Learning Outcomes
After reading this article, you will understand how to approach the LSAT exam sections on test day, select the best passage or section order for your strengths, and implement proven pacing strategies to maximize your score. You will be able to assess time allocation, avoid common timing errors, and make practical decisions about question and section ordering, ensuring you complete as many questions as possible without sacrificing accuracy.
LSAT Syllabus
For the LSAT exam, you are expected to demonstrate strong time management skills and a clear approach to answering questions under timed conditions. In your preparation, focus your revision on:
- how to evaluate section order and passage selection to optimize your personal strengths
- methods for efficient pacing within each LSAT section, balancing speed and accuracy
- when to move on, skip, guess, or flag questions, depending on difficulty and remaining time
- strategies to maximize correct answers—especially under intense time pressure
- how to manage breaks, test-day stress, and use of scratch paper/answer flags to remain focused
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.
- True or false? You must always complete LSAT questions in the order they appear within a section.
- Which of the following best describes a recommended approach when you cannot solve a question after reading it twice?
a) spend more time until you arrive at an answer
b) mark it to return to if time allows
c) guess immediately and move on
d) leave it unanswered entirely - What is the typical recommended percentage of time you should spend on the initial passage setup in a Reading Comprehension or Games section?
a) 5%
b) 15%
c) 50%
d) 90% - True or false? Every LSAT test-taker should attempt all sections in the same order for maximum results.
Introduction
Test-day performance on the LSAT is determined not only by subject knowledge but also by timing and question-order strategy. How you manage the order in which you address passages or sections, as well as your pacing through questions, can have a major impact on your score. This article sets out practical approaches to optimize your performance under real test conditions.
SECTIONAL ORDER: CHOOSING WHERE TO START
For the LSAT's Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Games (Analytical Reasoning) sections, you are allowed to answer questions in any order within a section, and select which section to complete first (only if working from paper, or according to official digital platform functions—always check current LSAT rules for your test format).
Some test-takers prefer to start with their strongest section to build confidence; others with their weakest, while energy is at its highest. There is no single rule: base your order on strengths, practice test data, and personal comfort.
Key Term: sectional order
The sequence in which you choose to attempt the LSAT sections and/or passages. Adjusting the order to match your preferences and skills can improve focus and overall performance.
PASSAGE AND QUESTION ORDER STRATEGY
Within each section, especially Reading Comprehension and Games, you may answer passages or games in any order.
- Skim the first few lines of each passage or setup and briefly view the number and difficulty type of questions.
- Select passages/games that look most manageable for your skills—concrete topics or clear setups often provide easier starting points.
- Leave more abstract, longer, or technical topics until later, tackling them only if you have time remaining.
For Logical Reasoning, questions generally start easier and grow harder, but exceptions occur. If you find yourself lost early, consider quickly skipping to another question.
Key Term: passage selection
The process of prioritizing which Reading Comprehension or Games passage/game you attempt first, based on its difficulty and your strengths.
PACING PRINCIPLES FOR EACH SECTION
The LSAT is strictly timed, with each section usually 35 minutes. You will not have time to dwell on every question, and accuracy is lost when rushing. The key is to find your personal balance between speed and precision.
- Games: Allocate 3-5 minutes to read and fully set up each game, including diagramming and making deductions. Use remaining time to answer questions, returning to your main diagram after each. Answer easier Specific questions before more open-ended General questions.
- Reading Comprehension: Spend 3-4 minutes actively reading the passage, annotating for main points and logic as you go. Aim to answer the shortest, Fact-based questions first, before returning to more abstract or inference-based ones.
- Logical Reasoning: Try to spend around 1-1.5 minutes per question. Answer those you feel confident about swiftly; if uncertain after two careful reads, flag to review or guess, and move on.
Key Term: pacing
The practice of managing your limited time in each section to maximize accuracy on questions attempted, typically by partitioning time across questions and task types.
WHEN TO GUESS, FLAG, OR SKIP
Some LSAT questions or sections can be particularly time-consuming. Successful test-takers develop the discipline to:
- skip difficult or confusing questions and return if time allows
- flag questions using the digital/test platform's system for easy return
- make educated guesses if time is running low, especially as there is no penalty for incorrect answers
- never leave a question unanswered at the section's end—random guessing is better than no answer
Exam Warning
There is no penalty for incorrect answers on the LSAT. Failing to answer a question is always worse than an incorrect guess.
PRACTICAL TIME-MANAGEMENT TIPS
- Keep a constant eye on the section timer.
- Spend no more than 1-2 minutes on any question before skipping.
- Use process of elimination to quickly narrow choices.
- Take a short mental reset—deep breath—after each passage or game.
- Trust your preparation: avoid “triple-checking” answers unless you have extra time left.
- For Reading Comprehension and Games, the order of questions within a passage usually does not matter—start with those with obvious references first.
Worked Example 1.1
You begin a Games section and immediately see that the third game is organized in a format you find easy (e.g. simple sequencing), whereas the first is an unusual hybrid game with complicated conditional rules. What should you do?
Answer:
Attempt the third game first. By starting with a familiar layout, you build momentum and bank correct answers early. Return to more complex games later if possible.
Worked Example 1.2
Midway through a Reading Comprehension passage, you’re stuck between two possible main point answer choices for a big-picture question and have spent more than a minute deliberating. What’s your best move?
Answer:
Make your best selection and move ahead. Mark the question for review; if time allows, return after completing easier questions.
Revision Tip
For practice, always time each section. Afterward, review where you lost extra minutes and which questions you answered incorrectly. Adjust your section order and question-skipping approach based on this data.
Key Point Checklist
This article has covered the following key knowledge points:
- Section and passage order can be chosen strategically within LSAT sections to suit your strengths
- Time-management in each section is critical: aim for steady pace and early identification of challenging items
- Guess any unanswered questions—never leave blanks at the end of a section
- Advance quickly through questions, flagging challenging items for review if time remains
- Practicing under test conditions is the best way to optimize pacing and order strategy
Key Terms and Concepts
- sectional order
- passage selection
- pacing