Reading comprehension strategies and techniques - Time manag...

Learning Outcomes

After studying this article, you will know how to manage your time efficiently across LSAT Reading Comprehension passages and questions. You will understand techniques for prioritising passages, pacing within and across questions, and applying annotation and extraction strategies. You will also be able to select the best approach to active reading and answer selection under timed exam conditions.

LSAT Syllabus

For LSAT, you are required to understand the challenges posed by the Reading Comprehension section and to demonstrate the ability to:

• manage time effectively across multiple passages and question sets
• choose the optimal order in which to approach passages and questions
• apply strategies for rapid extraction of main points, structural features, and key details
• use annotation and highlighting techniques for efficient answer location Effective time management in this area is essential for maximising your score under real assessment conditions.

Test Your Knowledge

Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision.

1. What are the main reasons for skipping a difficult passage and returning to it later during Reading Comprehension?
2. Why is it important to annotate or highlight during your first reading of a passage?
3. How does previewing question stems support time management when approaching a passage?
4. In what ways can time be lost on Reading Comprehension if no passage or question-order plan is used?

Introduction

Efficient time usage is critical in the LSAT Reading Comprehension section. With 35 minutes to tackle four complex passages and their attached questions, even high-performing students struggle to finish every item with accuracy. Targeted strategies that regulate your reading, answering order, and use of annotation can make the difference between a good and an excellent score.

Section Structure and Timing Constraints

You will face four reading passages, often covering differing topics and complexity. Each passage is followed by 5–8 questions. The average time per passage is less than 9 minutes, including both reading and working through the questions.

Pacing Strategies: Macro and Micro

Macro time management involves planning your time across passages:

• Complete three passages and guess on the remaining one if you struggle with pacing
• Prioritise easier or more accessible passages at the start

Micro time management focuses on individual questions:

• Spend 3–4 minutes actively reading, annotating, and summarising each passage
• Allocate 5–6 minutes for the questions, but move swiftly through direct fact and main point types

Key Term: annotation
The use of underlining, highlighting, and margin notes to mark key arguments, structure, and opinion in a passage, so you can find relevant details fast.

Passage and Question Order

The order in which LSAT passages appear is not an indication of difficulty. The most challenging passage may be first, last, or anywhere in between. To maximise accuracy:

1. Skim the first sentence or two of each passage before you decide which to attack first.
2. Scan the question stems attached to each passage to identify which require heavy in-passage reasoning or complex application.
3. Begin with the passage that seems most straightforward or is on a familiar, concrete topic.
4. Save longer, abstract, or heavily theoretical passages for last—or for random guesses if time runs short.

Key Term: question stem
The part of the question that describes the specific task (e.g., "Which of the following best expresses the main idea...?").

Worked Example 1.1

You see a science passage filled with technical terms, and a humanities passage describing two competing literary theories. The science passage's questions are shorter, mainly "according to the passage," while the humanities passage has several long inference and analogy questions.

Which should you attempt first?

Answer:
Start with the science passage. Its questions are likely to be answered more quickly, freeing time for complex reasoning tasks later.

Active Reading, Extraction, and Avoiding Detail Traps

Time is frequently lost by excessive rereading or trying to memorise every fact. Instead:

• Skim quickly for structure, main arguments, and logical transitions
• Highlight or note the main claim of each paragraph and any explicit attitude indicators

Extract facts only when the question demands them:

• Use your highlights/notes to jump to relevant detail, then scan 2–5 lines above and below the referenced section
• For inference, attitude, or structure questions, think about how the claim fits into the passage as a whole before returning to text hunting

Key Term: active reading
A reading approach where you consciously separate core arguments from supporting detail and ask how each paragraph advances the passage's structure.

Worked Example 1.2

A question asks, "According to the passage, why did the scientist use tissue cultures in the 1940s?"

Answer:
Do not reread the entire passage. Use your annotation to locate the experiment paragraph, then scan for lines mentioning why that method was chosen and extract only what is necessary.

Question Order Within Passages

Many students complete questions in the order written, but this is rarely optimal:

• Do direct information or definition questions first—they are often quickest
• Leave analogy, inference, or "except" questions for later, when you have reinforced your understanding of the passage
• Return to flagged, skipped, or lengthy options with any remaining time

Key Term: flagging
Marking a difficult question or one skipped under time pressure, to return to it if time remains.

Avoiding Time Traps

The most common time sinks are:

• Getting stuck on unfamiliar vocabulary or abstract passages
• Spending too long debating between two plausible main point or inference choices
• Reading entire questions and answer options before deciding what the question is really asking

Revision Tip

Set a maximum time limit per question (e.g., 65 seconds). Flag and move on if still debating between choices as the limit approaches. Never let one question consume time from easier items.

Annotation and Efficient Return to Passage

Marking transitions (however, but, on the other hand), author opinions, lists, or unusual examples will greatly reduce search time for detail and structure questions. Use underlining and bullet-point margin notes sparingly to avoid clutter and confusion.

Key Term: transition indicator
A word or phrase signalling a change in argument, attitude, or comparison, critical for tracking structure under timed conditions.

Handling Running Out of Time

If you are within the final 2–3 minutes:

• Bubble in a guess for each remaining question, as there is no penalty for wrong answers
• Prioritise flagged questions with shorter answer options and any "direct quote" questions
• Never leave any questions blank

Worked Example 1.3

You are on the third question of passage four and time is nearly up. Two questions remain, both requiring comprehension of a key claim, but one is an "except" with long answers.

What should you do?

Answer:
Randomly mark answers for "except" and other unattempted questions, then focus remaining seconds on direct answerable items.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Exam Warning

Spending excessive time on comparative reading sets without identifying differences or direct points of agreement will quickly erode your time for easier questions on single passages.

Avoid annotating every sentence. Over-highlighting dilutes the benefit of visual cues. Record only main claims, structural shifts, and cited evidence.

Summary

Effective time management for LSAT Reading Comprehension is built on:

• Smart passage selection using topic familiarity and question preview
• Active, targeted first reading, prioritising argument over memorisation
• Quick annotation and judicious return to text only for question-relevant proof
• Skipping time-consuming inference or application questions until after direct fact ones have been completed in each set

Key Point Checklist

This article has covered the following key knowledge points:

• Strategic selection of passage and question order to optimise time use
• Active reading and annotation of main arguments, transitions, and structure
• Prioritisation of question types: direct, structural, then inference or application
• Use of highlighting, underlining, and margin notes for efficient passage return
• Applying maximum time-per-question limits and guessing when time is running out
• Flagging and returning to difficult or lengthy questions as needed

Key Terms and Concepts

• annotation
• question stem
• active reading
• flagging
• transition indicator