@WilRothman I think it most likely depends on the test-taker. I am aiming for similar scores to you, with time being a larger barrier to me than full comprehension. Given this, I have found that the split method is better for me. With a full understanding of just one passage, I am often able to answer (with accuracy) a significant majority of questions based on that and my own reasoning. The remaining questions are often answerable by skimming for keywords, meaning I can complete the section without using as much time actually reading.
@NoNamed92 As of my current studying, no. I tend to just try to make up time during that passage, as I will almost certainly need it elsewhere. Honestly though, that's not a bad idea. If I am doomed to be more pressed for time during the last passage I complete, it would definitely be better for that passage to be one whose questions can be answered based on inferences rather than more time consuming reading. I'll be taking another full PT in a few days; I'll give that strat a shot if I get a comparative passage.
Apparently, there will no longer be a guaranteed comparative passage in each test anymore... Make sure to look it up yourselves but that's what I read on the internet from the January 2026 test takers (with LSAC allegedly confirming this)
My concern about the split approach, apart from timing, is that sometimes I find the second passage easier to understand than the first and for the questions that ask about both passages, I'm better able to eliminate answers using my understanding of the second passage.
Yeah. At first glance, the split approach sounds crazy but I'm realizing that questions will explicitly indicate which passage is relevant. So, it's possible
I've been using it for a few months and I find it really helpful! The main issue is timing but that gets easier with practice. Eliminating answers based on passage A helps you move through the questions a lot more efficiently after you've gone back to passage B though
Excellent tips in this lesson. I can see myself doing the split approach to save time once I get Passage A, clearly answer (hopefully) those questions then go on to Passage B.
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anyone from the future have any recommendations on which one is more useful?
Quick question (not applicable to everyone):
If we're aiming for very high scores (172+), is the split approach or the sequential approach necessarily better than the other?
@WilRothman I think it most likely depends on the test-taker. I am aiming for similar scores to you, with time being a larger barrier to me than full comprehension. Given this, I have found that the split method is better for me. With a full understanding of just one passage, I am often able to answer (with accuracy) a significant majority of questions based on that and my own reasoning. The remaining questions are often answerable by skimming for keywords, meaning I can complete the section without using as much time actually reading.
@ColinH05 do you leave the comparative passage for last? If it came up 2nd would you skip and leave for last for timing?
@NoNamed92 As of my current studying, no. I tend to just try to make up time during that passage, as I will almost certainly need it elsewhere. Honestly though, that's not a bad idea. If I am doomed to be more pressed for time during the last passage I complete, it would definitely be better for that passage to be one whose questions can be answered based on inferences rather than more time consuming reading. I'll be taking another full PT in a few days; I'll give that strat a shot if I get a comparative passage.
@ColinH05 How did it go?
Apparently, there will no longer be a guaranteed comparative passage in each test anymore... Make sure to look it up yourselves but that's what I read on the internet from the January 2026 test takers (with LSAC allegedly confirming this)
My concern about the split approach, apart from timing, is that sometimes I find the second passage easier to understand than the first and for the questions that ask about both passages, I'm better able to eliminate answers using my understanding of the second passage.
Great. I thought I was at the end of it but noooo
My first instinct was Split Approach sounds insane, but maybe it will be easier?
Yeah. At first glance, the split approach sounds crazy but I'm realizing that questions will explicitly indicate which passage is relevant. So, it's possible
I've been using it for a few months and I find it really helpful! The main issue is timing but that gets easier with practice. Eliminating answers based on passage A helps you move through the questions a lot more efficiently after you've gone back to passage B though
Excellent tips in this lesson. I can see myself doing the split approach to save time once I get Passage A, clearly answer (hopefully) those questions then go on to Passage B.
Is there a list or resource that shows which prep tests have these kinds of passages? So far in the PTs I have taken, I have not encountered these.
PT101 to 122 do not have comparatives (because they are older tests). PT123 and beyond have comparatives.
Thank you, that makes sense since I have only done PTs 101-110 so far.