Time Management and Focusing on Passage

[ChicaRosa]

When I time myself for each passage I notice that I take about 10-18 minutes and I tend to space out when reading a passage that is too technical especially with science and legal/law related passages and sometimes even with cultural diversity passages.

I understand that I'm suppose to look for the main point, viewpoints (the author and those who support or disagree with author), and passage structure but when I'm timing myself I feel pressured to finish the passage that I may accidentally miss some important information from the passage.

I don't struggle with main point questions but I do struggle with inference/most strongly supported questions, passage structure questions, and sometimes with viewpoint and line reference questions.

I've tried highlighting and using symbols to mark viewpoints and other important events/arguments/points but it takes me longer to finish a passage on time. I've ditched this tactic and used memory instead but even like that I still struggle with time management.

Any tips?

Thanks!

[David Boyle]

When I time myself for each passage I notice that I take about 10-18 minutes and I tend to space out when reading a passage that is too technical especially with science and legal/law related passages and sometimes even with cultural diversity passages.

I understand that I'm suppose to look for the main point, viewpoints (the author and those who support or disagree with author), and passage structure but when I'm timing myself I feel pressured to finish the passage that I may accidentally miss some important information from the passage.

I don't struggle with main point questions but I do struggle with inference/most strongly supported questions, passage structure questions, and sometimes with viewpoint and line reference questions.

I've tried highlighting and using symbols to mark viewpoints and other important events/arguments/points but it takes me longer to finish a passage on time. I've ditched this tactic and used memory instead but even like that I still struggle with time management.

Any tips?

Thanks!

Hello,

If you are taking about 14 minutes a passage, you may be finishing only 2 and a half passages roughly. This is better than finishing just two passages, but I think you are trying to finish all 4 passages?
Keep practicing, and your time may improve. ...You say you sometimes just use memory. Does your score get any worse?
You say you feel pressured sometimes; well, find ways not to feel pressured. A lot of the test is about being calm and not terrified by the test, which makes you do worse, so you get even more terrified, etc. Try to make sure that outside sources of stress in your life are not obtrusive at this time, if reasonably possible.
And try hard to focus on the passage instead of "spacing out". The LSAT is often not pleasant, just like a lot of types of work are not pleasant. Force yourself to focus, then you can relax after the test.
And if you find some question types easier, like main point, that's natural. With the other ones, just work calmly and do them a piece at a time if you have to. E.g., for passage structure questions, ask yourself things like, "What role does each paragraph play in the passage? Which paragraph should I be focusing on in particular at this point, then?" Etc.

Hope this helps,
David