darcyyu wrote:I am having a hard time finishing rc section in time. I wonder how long will a good lsat taker read a passage in the section and how about your score?
I think it comes down to being less about how much
time you split between reading the passage vs. doing questions, and more about how
effectively you're actively reading, i.e. analyzing the passage as you read it for the first time.
As you read the passage, you should be trying to do two things at once. First off, obviously enough, you should be able to follow the essay and understand the issue(s) presented. Don't get lost - if you do, go back a sentence or two and get back on track. If a minor detail confuses you, as it may likely do, especially in a dense science or law passage, it's usually not important as long you understand the general idea. Reading at a brisk pace can be helpful in terms of time, but it's important not to rush.
While you're reading, you have a second job - to actively look out for certain elements that you're likely to be asked about. These include: the main point of the passage, the opinions of any major POVs on the issue, and the author's attitude. Before you start doing the questions, take a moment and see if you can describe those three things.
While this step may seem unnecessary and overlong at first, it's incredibly useful, especially you've practiced it and it becomes an instinct. Certain questions will become much easier. You'll find that you won't have to go back and re-read chunks of the passage to figure these "big-picture" concepts out. And the more passages you exercise this technique on, the more you'll start to see how similar RC passages are.
Another piece of advice is to wean yourself off of underlining/circling/writing summarizing notes in the margin. While these techniques are useful when you're starting out practicing Reading Comp, they can add up and take a sizable chunk of your time. It's fine to do them to an extent, of course, especially if you find it helpful. However, RC passages aren't very long, and you should be able to hold most of big picture ideas in your head. As for the detail-oriented questions, as long as you have an understanding of the passage's structure, and know where to look to find your answer, then you'll be fine.
!