TAKE MY MONEY!!

No problem! I would also advise you to do problem sets to practice the previously mentioned tips and then do a PT!

Yes and no. Some questions (maybe even most) you will already have a strong enough understanding to blow through them with memory alone. However, sometimes you do have to go back to the passage. The thing is, since you spent so much time reading and understanding the passage, if you forgot what the critics said about marxism, it doesn’t matter because you know they are mentioned in p1. Therefore, you can QUICKLY reread whatever you need since you know where that information appears and hopefully already have a general idea. Whereas if you zoomed through the passage in 2 minutes, you’re gonna think to yourself “when the hell were critics mention? This passage is about Marxism?!!?” Then spend 2 minutes on a question rereading for a wonky answer instead of spending 30 seconds for a concrete one (2 mins initial reading +2min for answer = 4 for iffy/maybe right answer VERSUS 3:30 min initial read +:30 = 4 for a solid answer). Those numbers were admittedly pulled out of my ass (for lack of a better term), but that is the method to my madness :).

Btw the 3:30 time spent reading is just a general/average number. As you get more accustomed to this style of reading, you'll get faster and faster. Just start slowly with some problem sets to try and get the rhythm/muscle memory down. Please do not get discouraged if you don’t do amazing on your first couple of passages!! It will take a little bit of time for the muscle memory to develop! Good luck!

Interested!!

Disclaimer: I am no RC god by any means, I am still improving as well because it is my weakness too.

I started to find solid improvement by:

1- REALLY FOCUSING on POVs (author/scholars/critics - ANY POVS),

2 - focusing on how the passages are structured (EX: p1 - phenomenon and critics POV/ p2 - critique of critic's POV (author pov?)/ p3 alternative hypothesis proposed (by author?).

3 - Combine 1 and 2. Your approach to every RC passage will be the exact same! DO NOT just read to get a general idea of what the passage said.

Another tip - spend MORE time reading the passage! Some people say to spend like 2:30 on passages, FUCK THAT! Maybe these people are Gods at reading (good for them), but I am certainly not. I spend on average 3:30 reading a passage to get a full understanding so it allows me to do the questions faster. However, this could lead you to reading through the questions too fast - don't fall for this trap. I have never run out of time by spending more time reading the passages, I promise I am not joking here.

I hope something helped! If this is all repeated information to you, then you really are NOT applying these methods properly. With this approach, you'll pick up on the patterns of RC a lot easier (Ex: if scholars/critics are mentioned in passage, there will most likely be questions related to them).

If a God of RC has better advice, by all means we are awaiting your wise words!!!

Tldr: focus on POVs and know where they are/focus on hypoths and know where they are/know the structure of the passage before tackling the questions.

I feel attacked right now haha

I had a similar experience with the heart pounding due to ear plugs. During my first section, like you, all I could hear/focus on was the pounding sound of my heartbeat. My first section was RC, during the middle of my first passage I took my ear plugs out and that helped a lot - hearing your heart thumping only makes it worse. I was flipping out and debated on walking away in that moment. Im really glad I stuck with it because I think i scored well (only time will tell 😬). There was also a lawnmower going off outside but it didn’t produce a fraction of the noise of my heart rate. After RC, i got a hold of my nerves a bit so I then put my earplugs back in to finish the test. I would advise you to hold off on the earplugs until you complete your first section! If I were to take the test again, I would take this approach.

Im sorry to hear about your situation! I would advise you to do the writing sample regardless of the outcome. You just have to do the sample once, might as well get it out of the way to take some stress off your shoulders. With regards to canceling, that is a really tough call. You should wait to hear back from LSAC before making any concrete decision. I hope everything works out for you, best of luck!

@ said:

I took my first lsat today as well! ProctorU was surprisingly very easy and my proctor handled everything! It was so weird because I had LR, RC, LG and I totally blanked on LR I wasn’t retaining ANYTHING! But I skipped until I found a stimulus I could grasp and then wound up going back to the ones I missed. The RC wasn’t too bad, I didn’t feel too defeated. The LG wasn’t bad either. I just don’t know what to do with myself until the score release because during these past hours I’ve been super confident or super upset that I didn’t do as well I thought. How are you guys handling this anticipation lol? Also best of luck to those taking it in the next few days!

Im in the same boat as you, i keep wanting to feel like i did good but then i doubt myself because of RC/nerves - im trying to keep my anxiety at bay because only time will tell! Were not alone in our feelings im sure!

Hey guys! I just took the lsat today and im confident we had the same test based on your difficulty range (i completely agree with it). The first passage on RC kinda wrecked me because of NERVES - my heart was THUMPINGG :( but overall, it was certainly a fair test guys! The LR was stupid easy which also scares me - LG was typical! There was no misc. questions. I just hope the nerves didnt kill my score too much :( goodluck all! My advice is to meditate and try your best to not let the nerves get to you!! 100% easier than the 80s and 70s on terms of PTs, definitely in the 60- range