answer must encompass the entire passage without being too broad or too narrow.

Detail and Retrieval Questions

These questions test whether you can locate and understand specific information stated explicitly in the passage. They often include phrases like "According to the passage..." or "The author mentions which of the following...?" Success requires careful reading and the ability to quickly reference the passage.

Inference Questions

Inference questions require you to draw logical conclusions based on information provided in the passage, even when those conclusions aren't explicitly stated. Look for "The passage suggests..." or "It can be inferred from the passage..." These questions test your ability to read between the lines while staying grounded in textual evidence.

Function and Structure Questions

These questions ask why the author included specific information or how different parts of the passage relate to one another. Examples include "The author discusses X primarily in order to..." or "The third paragraph functions in the passage to..." Understanding the passage's organizational structure is essential for these questions.

Tone and Attitude Questions

These questions assess your understanding of the author's perspective, opinion, or emotional stance toward the subject matter. Watch for "The author's attitude toward X can best be described as..." The correct answer must be supported by the author's word choices and argumentative approach.

Comparative Reading Questions

Exclusive to the Comparative Reading set, these questions ask you to analyze the relationship between the two passages. You might need to identify agreements, disagreements, differences in approach, or how information from one passage relates to the other.

Essential Strategies for Getting Started

Identify the Main Point Early

As you read, develop a working theory of the passage's main point. This central thesis usually appears in the first or second paragraph, though sometimes it's explicitly stated only in the conclusion. Every other element of the passage should relate to this main point in some way—either supporting it, exploring its implications, or presenting alternative viewpoints.

Track Paragraph Functions

Each paragraph serves a specific purpose within the passage's overall structure. Common functions include introducing the topic, presenting background information, explaining a theory, offering evidence, addressing counterarguments, or drawing conclusions. Understanding these functions helps you navigate the passage efficiently when answering questions.

Note the Author's Tone and Purpose

Pay attention to the author's attitude toward the subject matter. Are they advocating for a particular position, objectively presenting multiple viewpoints, critiquing an existing theory, or proposing a new framework? The author's purpose shapes the entire passage and frequently appears in questions.

Strategic Highlighting and Annotation

The digital LSAT interface provides highlighting tools that you should use strategically. Effective test-takers highlight key concepts, transitions between ideas, the author's opinions, important names and dates, and structural signals. However, avoid over-highlighting—marking too much text defeats the purpose of highlighting important information.

Manage Your Passage Order

The passages don't appear in order of difficulty—the hardest passage might be first, last, or anywhere in between. Consider quickly skimming the opening sentences of each passage to identify which topics seem most accessible to you. Starting with a familiar or straightforward passage can build momentum and confidence.

Answer Every Question

The LSAT has no penalty for wrong answers, so you should respond to every question even if you need to guess. Your raw score is simply the number of correct answers, and an educated guess is always better than leaving a question blank.

Official LSAT Resources from LSAC

LawHub and LawHub Advantage

LSAC's official digital platform, LawHub, is the primary resource for LSAT preparation. The free version provides access to authentic Official LSAT PrepTests with the same digital interface used on test day. You can practice highlighting, eliminating answer choices, and navigating passages exactly as you will during the actual exam.

Free LawHub features include:

• Four complete Official LSAT PrepTests with authentic test interface
• Unlimited practice with self-paced and simulated exam modes
• Practice test history tracking your performance over time
• Instant scoring feedback showing your strengths and weaknesses
• Drill sets focusing on specific Reading Comprehension question types
• Hints and explanations for every question

LawHub Advantage (approximately $115-120 for one year) provides an extensive library of additional Official LSAT PrepTests, giving you access to decades of authentic LSAT questions. This subscription is highly recommended for serious test-takers who want comprehensive practice.

Official LSAT Prep Books

LSAC publishes official preparation books featuring real LSAT questions with explanations written by actual LSAT test developers. The New Official LSAT TriplePrep series reflects the current LSAT format implemented in August 2024. These books provide portable practice options and detailed explanations that reveal the reasoning behind correct and incorrect answers.

LSAC's Suggested Approach Resources

The Law School Admission Council provides free guidance on approaching Reading Comprehension passages on their official website. These resources come directly from the test developers and offer authoritative advice on test-taking strategies.

