Speeding Up On the LSAT
A lot of folks struggle with timing on the LSAT. Clearly, if the test were un-timed, we’d all find it a lot easier. Since we have only 35 minutes per section, if you’re having trouble finishing on time, it’s important to address your pacing.
There are several reasons folks struggle with pacing:
1. Not enough full practice under time conditions. If you’re just starting out, your mind is probably not used to the pace at which it needs to work. I know that I generally equate a good read with a slow read — but that simply doesn’t work for the LSAT. You probably can speed up considerably by just telling yourself to speed up! From now on, every problem you try should be done with a stopwatch. Also make sure you’re throwing in full practice tests along the way. Don’t wait until you’re done learning all your strategies to work on your speed.
2. Ineffective strategies. Some ways of tackling problems would work just fine if the LSAT were untimed but breakdown under time pressure. For example, in logic games, writing out all the possible scenarios doesn’t work for the vast majority of games. In reading comprehension, you simply do not have enough time to do a full re-read. In logical reasoning, you can’t wait until you’ve read the question to start thinking critically about an argument you’ve already read — you need to be reading critically from the outset.
This problem turns up more frequently with folks who are not using a book to study with, though even those who are in a course can fall prey to this problem if they don’t do timed practice, which often forces them to realize that they must indeed use the strategies they’re learning about.
3. Lack of automaticity. There are some tough questions on the LSAT that are going to require more than the typical amount of time. To “buy” this time, a significant number of questions must be relatively easy to do quickly. To achive that, the plan of attack needs to be practiced until it doesn’t require a conscious initiation. Some people think they should only focus on the questions that are difficult for them, but it’s also worth practicing solving the “easy” ones very quickly. This will also help a great deal with the questions that would otherwise send you for a tailspin; knowing how to start and what to look for is crucial.
4. Test anxiety and poor time management. Unfortunately, some of those who would otherwise do very well on the LSAT score well below their potential because of test anxiety. There are a lot of techniques for batttling this, ranging from desensitization (high-pressure practice tests) to meditation (deep calm breath while bubbling in . . .). If you suffer from this type of anxiety, don’t wait until the last few weeks to work on this. Incorporate it into your prep from day one.
As for basic time management, know your timing benchmarks and practice using them. You can’t just say “I’ll be careful on the test, but this is just a practice test.” You must practice your timing plan. You also need to have a personal strategy. When I face a tough LR problem, I answer it, circle the problem on my test and move on with the plan to return to it when I finish the rest of the test. I rarely find time to do that, but it’s comforting knowing that I’ve planned to do so! Most importantly, my plan allows me to keep moving.
Here’s a basic guideline (and be reasonable, if you’re shooting for a 168, use the top guidelines):
For 165+
LG: 7, 8, 9, 10 (one game in 7 minutes, one game in 8 . . . and the first game isn’t always the easiest, so don’t rely on that)
RC: 7, 8, 9, 10 (one passage in 7 minutes, one game in 8 . . .)
LR: First fifteen in 18 minutes, last 10 or so in 17 minutes
For 175+
LG: 6, 7, 8, 9
RC: 6, 7, 8, 9
LR: First fifteen in 15 minutes, last 10 or so in 20 minutes
Good luck!