Improving speed on Logical Reasoning

[Asun88]

Hello,

I've recently been trying to improve my speed on the logical reasoning section- at this point I can reliably reach question 21 but find myself guessing for the next four or five questions. I've completed the LR bible & workbook and have started Question Type Training. Any recommendations as to which would be the best way to use this book for improving pacing?

Thanks,
Aman

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Aman,

Thanks for visiting the forum. Speed in LR is based on two main factors:

1. Your reading speed

Simply put, how fast a reader are you? While native reading speed is hard to increase, you can improve your ability at what you look for and recognize, which offsets a slower reading speed.

2. Recognition

Concept recognition (I'll use that term broadly to encompass a number of different elements related to understanding argumentation, language, question types, etc) plays a major role in how fast you can navigate through each LR question. Ask yourself, do you really know the concepts well and understand how to recognize and manipulate them? If I were to whip up a quick quiz on a few basic LR concepts, how fast would you be able to answer each question (here's an example: quickly name the five ways to strengthen a causal argument; if you hesitated at all, you need to go back and make sure you have the ideas locked down cold).


That said, with the LR Training Type books, the focus is on using those to better understand each question type, as well as to improve your speed through repetition. Once you've seen the same concept presented in a 5-10 different questions, the next time you encounter that idea you recognize it faster, and you are better able to move quickly to the correct answer. This is something I was just talking about with an instructor the other day--once you've really looked at all the strengthen/weaken questions dealing with causality, it becomes somewhat predictable as to what they do because they have so few options overall with that type of reasoning and certain question types. The same holds true for other reasoning types.

So, here's a starting suggestion for how to work with the LRTT: do each question type in order, and do them in sets of 10, timing yourself for each one (13-14 minutes is your average allotted time goal). After each set of 10, go back and examine each problem closely, looking at the stimulus and right answer, as well as the wrong answers. Look for patterns, and try to examine each question as if you would have to go teach it to a class immediately thereafter (What would you say about each question? What's notable about this? Why was it hard/easy? etc). If you can teach it to someone else, that will really show that you understand the question internally.

That's a start, but please feel free to add more specific questions to this discussion. It's an important question.

Thanks!

[Asun88]

Thanks for the prompt reply Dave!

I'll try doing what you suggested.

Aman