The LSAT Reading Comprehension section consists of four passages between 400-500 words. Each passage is followed by a set of 5-8 questions, for a total of 26-28 questions. You will have only 35 minutes to complete the section, so mastering a foolproof strategy is essential to getting a high score.

Chapter Summary

While you’re reading the passages, perform these five steps:

1. Passage Classification: Determine the passage topic,  structure, and presentation style.

  • Topics: Science, Law, Cultural Studies, Society
  • Structure: Opinion, Debate, Synthesis
  • Presentation: Inquiry/Explanation, Case Study, Cause and Effect, Categories

2. Analyzing Paragraphs: Break down each paragraph. Look for the main idea, tone, and transitions.

3. Passage Mapping: Make a road map of the essay and/or draw an outline.

4. Find the Big Idea: Look for “slam on the brakes language” that makes an important point. Some common places for the main idea are:

  • First paragraph: first sentence
  • First paragraph: last sentence
  • Last paragraph: anywhere

5. Determine Purpose: Identify the conflicting perspectives within the essay, and the author’s point-of-view.

Question Types

LSAT Reading Comprehension includes “Macro” questions that test general themes about the essay and “Micro” questions that involve minor details or expanding upon them. Macro questions were covered in the 5 Steps section.

Micro Questions

1. Detail of the Passage questions require you to find the answer that paraphrases something the author says in the passage. Use information in the relevant section to select the correct answer choice.

2. Definition of a Term questions require you to determine the meaning of a term used in the passage. Focus on the sentences surrounding the term to get a sense of its meaning.

3. Support for a Premise questions require you to identify how the author supports an assertion made in the passage. Look for evidence such as examples, statistics, and logical arguments.

4. Function of a Passage Part questions require you to determine why the author included a certain part of the passage. Generally, each part of a passage functions to:

  • Support a point made elsewhere in the passage (maybe the Main Idea).
  • Show why two things are similar or different.
  • Clarify a point.

5. Inference questions require you to go beyond the passage and determine what is implied. Think about which answer is best supported by the facts of the passage alone.

If you feel unclear about any of the topics discussed thus far, be sure to go back and review the corresponding section. When you’re ready, take the following quizzes below to practice Reading Comprehension questions.

Next LSAT: Sep 08/ Sep 09

Practice Essays

READING COMP REVIEW - 1 (Oryx)

Adaptive

Directions

  1. Select choices and press the right arrow to continue.
  2. Press Pause/Continue to start or stop the timer.
  3. To highlight content, highlight it with your cursor and then click the "crayon" icons.
  4. Press the explanation button to view all the question explanations. Scroll through the buttons to view the different questions.
  5. You can flag questions.

Instructions

This is an adaptive drill: The questions will get harder or easier depending on your performance. You can't go backwards or change prior answers.

  1. Flag a question.
  2. Mark text.
  3. Eliminate choice.
  4. Fullscreen.
  5. Delete data and redo.

Complete: 0 / 9 correct

Time Expired!

Please select an answer first

You can’t navigate between
questions on this adaptive drill.
The test adapts to your performance.

Paused

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All progress will be deleted.

Are you sure you want to end the
test and view explanations?

Score Report

Question 9
00:00 / 00:00

READING COMP REVIEW - 2 (Tacitus)

Adaptive

Directions

  1. Select choices and press the right arrow to continue.
  2. Press Pause/Continue to start or stop the timer.
  3. To highlight content, highlight it with your cursor and then click the "crayon" icons.
  4. Press the explanation button to view all the question explanations. Scroll through the buttons to view the different questions.
  5. You can flag questions.

Instructions

This is an adaptive drill: The questions will get harder or easier depending on your performance. You can't go backwards or change prior answers.

  1. Flag a question.
  2. Mark text.
  3. Eliminate choice.
  4. Fullscreen.
  5. Delete data and redo.

Complete: 0 / 7 correct

Time Expired!

Please select an answer first

You can’t navigate between
questions on this adaptive drill.
The test adapts to your performance.

Paused

Are you sure you want to refresh?
All progress will be deleted.

Are you sure you want to end the
test and view explanations?

Score Report

Question 7
00:00 / 00:00

READING COMP REVIEW - 3 (Anthropology)

Adaptive

Directions

  1. Select choices and press the right arrow to continue.
  2. Press Pause/Continue to start or stop the timer.
  3. To highlight content, highlight it with your cursor and then click the "crayon" icons.
  4. Press the explanation button to view all the question explanations. Scroll through the buttons to view the different questions.
  5. You can flag questions.

Instructions

This is an adaptive drill: The questions will get harder or easier depending on your performance. You can't go backwards or change prior answers.

  1. Flag a question.
  2. Mark text.
  3. Eliminate choice.
  4. Fullscreen.
  5. Delete data and redo.

Complete: 0 / 6 correct

Time Expired!

Please select an answer first

You can’t navigate between
questions on this adaptive drill.
The test adapts to your performance.

Paused

Are you sure you want to refresh?
All progress will be deleted.

Are you sure you want to end the
test and view explanations?

Score Report

Question 6
00:00 / 00:00

READING COMP REVIEW - 4 (WW1)

Adaptive

Directions

  1. Select choices and press the right arrow to continue.
  2. Press Pause/Continue to start or stop the timer.
  3. To highlight content, highlight it with your cursor and then click the "crayon" icons.
  4. Press the explanation button to view all the question explanations. Scroll through the buttons to view the different questions.
  5. You can flag questions.

Instructions

This is an adaptive drill: The questions will get harder or easier depending on your performance. You can't go backwards or change prior answers.

  1. Flag a question.
  2. Mark text.
  3. Eliminate choice.
  4. Fullscreen.
  5. Delete data and redo.

Complete: 0 / 8 correct

Time Expired!

Please select an answer first

You can’t navigate between
questions on this adaptive drill.
The test adapts to your performance.

Paused

Are you sure you want to refresh?
All progress will be deleted.

Are you sure you want to end the
test and view explanations?

Score Report

Question 8
00:00 / 00:00
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