LSAT Reading Comprehension — Skills, Question Types, and High-Accuracy Methods

Reading Comprehension (RC)

A reasoning test using long-form writing to assess a student's ability to interpret and analyze texts.

Defensible interpretation

An interpretation of a passage that fits the author's writing, respects their logic, and accounts for structure and viewpoints.

Model-building

Constructing a mental framework of the passage's thesis, purpose, and structure.

Textual discipline

The act of selecting answers that are supported by the passage rather than those that appear merely plausible.

Intentional structure

The deliberate organization of LSAT passages that often follow a crafted argument or explanation.

Common building blocks of LSAT passages

Context/background, problem/tension, thesis/main claim, support, concessions, limitations, implications.

Background view

A commonly held belief that the author may critique or challenge.

Attribution signals

Phrases like 'some scholars argue' or 'critics claim' that indicate different perspectives within a passage.

Author stance

The author's position regarding the views presented, which can be approval, skepticism, neutrality, or partial agreement.

Function questions

Questions that ask why a specific sentence or paragraph exists in the passage.

Pivot words

Words like 'however', 'but', or 'yet' that indicate a shift in the author's argument.

Inference questions

Questions that ask what can be concluded from the passage based on claims and evidence.

Detail questions

Questions focused on specific facts or claims made within the passage.

Active reading

Reading with a purpose, aiming to summarize and outline the passage's structure and main points.

Passage map

A mental outline of the main point, purpose, organization, and viewpoints of a passage.

Claim

An assertion made within the passage that may be contestable.

Support

Evidence or reasoning provided to back up a claim.

Qualifier

Terms that limit the scope of a claim, such as 'often' or 'in some cases'.

Conclusion/takeaway

The main idea or final message that the author wants the reader to understand.

Comparative Reading

The section of the LSAT where two passages are presented together for analysis and comparison.

Main point

The central takeaway the author advocates in the passage.

Primary purpose

The main rhetorical task the author is attempting to achieve with the passage.

Organization questions

Questions that ask about the structural sequence and roles of parts of the passage.

Half-right answer

A choice that contains some accurate information but fails to fully solve the problem posed by the question.

Tone/attitude questions

Questions assessing the author's sentiment toward a topic, often indicated by word choice.

Context questions

Questions that ask for the meaning of a specific word or phrase in the context of the passage.

Logical consequence

The relationship where a conclusion follows directly from two or more premises.

Scope shift

When an answer choice over-generalizes a claim made in the passage.

Strength shift

When an answer choice alters the degree of certainty, making a suggestion into a proof.

Comparative sets

Passages that pair two viewpoints on a topic, used in LSAT Comparative Reading.

Cross-passage questions

Questions that refer to both passages in a comparative reading set.

Detail retrieval

The ability to efficiently locate specific information within the passage.

Timing strategy

Developing a method to use time effectively during the LSAT without rushing.

Structural understanding

Comprehension of how the parts of a passage contribute to the overall argument.

Rhetorical signals

Indicators in the text that help ascertain the author's tone or stance.

Active re-reading

The strategic rereading of passages with a focus on confirming interpretations.

Review as skill diagnosis

Analyzing missed questions to determine underlying reading comprehension issues.

Functional note

A succinct annotation summarizing the role of a paragraph or sentence within a passage.

Qualifying language

Terms that introduce a level of uncertainty or conditions in the author's claims.

Intellectual engagement

An approach to reading that fosters curiosity about the author's argument rather than passive consumption.

Pacing strategy

A planned approach to managing time effectively during the LSAT.

Causal claims

Statements made in the passage that establish a cause-and-effect relationship.

Local questions

Questions that ask about specifics within a particular section of text.

Global questions

Questions that pertain to the overall message or structure of the entire passage.

Viewpoint discipline

The practice of maintaining clarity on which author's perspective is being discussed.

Aggregate reasoning

Combining evidence from multiple parts of a passage to form a conclusion.

Passage retracing

Returning to the text for verification of answers in detail and function questions.