LSAT Pre-Prep Practice:
 Conceded vs Asserted: What the author admits or grants often to
sound reasonable vs. What the author actively claims is true and trying
to persuade you of.
 LSAT tries to trick you by making the conceded point sound strong.
 Method for logic reasoning (LR):
o The same mental steps `for each question.
o Step 1: Identify the conclusion (e.g., what is the author trying to
prove if you can’t answer that, stop, and reread).
o Step 2: Identify the evidence (e.g., what facts or reasons are used
to support that conclusion).
o Step 3: Identify the gap (e.g., What would have to be true for this
evidence to actually prove the conclusion). That gap = assumption/
flaw/ vulnerability.
o Step 4: Read the question carefully (e.g., is it asking to: strengthen,
weaken, find an assumption, identify a flaw, and draw an
inference). Each type has a specific job, not a general “pick the
best one”.
o Step 5: Pre-Phase briefly. Before looking at the answers, predict
what the right answer will probably say.
o Step 6: Eliminate wrong answers for reasons. Wrong answers
usually: (If you can’t answer why the answer is wrong, don’t
answer the question).
 Go beyond the conclusion (too strong).
 Address the wrong issue.
 Reverse logic.
 Talk about something irrelevant.
o LR: 25-26 questions, 1 minute 20 seconds per min.
o Step 7: check that the correct answer does exactly what the
question asks – no more, no less.
 Strengthen does not equal prove. Weaken does not equal
destroy. Necessary assumption does not equal sufficient
assumption.
 Method for Reading Comprehension (RC): The RC isn’t about
reading fast, memorizing details, or enjoying the passage. It’s about
identifying who thinks what, tracking why the passage exists, and
understanding how the argument is built. You are not reading to learn;
you are reading to map out the argument.
o Step 1: before you read (5 seconds). Tell yourself: My job is to
find the author’s purpose, position, and structure. That’s it. No
skimming, no speeding tricks.
o Step 2: Read the passage in 3-4 minutes (the right way). As you
are reading you should ask yourself:
 Who is speaking: Author? Researchers? Critics? Two
competing groups?
 What is each paragraph doing: Introducing a debate?
Giving a background? Criticizing a view? Proposing a
solution?
 What is the author’s attitude: neutral? Critical? Supportive?
Mixed, but learning?
 Mentally label these, not memorizing.
o Step 3: Paragraph by paragraph mapping (in your head). You
should finish each paragraph able to say one short sentence about
it. Example: P1: introduces traditional view. P2: Explains the
problem with the view. P3: Presents new alternative. P4: Defends
the alternative and concludes.
o Step 4: Identify the AUTHOR’S POSITION (this is critical). Ask: if
the author had to defend one idea in court, what would it be?
Watch for: Evaluative words: Fails to, more convincing, better
explanation, undermines. Contrast words: However, but, yet,
nevertheless. Conceded vs. Asserted. Trap answers often: Say
the author is neutral (He is not). Describe the conceded answer
as the main point.
o Step 5: Read the questions by type. Types & how to handle
them:
1. Main point / Primary purpose:
 What they’re asking: “The author’s main purpose is
to…”
 Method: Ignore details. Focus on the overall
argument and the author’s stance.
 Wrong answers usually: Focus on one paragraph
only. Are too narrow or too broad. Describe
background instead of argument.
2. Author’s attitude:
 What they’re asking: “How does the author feel
about X?”
 Method: Look for evaluative language. Mild criticism
does not equal hostility. Support with reservations
does not equal endorsement.
 LSAT loves subtle tones: Qualified approval
measured skepticism, cautious optimism. Avoid
extreme words unless the passage is clearly extreme.
3. Structure / Organization:
 What are they asking: “Why does the author Mention
X?” “What role does paragraph 2 play?”
 Method: Return to your mental map. Ask: “What job
does this part do in the argument?”
 Wrong answers often: Describe content, not function.
Misstate the paragraph’s role.
4. Details / Specific Reference:
 What they’re asking: “according to the passage…”
“The author states that…”
 Method: Go back to the passage. Do not rely on
memory. Read 2-3 lines around the reference.
 Correct answers: Paraphrase the text. Don’t add
interpretation.
5. Inferences / Must Be True:
 What they’re asking: Which of the following is most
strongly supported?
 Method: Treat it like a LR reference. The answer
must: follow from the text, be conservative.
 Wrong answers often: Go beyond the passage. Make
causal claims not stated. Use absolute knowledge.
6. Comparative passages (A/B):
 Method: 1- Read passage A fully. 2- Identify passage
A’s purpose and position. 3- Read passage B fully. 4Identify how B relates to A: agree, disagree, refine,
apply. Key rule: don’t blend them together.
 Wrong answers: Attribute A’s views to B. Claim
agreement when there’s only overlap.
o Step 6: Eliminate answers mechanically. For each wrong answer,
be able to say: too extreme, not supported, describes the wrong
viewpoint, talks about detail not purpose, contradicted by the
passage.
o Step 7: Timing rules. Per passage:
 3-4 minutes reading.
 5-6 minutes questions
 Total: 8-9 minutes.
 If stuck: Skip and move on. RC punishes tunnel vision.
o Step 8: Review RC like a high scorer. For every missed question:
 What was the author’s main point.
 What was the question type.
 Why is the right answer right in the author’s words.
 Why is this answer tempting but wrong.
 What pattern did I fall for.
 Common patterns: Overreading, extreme language,
confusing background with argument, forgetting whose
view is whose.
o One sentence to remember: RC is not about understanding
everything – it’s about understanding the structure and the
author’s stance.
o RC: 35 minutes 4 passages. 3-4 minutes reading the passage. 5-6
mins answering the questions. Total per passage: 8-9 minutes.
 Full PTs: 30. December: 2. January: 8. February: 8. March: 12. April: 4
 Ideal time per day: 30 - 40% doing questions. 60 - 70% reviewing
questions.
 Other tips for LR’s:
o First-Pass time cap, 90 seconds max. If unclear, flag, then return.
o Skip triggers: Skip immediately if, you can’t paraphrase the
conclusion, you can’t identify the flaw after one read. Two answer
choices both seem plausible after elimination. Skip does not equal
failure; skip equals strategy.
o Flagging strategy: On your first pass, flag: Parallel