Speed Strategies

The LSAT is not a test you can take your time with. Each question practically comes with its own mini deadline. For example, in the Logical Reasoning section, test-takers often have slightly less than 1.5 minutes to read, analyze, and answer each question. In Reading Comprehension, you have around 8 to 9 minutes to read a passage and answer questions about it. The time restriction is real.

But it’s also a balancing act; you need to read quickly enough to finish all the questions but carefully enough to understand what’s being asked. Speed without accuracy is meaningless. If you’re rushing through questions so quickly that you’re making avoidable mistakes, then your speed is not an asset; it’s a liability. 

However, pacing is a skill, one that can be developed with consistent practice and strategic preparation. And, there are specific time-management strategies that can help you make the most of the available minutes.

The Fundamental Truth of Being Fast on the LSAT

There’s a fundamental truth about speed: speed comes from mastery.

First and foremost, you can’t be fast at something you don’t understand deeply, a thorough grasp of the material is the bedrock upon which speed is built. For instance, if you understand the common patterns in Logic Games, you won’t have to reinvent the wheel with each new question; you’ll instinctively know what to do. Similarly, if you’re familiar with the types of arguments typically presented in Logical Reasoning, you’ll be quicker to identify flaws or assumptions.

When you develop mastery you can absorb the information that’s being presented with a lot less friction.  If you don’t understand how to deal with what you’re given then you have to spend time thinking about it and the very fact that you don’t know what’s going on causes you to zone out.  I went into detail about this in another post but the takeaway is that having familiarity with the questions – their variations, what to look for to comprehend them, the difference between right and wrong answers, etc. makes a big difference in how fast you do them.  The thing to be aware of is that if you focus on mastery you’ll make advances with respect to speed.

While mastery is the cornerstone of speed, it’s not the only factor. There are general strategies that can supplement your mastery and further enhance your speed. These include skimming, time management tools, and specific approaches tailored to each section of the LSAT.

Speed Strategies for Logic Games

Many students make the mistake of judging a Logic Game by its initial appearance. A game might seem simple at first glance but quickly shows itself to be difficult when you get to the questions. The opposite is also true: a game that appears complicated may turn out to be relatively straightforward. As a general rule I tell my students that its not that helpful to judge the difficulty of a game on the basis of its complexity.  So how should you move through the games to maximize speed?

One such strategy is to begin with the shorter games. Order the games by the number of questions that you’re asked to do and start with the one that has the least.  It should take you less time to do since you’re doing less work and you’ll have more time for the games with more questions. This strategy can also have a psychological benefit; completing a game rapidly can give you a confidence boost that carries you through the longer games.

Another strategy is to start with games that you’re more comfortable with, and these tend to be the less complex games. If a game involves straightforward sequencing or only a few variables, it may be a good candidate to tackle first. Although it may not necessarily be easier, most students are less intimidated by those games and as a result are less distracted by anxiety and don’t give their anxiety a chance to derail them.  You’ll need to quickly scan each game to identify its complexity level and choose the best games to start with, allowing you to build momentum as you proceed.

Speed Strategies for Logical Reasoning (Arguments)

The ability to move quickly through these questions without sacrificing accuracy is critical to achieving a high score. Here are some speed strategies tailored specifically for this section.

The Questions in Logical Reasoning usually progress from easier to more difficult. The initial questions are generally straightforward and require less time to answer. Later questions, however, demand a deeper understanding and greater analytical skills. Being aware of this progression helps you allocate your time wisely.

One strategy I recommend to my students is the “10-in-10 Rule,” which suggests that you aim to complete the first ten questions in ten minutes. These are often less complex and can be answered more quickly, allowing you to accumulate time early on. This strategy frees up time to tackle the more challenging questions that appear later in the section.

Another variant of this strategy is the “15-in-15 Rule.” This rule advises you to aim to finish the first 15 questions in 15 minutes. While this is a more ambitious goal, it can be particularly effective for test-takers who have a stronger grasp of Logical Reasoning concepts. Just like the 10-in-10 Rule, the aim is to complete a significant chunk of the section quickly to allow more time for the challenging questions that lie ahead.

Being speedy in the Logical Reasoning section is not just about rushing through questions. It’s about understanding the inherent structure of the section and using that knowledge to your advantage.

Speed Strategies for Reading Comprehension

Speed strategies can help you navigate this section more efficiently without compromising your understanding. Here are some tailored approaches for Reading Comprehension.

Firstly, it’s essential to recognize that judging the difficulty of a passage just by glancing at it is impossible. Unlike Logic Games, where certain setups might be immediately recognizable as complex, Reading Comprehension passages often reveal their complexity gradually. So, don’t waste time trying to gauge the difficulty upfront; instead, have a flexible approach to each passage.

Skimming the first paragraph or even the first few sentences can give you an idea of the topic and whether it naturally interests you. When you’re engaged with the material, you’re likely to read faster and retain more, engagement boosts speed.When you’re engaged, your focus sharpens, and your mind processes information more efficiently.

Another strategy is to prioritize passages with fewer questions. Much like in the games section this approach allows you to gather more points in less time, freeing you up to focus on the more challenging passages later.

Like the other sections, Reading Comprehension requires a strategic approach to balance speed and understanding effectively. From choosing passages based on your natural interest to prioritizing those with fewer questions, these strategies can help you maximize both your time and score.

We’ve discussed the crucial role that mastery plays in gaining speed. Once you understand the fundamental principles behind each type of question, you can apply specific strategies to solve them more quickly.

If you found this blog post useful please share!