Hey John,
Thanks for the question. LSAT Reading Comprehension is a tough section, and there are many tips and strategies for doing well. I took a look at the link you included, and my big concern is that it is for SAT reading passages, which is considerably easier than LSAT RC, and also that there isn't much there in terms of actual tips. SAT Reading passages are formulated on a much easier level than LSAT passages, and there are also other differences (such as that the LSAT doesn't typically include an introductory overview of the passage).
In answer to your specific question about when to read the questions, we generally advocate reading the passage first then doing the questions at the end. I'll include an excerpt from the LSAT Reading Comprehension Bible that address the other approach you mention:
3. DO NOT scan the questions first, then go to the passage and read it, answering questions as you come upon relevant information.
Like the two methods discussed previously, this approach may have some initial appeal. Proponents claim that a preview of the questions gives readers more direction when approaching the passage—if they know what will be asked, perhaps students can get a sense of what to look for when reading the passage. Then, proponents argue, students can save time and effort by skimming though the material that is not pertinent to any of the questions.
There are several problems with this approach: Because there are between five and eight questions per passage, students are forced to try to juggle a large amount of disparate information before even starting the passage. Not only does this make retaining the details of the questions challenging, but it also detracts from one’s attention when reading the passage. Second, reading the questions first often wastes valuable time, since the typical student who applies this flawed approach will read and consider the questions, read the passage, and then go back and read each question again. This re-reading takes time without yielding any real benefit.
When approaching RC passages we have a system that we teach students that helps them identify the areas in each passage that generate questions. We discuss this approach in our courses, and in the
PowerScore LSAT Reading Comprehension Bible. The system is relatively sophisticated, but then again, so is the LSAT and you have to fight fire with fire.
Aside from taking a course or Reading the RCB, I'd strongly recommend that you do as many real LSAT Reading Comprehension passages as possible. We use real questions in our books and courses (if you take a full-length or virtual course you get all the available LSAT RC passages), and using real questions is essential to preparing for the real thing.
Please let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks!
