Perfecting Reading Comp Tips Forum
-
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2012 2:32 pm
Perfecting Reading Comp Tips
These techniques have aided me in achieving -1 to -0 on RC.
Only making annotations on the passage to signal viewpoints, author's view, and conclusions.
Writing one line that summarizes each paragraph after reading in the margin(5 words or less). This is to keep thoughts and ideas separate in your head, I rarely ever use the lines for reference.
To practice R/C without exhausting test material read articles in the following:
The Economist
SciCentral.com
(Both sites were recommended on Blueprints blog)
Open Microsoft Word: Write the title of the article on the document. Proceed by reading the passage only once, stop briefly to collect thoughts. After that go to the open word document and write everything you can from memory, in the order that the information is given in the article.
Then Write Main Point of Article:
Example: Though China is making efforts to clean its air, it will be a long time before benefits are seen and problems will continue to arise.
Then Write the Argument Structure:
Example: Background information, current problem, elucidating ways to read information given, return to problem and potential short-term solution, problems for that as well. Conclusion no clear cut solution but changes are being made.
Write the Tone the Author Uses
Example:Concerned with subtle hints of sarcasm
Reference the article again after doing this to see how much information you did not retain.
If There is a Particular Question Type that is Difficult for you
Begin writing questions and answers derived from the article. No need to use the multiple choice format for this part. After you begin the question writing process you will instinctively search for elements in the article that would make both good questions and answers and consequently reading LSAT passages will elicit the same response.
Use online-stopwatch.com
After you get comfortable with reading and regurgitating the information, put the timer on 4 minutes initially, after the time has expired carryout the same process. Lower the time in a manner that is consistent with your progress until you get to 2 1/2 minutes(Any lower than that and you are more than likely skimming). Most articles on the Economist are longer than LSAT passages, which means if you are completing the passages in sub 4 minute time, your are great shape for finishing R/C with time to spare on the LSAT.
Since the subject content is similar to the passages that appears on the LSAT, you will not find many articles too alien come test time(There will exceptions). The Economist is eclectic in nature and with the exception of it's science articles, all of it's articles are written similarly to the LSAT's passages.
I went from -7 to -0(Both Medians) using this technique. It does not take long to see change, and is
significantly less frustrating than repeatedly doing sections and making errors that are rooted in your ability to retain information rather than your ability to answer R/C questions correctly.
I hope this aids those who have difficulty with this section of the test.
God Speed
Thelonious
Only making annotations on the passage to signal viewpoints, author's view, and conclusions.
Writing one line that summarizes each paragraph after reading in the margin(5 words or less). This is to keep thoughts and ideas separate in your head, I rarely ever use the lines for reference.
To practice R/C without exhausting test material read articles in the following:
The Economist
SciCentral.com
(Both sites were recommended on Blueprints blog)
Open Microsoft Word: Write the title of the article on the document. Proceed by reading the passage only once, stop briefly to collect thoughts. After that go to the open word document and write everything you can from memory, in the order that the information is given in the article.
Then Write Main Point of Article:
Example: Though China is making efforts to clean its air, it will be a long time before benefits are seen and problems will continue to arise.
Then Write the Argument Structure:
Example: Background information, current problem, elucidating ways to read information given, return to problem and potential short-term solution, problems for that as well. Conclusion no clear cut solution but changes are being made.
Write the Tone the Author Uses
Example:Concerned with subtle hints of sarcasm
Reference the article again after doing this to see how much information you did not retain.
If There is a Particular Question Type that is Difficult for you
Begin writing questions and answers derived from the article. No need to use the multiple choice format for this part. After you begin the question writing process you will instinctively search for elements in the article that would make both good questions and answers and consequently reading LSAT passages will elicit the same response.
Use online-stopwatch.com
After you get comfortable with reading and regurgitating the information, put the timer on 4 minutes initially, after the time has expired carryout the same process. Lower the time in a manner that is consistent with your progress until you get to 2 1/2 minutes(Any lower than that and you are more than likely skimming). Most articles on the Economist are longer than LSAT passages, which means if you are completing the passages in sub 4 minute time, your are great shape for finishing R/C with time to spare on the LSAT.
Since the subject content is similar to the passages that appears on the LSAT, you will not find many articles too alien come test time(There will exceptions). The Economist is eclectic in nature and with the exception of it's science articles, all of it's articles are written similarly to the LSAT's passages.
I went from -7 to -0(Both Medians) using this technique. It does not take long to see change, and is
significantly less frustrating than repeatedly doing sections and making errors that are rooted in your ability to retain information rather than your ability to answer R/C questions correctly.
I hope this aids those who have difficulty with this section of the test.
God Speed
Thelonious
- BlaqBella
- Posts: 868
- Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2011 9:41 am
Re: Perfecting Reading Comp Tips
Tagging for future reference. Thanks!