Free Official PrepTests

In addition to the four free PrepTests on LawHub, LSAC occasionally makes additional practice materials available. Test-takers with fee waivers receive free access to LawHub Advantage, significantly expanding their practice resources.

Building Your Practice Routine

Consistent, strategic practice is the key to improving your Reading Comprehension performance. Your practice should evolve through distinct phases, each building upon the previous stage.

Foundation Phase: Untimed Practice

When you're first getting started, focus on understanding passages deeply without time pressure. Read each passage thoroughly, annotate carefully, and take time to understand why each correct answer is right and why each wrong answer is wrong. This foundational work builds the comprehension skills you'll later apply under time constraints.

Development Phase: Timed Practice Sets

Once you're comfortable with the passage types and question styles, begin practicing individual passages under timed conditions. Give yourself 8-9 minutes per passage and track your performance. Identify patterns in the types of questions you miss—are you struggling with inference questions, main point questions, or specific passage topics?

Performance Phase: Full Sections

As test day approaches, complete full 35-minute Reading Comprehension sections under realistic test conditions. Use the digital LawHub interface to simulate the actual testing experience. Practice managing your energy across all four passages and making strategic decisions about passage order.

Track Your Progress

LawHub provides performance analytics showing your accuracy by question type and passage topic. Use this data to identify your weaknesses and focus your practice accordingly. If you consistently struggle with comparative reading or science passages, dedicate additional practice time to those areas.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Over-Relying on Outside Knowledge

While LSAT passages cover diverse topics, you should never rely on your prior knowledge of the subject matter. Every question can and must be answered based solely on information provided in the passage. Test-takers who bring outside assumptions or expertise often select wrong answers that are factually true but unsupported by the passage text.

Failing to Return to the Passage

Many test-takers try to answer questions from memory without referencing the passage. This approach leads to errors, especially on detail questions and questions about the author's specific wording. The passage is always available—use it.

Choosing Extreme or Absolute Answers

Wrong answers often contain extreme language like "always," "never," "completely," or "impossible" that goes beyond what the passage actually supports. While not every extreme answer is wrong, approach them with skepticism and verify that the passage truly supports such definitive claims.

Ignoring Passage Structure

Test-takers who focus only on content without understanding structure often miss function questions and struggle to locate information quickly. Understanding how the passage is organized—which paragraphs introduce concepts, provide evidence, address counterarguments, or draw conclusions—makes answering questions much more efficient.

Poor Time Management

Spending too much time on difficult questions or challenging passages can leave you rushing through later material. If a question is consuming too much time, make your best guess, flag it if the interface allows, and move forward. You can return if time permits.

Understanding LSAT Scoring

Your LSAT Reading Comprehension performance contributes to your overall LSAT score, which ranges from 120 to 180. The scoring process involves converting your raw score (the number of questions answered correctly) into a scaled score that accounts for slight variations in test difficulty.

The Reading Comprehension section typically contains 26-28 questions out of approximately 75-77 total scored questions on the LSAT. Each correct answer contributes equally to your raw score, regardless of difficulty. Because there's no penalty for incorrect answers, your strategy should maximize the number of questions you answer while maintaining accuracy.

For perspective, a raw score of approximately 67 correct answers (out of ~77) converts to a scaled score of 170, which places you around the 97th percentile. A raw score of 54 yields approximately 160 (80th percentile), while 40 correct answers produces roughly 150 (50th percentile). These conversions vary slightly from test to test to account for difficulty differences.

Next Steps in Your LSAT Journey

Beginning your LSAT Reading Comprehension preparation can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into manageable steps makes the process more approachable. Start by creating a free LSAC account and accessing LawHub to experience authentic test materials. Take an initial diagnostic practice test to establish your baseline performance and identify your starting point.

Develop a consistent study schedule that includes regular reading practice beyond LSAT materials. Reading complex, sophisticated texts from academic journals, literary publications, and analytical essays builds the comprehension stamina necessary for LSAT success. Many successful test-takers read publications like The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Scientific American, or academic journals to strengthen their reading muscles.

As you progress, consider joining online LSAT communities where test-takers share strategies, discuss challenging questions, and support one another. However, always verify advice against official LSAC resources, as unofficial strategies sometimes conflict with the test makers' intended approaches.

Frequently Asked Questions