Hi everyone! Does anyone have advice for handling STEM-based reading comprehension passages?
I'm usually pretty good at reading comprehension, regardless of the topic, but for some reason, I really struggle with long STEM passages. It feels like my brain completely short-circuits, and no matter how hard I try, I can't absorb what I'm reading. I've tried slowing down, taking a break, and even reading aloud, but it doesn't help. I am still just staring at the page without understanding much of it.
I've never disliked science or had trouble understanding it at a basic level, so I'm not sure why these passages are giving me such a hard time.
I would really appreciate any advice or strategies that have helped others overcome this. Thank you!
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Hi there! STEM passages can definitely feel intimidating at first, but one thing that really helped me was realizing that the LSAT isn't actually testing your knowledge of the science. Instead, it's all about understanding the structure of the passage. Whenever I came across a technical term or a complicated process, I reminded myself not to get caught up in the details. Instead, I would ask, "Why is the author mentioning this?" and "How does this fit into the bigger picture?"
I also recommend treating unfamiliar scientific concepts like placeholders. For example, if you see a passage talking about a complicated biological process, you can just think of it as "Theory A" or "Process X." The key is to focus on how it connects to the other ideas in the passage, rather than worrying about the specifics.
Another tip is to pay close attention to transitions in the passage. Like Scott mentioned, a lot of STEM passages start with background information before they get to the main debate, discovery, or question. If you can spot where that shift happens, the passage will feel a lot more manageable.
Finally, try not to get discouraged if STEM passages seem tough at first. With some practice, you'll see that the same reading comprehension skills work whether the passage is about science, law, history, or art. You've got this!
Another strategy you could try is to more specifically diagnose the issue. While you're reading through the passage, catch yourself when you're stuck and write down some notes about why you got stuck. Was it a mechanism you didn't understand? A very technical definition? Hopefully when you have a large enough database, you can see which parts of it are giving you such a hard time. From there, you'll be more able to determine mental traps you need to avoid.
One thing that helped me tremendously with STEM passages was realizing that the science itself is not my main pursuit.
Most LSAT science passages devote a very large portion of the passage to required background information. And this background tends to lean heavily into the science. It's easy to feel like you're supposed to understand and retain all of it, but that's all actually the "background" that sets up a very short "discussion".
I tell my students to try to see the big picture the science background is creating, and this tends to happen best by focusing on the how the sequence of events and ideas being presented are building to a "moment".
And that "moment" is the subject of the discussion. The background section is often well over half the passage. The discussion section is often only a single paragraph.
As I'm reading, my other primary goal is identifying where the passage transitions from background information into the actual discussion.
Once you start looking for that transition, the background becomes much easier to manage because you're no longer trying to memorize every scientific detail. You're reading it as setup. And when you're looking for the transition, it becomes easier to spot as well.
And the short discussion section is usually where you'll find the author's real focus: the framed question and the main point of the passage.
In short: Rather than becoming an expert in the subject matter, track how the STEM information is setting up the short discussion.
I hope that helps!
@SCOTT_LEBO Thank you! I’m gonna try again and just focus on trying to at least identify the transition this week even if I can’t fully process the rest yet.
When reading those passages, I personally have to go SLOOOOOW. After each sentence, if there is a word I cannot clearly define, I stop and look it up. Then I return to the sentence and make sure I fully understand it. I do not move on until I can explain the sentence in my own words. It is a slow and rigorous process, but it steadily expands my vocabulary and improves my comprehension.
As I get more comfortable with the material, I start moving a little faster. After each paragraph, I create a simple “skeleton” or outline. I briefly note the purpose of the paragraph: Did it introduce a new topic? Support an argument? Provide evidence? Give an example? Then I write down a few key words that capture the paragraph’s main idea.
This process becomes easier with practice, and over time I get much faster. When I reach the questions, I can quickly look at my skeleton and remember what each paragraph was doing and the information it contained, instead of having to reread the entire passage. This process has helped me and I hope it helps you!
@Gibbbby.111 Thank you! I honestly keep forgetting I should be making notes as I do the test. I think making a skeleton will make it seem less complicated.