- wtrc
- Posts: 2053
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2011 9:37 pm
Re: Perfecting Reading Comp Tips
Thanks, these look great. How long did it take to improve? Thanks!
-
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2012 2:32 pm
Re: Perfecting Reading Comp Tips
Using the one line main point technique, I saw an instant reduction from -7,-8 to about -5. Following only the opinions and conclusions got me to -4. This all was in the span of a week, I wanted R/C to be up to par with the rest of my sections so I began the Economist memorization technique and I start getting perfect sections about two weeks after implementing that part of my strategy. All together it took three weeks for me to consistently score -1 or less.
Hope this aids others in their quest for high scores.
Thelonious Kwiggz
Hope this aids others in their quest for high scores.
Thelonious Kwiggz
- John_rizzy_rawls
- Posts: 3468
- Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:44 pm
Re: Perfecting Reading Comp Tips
Good tips, thanks.
Want to continue reading?
Register now to search topics and post comments!
Absolutely FREE!
Already a member? Login
-
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2012 2:32 pm
Re: Perfecting Reading Comp Tips
Political Liberalism was one of my favorite social philosophy books Mr. John Rizzy Rawls
- John_rizzy_rawls
- Posts: 3468
- Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:44 pm
Re: Perfecting Reading Comp Tips
I'm writing my thesis (partially) on Political Liberalism as a conceptual framework for reinventing democracy in an era of hyper-polarization. Rawls is my boy.Thelonious Kwiggz wrote:Political Liberalism was one of my favorite social philosophy books Mr. John Rizzy Rawls
-
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2012 11:23 pm
Re: Perfecting Reading Comp Tips
Very helpful. Thanks.
-
- Posts: 56
- Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 5:43 pm
Re: Perfecting Reading Comp Tips
This is great, tagging for later, thank you very much!
- francesfarmer
- Posts: 1406
- Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 11:52 am
-
- Posts: 592
- Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2012 5:32 pm
-
- Posts: 101
- Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2013 5:04 pm
Re: Perfecting Reading Comp Tips
amazing! Can't wait to try this as I am in the same boat
- Dog
- Posts: 371
- Joined: Mon Dec 31, 2012 1:00 am
Re: Perfecting Reading Comp Tips
Will definitely try this stuff out. I just broke the 170 plane recently (last 4 have been 170, 172, 170, 173), but I still am pretty inconsistent with RC. It's definitely my biggest weakness, especially given that logic games supposedly get easier and RC gets more difficult as you progress to the more recent tests.
I'm just glad my inherent capabilities seem to be best suited for LR, which is pretty much half the test.
I'm just glad my inherent capabilities seem to be best suited for LR, which is pretty much half the test.
Register now!
Resources to assist law school applicants, students & graduates.
It's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
-
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2012 2:32 pm
Re: Perfecting Reading Comp Tips
LR is by far my favorite section, but I have learned never to feel as if I have mastered the section. Just one week of no practice and I will go from -0 to -2. LG and RC are now my most consistent sections with LR requiring the most maintenance inorder to sustain -1 to -0 result. But I hope that this aids those in their pursuit of a perfect RC score.
- Systematic1
- Posts: 236
- Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2012 5:14 pm
Re: Perfecting Reading Comp Tips
This is a really cool post. Thank you.
- Chambo
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2010 12:38 pm
Re: Perfecting Reading Comp Tips
Tagging. God bless America.
Get unlimited access to all forums and topics
Register now!
I'm pretty sure I told you it's FREE...
Already a member? Login
-
- Posts: 2213
- Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2012 10:21 am
Re: Perfecting Reading Comp Tips
Does anyone have any magazine or journal other than the economist that they would recommend? Reading their "world perspective" makes me nauseous.
-
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2012 4:29 pm
Re: Perfecting Reading Comp Tips
Scientific American and Scientific American Mind. They are both great and they can familiarize people without any scientific backgrounds other than their high school biology course, on some of the science topics that they may encounter on the LSAT. I read them and science passages are by far my favorite.
- crestor
- Posts: 313
- Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 5:37 am
Re: Perfecting Reading Comp Tips
studying LGs right now, thanks for the future RC material!
- jrsbaseball5
- Posts: 290
- Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2012 12:41 pm
Re: Perfecting Reading Comp Tips
Tagged. Thanks!
Communicate now with those who not only know what a legal education is, but can offer you worthy advice and commentary as you complete the three most educational, yet challenging years of your law related post graduate life.
Register now, it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
- dowu
- Posts: 8298
- Joined: Wed Mar 28, 2012 9:47 pm
Re: Perfecting Reading Comp Tips
TagaroniBlaqBella wrote:Tagging for future reference. Thanks!
-
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2013 11:04 pm
Re: Perfecting Reading Comp Tips
BlaqBella wrote:Tagging for future reference. Thanks!
Seriously? What are you waiting for?
Now there's a charge.
Just kidding ... it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login