Self-study
In reading the Logical Loophole book, I was taught to always read the stimulus first; however, I have been thinking it might be better to read the question stem first on some questions. For example, on questions where you have to accept the truth of the argument, like NA for example, it is not very useful to analyze the argument because you have to accept it as true. What do you think?
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5 comments
I skim the question first, to identify what kind of question it is, then I go through the stimulus
It probably doesn't matter too much IMO. Anyone can get a high score with either approach. I would probably recommend choosing whichever approach feels most comfortable/performs best for YOU specifically. I personally like reading the stem first, so I can sort of get in the "mood" of what I need to do for a certain question.
I found stem first method very helpful! After learning and establishing different skills for different types of question, this method enabled me to solve questions much more efficiently and faster.
We should analyze the argument on NA! Thinking about why the argument is flawed helps in understanding what the argument has to assume and why it has to assume it.
But setting that aside, I am in favor of Stem first, because if it's a Main Conclusion question or Argument Part question or Method of Reasoning question, I'll know that I won't need to evaluate why the author's argument is flawed. I also like knowing that something is a Resolve/Reconcile question or Must Be True question so I know that there's no conclusion that's expected and that I don't need to reread to find a conclusion.
Lots of people will disagree, though. Ultimately you should try both methods for yourself and see which one you're more comfortable with.
@Kevin_Lin Thanks!