Reading Stimulus At Least Twice

[puppytiff]

Hi, I'm currently working on improving my logical reasoning speed. However, I notice I have the habit of re-reading the stimulus to ensure thorough understanding and accuracy. This tends to slow me down. Does anyone else read stimulus at least two times before understanding the question?

[Adam Tyson]

Many students do just that, puppytiff, and it will for certain slow you down. However, on this test accuracy and confidence count for much more than speed. It's better to answer 15 questions and get them all right than it is to answer 25 questions and get only 10 of them right, isn't it? You need to move at your most accurate pace, whatever that is. Ideally, we want you to get to a point where you read the stimulus just once (perhaps a little slower than you have been on your first pass), and for that to be enough for you to do all of the following:

1. Identify whether there is an argument or just a fact set
2. If an argument, identify the conclusion
3. Identify the type of reasoning, such as conditional, causal, analogy, formal logic, etc.
4. Determine the validity of the argument (usually bad, but not always)
5. Take note of any gaps - new things appearing in the conclusion that were not in the premises
6. Read the stem and prephrase an answer based on all of the above

To do all of that, you need to take an aggressive and active approach to everything you read on this test. Don't just read to gather info - read to prepare for a battle! Imagine you are engaged in a hot debate on this topic with the author - you can't ask them to repeat themselves, you have to pounce on their every mistake, take advantage of every word they use, notice their method of reasoning and react accordingly!

This takes time and practice, but it is a worthwhile goal. You need to be able to think on your feet in law school and as a lawyer, and that's part of what is being tested by the LSAT. You cannot always afford to be slow and meticulous. Be an active reader, always, and you will find over time that you need to re-read less and less.

In the meantime, move at your best pace. If you have to re-read, take note of that, and later, after you have answered the question confidently based on your work, you should ask yourself "why did I need to read that twice? What could I have done differently? Was I zoning out, or was I actively engaged? Did I ask myself questions as I went along, take mental notes of key words and ideas, pay attention to gaps in the argument, etc.?" As you begin to understand WHY you are needing to re-read, you may discover how to get past those roadblocks and get more involved in the process, which will lead to greater comprehension, greater confidence, greater accuracy, and ultimately greater speed and a higher score.

It's hard work! Don't let anyone tell you it isn't! But, with practice, paying attention to the materials AND to how you react to them, you will make gains along the way.

Good luck! Keep pounding!