What to Study?

[nicolle828]

I took the online class and feel that RC is not as discussed as other sections. I ordered the newest edition of the RC Bible, RC Passage Type training and the RC Workbook. My question is that I obviously have the necessary supplies and I am a good reader, but I want to know what I should do at this point to ACE this section on the October LSAT??? The Passage Type Training book offers only the answers with no explanations which I find less helpful. I don't know if just continuing to practice is the key with RC. Dave's Advanced course has made LG seem almost easy and his and Jon's LR Advanced course was really helpful. I want something similar to help me with RC . I am doing the four month study program and going to take another Powerscore course, but I'm just not sure what is the best approach for studying RC. Any advice?

Thanks!

[Steve Stein]

Hey Nicolle,

That's a good question, and it's great that you've ordered quality materials to prepare. As you go through the workbook, for example, you will find drills to develop your skills breaking through complex language, actively reading, and noting the integral components of any passage. It's great that you're working with the study plan as well, as it can be very helpful to have a solid plan of attack. As you progress through the materials, here are a few other thoughts to keep in mind:

As you attack practice passages, I would recommend doing some passages/reading comp sections completely off the clock--take as long as you need to get through the passage and feel that you have achieved full comprehension. You might find that it takes a while when you first do this, but you will also find that your time will get better with practice distilling the important information from the extraneous (and if you're working with passages from the Type Training books. you can always direct questions to the forum as you progress).

Reading is, of course, very different from games and less conducive to a formulaic approach, but practice should improve your performance and comfort within the section. I would recommend that after you've finished a passage, you go back and review whatever notations or diagramming you may have done, and adjust to whatever works best for you--was it more than enough to get you through the questions? If so, you could decrease your notations a bit. Did you miss anything important in the passage? You might notate or diagram a bit more.

Beyond the specifics of reading comprehension, there are strategic points to keep in mind as well--when you open a section, do you take a look at all four passages and choose to do your favorite one first? You should! With the questions, are you prephrasing at every opportunity? Give yourself every advantage when you attack the passages, and you will see your performance in the Reading Comp section improve.

Others on the forum may have advice to add as well, but meanwhile I hope that's helpful! Let me know--thanks!

~Steve

[nicolle828]

Thank you Steve! I printed that and will try all of your suggestions!