Do you read the Stimulus or Question Stem first?

Comments

• The 180 Bro_OVO Alum Inactive ⭐

  January 2017 1392 karma

  I've tried both and I feel that reading the question stem is generally far superior, for me at least.
  
  My reasoning is that by doing that you are able to approach the stimulus with a clear mind of instructions of what you're trying to do.
  
  This makes me faster, more focused, and a lot more accurate.
• 2 Likes

  danielznelson Alum Inactive Sage Inactive ⭐

  January 2017 4181 karma

  @"The 180 Bro_OVO" said:
  I've tried both and I feel that reading the question stem is generally far superior
  

  I agree completely. I know some companies like PowerScore recommend the opposite, and for the longest time, I did read the stimulus first. It takes some getting used to, but reading the question stem first is to me by far the better strategy.
  
• TheLSAT Member

  January 2017 301 karma

  @"The 180 Bro_OVO" @danielznelson Thank you for your feedback. Much appreciated.
• Cant Get Right Yearly + Live Member Sage ⭐ 🍌 7Sage Tutor

  January 2017 27899 karma

  Agreed. I tried both and found that identifying the question stem first was far superior. I get that the level of understanding I need to have in the stimulus doesn't change just because I know the question, but knowing what my task is allows me to read much more actively and with purpose. I can manage that without sacrificing understanding.
• friesan872 Free Trial Member

  January 2017 5 karma

  As I am preparing for LSAT, in a few weeks, I will take this into consideration! Thank you!
• 1 Like

  TheLSAT Member

  January 2017 301 karma

  @"Cant Get Right" thank you Josh.
• Seriousbird Alum Member

  January 2017 1278 karma

  When I first started prepping I read the stimulus first, it was really hard to break the habit and transition to reading the question stem first. However, once I made the change, I noticed such a dramatic difference in the way I read the material, how my eyes searched for a gap, or how the sentences fit together and using this methodology is definitely in my book the one to use!
• 3 Likes

  MrSamIam Inactive ⭐

  January 2017 2086 karma

  I started off reading the stim. first...another prep company advised against reading the question stem prior to reading the stim...I realized they were wrong.
  Reading the question stem first allows you to narrow your "search scope" and helps you quickly hone in on what the question is asking for.
  For instance, if I know I'm doing a MP/MC question, I'll know to look for the MP/MC before I even reach the end of the stimulus. More importantly, I won't bother wasting time trying to find flaws, assumptions, etc.
• 1 Like

  Sprinkles Alum Member ⭐

  January 2017 11542 karma

  I'm team question stem. My reasoning has already been mentioned above haha
• BinghamtonDave Alum Member ⭐ 🍌🍌

  January 2017 8711 karma

  I heard earlier this week on the LSAT podcast that those guys actually read the stimulus first. I didn't find their reasoning all that convincing, but to each their own. I personally have found reading the question stem first to be the better option for me.
• tjphilbrick Alum Member

  January 2017 174 karma

  definitely read the question stem first. Then you can read the stimulus and know what you're looking for, rather than reading the stimulus with no specific goal in mind and then having to re-read it once you know what the question stem is asking for.
• texvd1988 Member

  January 2017 605 karma

  I thought it had to be the question stem. That way you can pick out what you are looking for in the stimulus.